SURVIVING & THRIVING IN THE MINISTRY: THE GRACE, GRIT AND GAUZE OF REAL MINISTRY RTS Orlando 2DM861 Elective January 18-21, 2010 (Monday morning to Thursday evening) Steve Brown DESCRIPTION It’s one thing to start ministry well. It’s something completely different to finish well. Learn how to keep your nose above the water line without leaving the ministry. This is a “dirt under the fingernails” course that is rooted in the practical application of the biblical and theological riches of God’s transforming grace for you in Jesus. This course is designed to teach you how to laugh again and dance in the presence of God by learning more about God’s radical love for you in Christ—even in the midst of all your crushing personal and ministry pressures/failures. Come experience a “safe place” that culminates Thursday evening with an informal meal, Q & A, closed-door discussion (even about the “hard” questions), and prayer. INSTRUCTOR Dr. Steve Brown is a former pastor with over twenty-five years of ministry in churches, seventeen of those years at Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church in Miami, Florida. He recently earned the title of “Professor Emeritus” at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and will be teaching modular courses on many RTS campuses. Steve is also a visiting preacher at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Willow Creek Presbyterian, Northland Church in Orlando, and Seven Rivers Presbyterian in Crystal River, Florida, as well as in other churches and organizations. Steve is the founder and president of Key Life Network, Inc. He has an extensive international media. He is also a contributing writer and editor for many Christian publications, and is an international conference speaker. Some of his books include: How to Talk So People Will Listen, Heirs with the Prince, Born Free, Living Free, If God is in Charge, When Your Rope Breaks, Approaching God, When Being Good Isn’t Good Enough, Follow the Wind: Our Lord, the Holy Spirit, Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking?Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry, Winter 2010 407.366.9493 or [email protected] 2REQUIREMENTS There will be 2000 pages of new reading (not having been previously read by the student) assigned for the course. The required reading for all students is designated on the “Reading List” below. If required reading texts cannot be found, the student may substitute other books from the list. If substitutions must be made, students are to read the highly recommended books on the reading list. All readings for the course must be taken directly from the list unless otherwise approved by the professor. 1) Reading Assignments & Reports Doctor of Ministry (credit) students are required to report each book, sermon or article read on the standard “Reading Report” format available in this course syllabus. Reading Reports should be submitted on the first day of class, all at once and be stapled. All reading reports not turned in on the first day of class are to be turned in with the course integration paper in approximately three months. Students will receive a grade reduction for late Reading Reports unless otherwise approved by the professor. Non-credit (audit) students do not submit reports. 2) Online Discussions & Church Evaluation In this course, you will be required to examine the layers of ecclesiastical, institutional and personal issues which have layered over and robbed you and your church of the power of grace. To that end, you will be required to: 1) Your contribution will be monitored by your Visit http://www.poopedpastors.com/, and participate by starting a “thread” on a “forum” section of the website with a subject that has grown out of your reading/work/class discussion from this course. professor and will help determine your grade. 2) Design and apply a study instrument that will ascertain the reality of your members’ understanding and application of grace. You should begin working on this as soon as possible to allow time for your congregation’s response and for you to prepare your summary and evaluation by April 30, 2010. 3) Post-Class Integration Paper Students are required to write a 15-20 page (double–spaced, 12 point font) course integration paper. This paper must reflect new work done by the student as a result of this course. The paper must demonstrate the student’s Theology of Grace and show how the biblical and theological concepts learned in the class lectures AND course readings can be applied to the student’s personal life and ministry today. The paper must also include the “Church Evaluation” (above) and a specific plan for the student’s continued growth in grace (spiritual formation plan) and application of the course concepts to his/her personal life and ministry in the future. The integration paper is due April 30, 2010 (received hardcopy in D.Min. office) unless special arrangements have been made with the professor prior to the end of the class work. The paper (hardcopy) must be mailed to: RTS D.Min. Office, Attn: Joyce Sisler. 1231 Reformation Drive, Orlando, FL 32765. International students may e-mail their work.Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry, Winter 2010 407.366.9493 or [email protected] 3 READING LIST Please read approximately 2000 pages of new reading & write a standard one-page report on each book Highly Recommended if you have not read before: Bridges, Jerry and Bob Bevington. The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness. Crossway Books, 2007, 290 pages. ISBN: 9780801013133. Brown, Steve. A Scandalous Freedom. Howard Books, 2004. 224 pages. ISBN: 9781582293929 Brown, Steve. Born Free: How to Find Radical Freedom and Infectious Joy in an Authentic Faith. Ravens Ridge, 1994, 206 pages. ISBN: 9780801010699 Brown, Steve. Living Free: How to Find Radical Freedom and Infectious Joy in an Authentic Faith. Baker, 1995. 186 pages. ISBN: 978801010941 Brown, Steve. What Was I Thinking? Howard Books, 2006. 224 pages. ISBN: 9781582295701 Chapell, Bryan. Holiness by Grace. Crossway Books, 2003. 288 pages. ISBN: 9781581344653 Isaacs, Susan. Angry Conversations With God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir. FaithWorks, 2009, 250 pages. ISBN: 9781599950624 Miller, John C. A Faith Worth Sharing: A Lifetime of Conversations about Christ. R&R