Ministry Praxis Capstone – RLGN 489
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course is designed to allow the student to utilize skills and insights acquired during the completion of the undergraduate program in religious studies. A range of biblical and theological concepts taught in the program are reinforced, and new dimensions are explored. This helps ensure that the key ideas from the undergraduate religion program are mastered and that opportunities are presented for the student to put these concepts into practice.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The goal of this course is to provide the student an opportunity to develop a biblical theology of ministry based on the course content and experiences developed during one’s program. Each assignment will be integrative and culminate in a final project that can serve as a professional portfolio. To that end, the student will be expected to construct a biblical rationale for ministry, engage with ministry leaders, plan and execute an event, and engage in reflection for the purpose of evaluation and assessment.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions (5)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread of 100–150 words in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each response will demonstrate course-related knowledge. The student must post 1 reply of 100-150 words. Except for the final Discussion, where the student will post one thread containing the link to his/her ministry event video and the Ministry Event Assessment Template, then post 1 reply of at least 50 words. (CLOs: A, B, C)
Ministry Credo Assignments (2)
Preparation for ministry relies heavily on the ability of the student to articulate his/her understanding of ministry based on a proper theological and biblical rationale. In this assignment, using the reading material and discussion content, along with scripture (and other sources if the student so chooses), the student will craft a response to “What I believe about ministry.” This will be a two-part assignment. The student must demonstrate what he/she believes about ministry formation by addressing essential components. This assignment must be 500–700 words, not including the title page and bibliography. (CLO: A)
Ministry Leadership Profile Assignment
This assignment provides an overview and summary of ministry leadership by developing a profile of a current contexts. This Profile will include various levels of engagement with ministry leadership, including personal and professional development. The Profile must include engagement with Handshake, a professional network for Liberty students and alumni. The PowerPoint presentation must be a minimum of 10 slides. The video montage must be 5 minutes in length. The narrative summary must be 250–500 words. (CLO: B)
Ministry Event Strategic Plan Assignment
Successful event planning in ministry demands a well-developed strategic plan. This assignment will allow the student to lay out the building blocks for a ministry event, face-to-face or virtual. In anticipation of executing a live event for this course, the student will begin developing a plan that will guide and inform proper planning. The Strategic Plan assignment must be written in narrative form, between 500-1,000 words. (CLO: C)
Digital Ministry Engagement Assignment
One of the fastest-growing areas of ministry development is in the area of digital ministries. The student will be asked to attend an online service and provide a summary reflection. This reflection must be between 200 – 400 words. (CLO: B)
Ministry Event Assignment
The student is required to conduct a live virtual, face-to-face, or hybrid ministry event during this course. This could take the form of a workshop, seminar, community event, Sunday school class, lecture series, youth event, Bible study, small group event, or an acceptable alternative (pending approval by the course professor). This event should be a minimum of 30 minutes but not exceed more than a day-long activity. The student will lead or conduct an event and provide at least a 5-minute video presentation of some portion of the event. (CLO: C)
