Outline one of the following social issues and discuss the repercussions it has had for pastoral ministry.
Students must choose one of the following essay tasks to complete, using at least eight academic references. Please note: an abstract is required for this assignment, along with a cover sheet.
1. “It is the responsibility of pastoral leaders to focus predominantly on the spiritual needs of the people.” Discuss.
2. “Effectively ministering in the twenty-first century means that we have to be willing to engage with postmodernism.” After outlining the main origins and dynamics of postmodernism, discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.
3. Outline one of the following social issues and discuss the repercussions it has had for pastoral ministry. From this, describe at least two courses of action that could be incorporated into your local church to assist congregants impacted by this issue:
a. The increasing age of marriage
b. Second-wave feminism
c. Non-standard working hours (i.e. a decrease in the number of people working Mon-Fri, 9-5)[I\’d like to choose the third point, but I\’m not sure which one…][Please use Turabian format (include footnote), thank you.]
[Some reference materials:
Pattinson, S & Woodward, J. The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2000, 27-48.Tidball, Derek. Ministry by the Book. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008, 235-246.
Miner, Maureen H. “Changes in Burnout Over the First 12 Months in Ministry: Links with Stress and Orientation to Ministry.” Mental Health, Religion & Culture 10, vol. 1 (Jan, 2007): 9-16.
Nouwen, Henri JM. The Wounded Healer. New York: Doubleday, 1979, 81-96.Franklin, Cynthia & Fong, Rowena. The Church Leader’s Counselling Resource Book: A Guide to Mental Health and Social Problems. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, 3-12.
Harkness, Allan G. “Intergenerational Education for Intergenerational Church?” Religious Education 93, vol.4, (1998): 431-447.Catford, C. “Women’s Experiences: Challenges for Female Leaders in Pentecostal Contexts,” in Clifton, S. & Grey, J. Raising Women Leaders. Sydney: APS, 2009, 26-50.
Norman Shawchuck & Roger Heuser, Managing the Congregation, (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 1996), 182-204.
Grenz, SJ. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, 166-172.Pack, K. “Single and Sexual: The Challenge of Holiness as Unmarried Christians.” Crux 40, no. 2, (Summer 2010): 13-18.]
Answer preview to outline one of the following social issues and discuss the repercussions it has had for pastoral ministry.
APA
2568 words
