SIX MODULES ON FORMATION FOR MINISTRY

Welcome to the program description page that describes six modules on formation for ministry at The Samuel Proctor School of Theology. Master of Divinity students will participate in these modules over the course of six or more semesters. Each of the modules is attached to a core academic course in the M.Div. curriculum. Students will meet with the module presenters on a Saturday at a location to be designated by the course instructor. The modules are cumulative and therefore must be taken in order. The presenters for each module are staff members at the Center for Career Development and Ministry in Dedham, Massachusetts. Additional staff are individuals with previous affiliations to the Samuel Proctor community. The first two core courses and their related modules are:

ID 500 – INTRODUCTION TO CHURCH AND MINISTRY (fall semester)

Module 1: Connecting With My Story, My Personal Narrative

Presentation Date: October 27
Materials Due Date: OCTOBER 13

PT 536 – CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (spring semester)

Module 2: Calling Me By My name Into Maturation, Learning, Discipleship

Presentation Date: TBA, Spring
Materials Due Date: JANUARY 31

“Click” on the module titles to link to a webpage for each module. These webpages detail the information and materials (word documents to be downloaded and books) that you will use to prepare for your participation in each module. There is no need for you to download any program materials from pages other than these specific Proctor pages.

Philosophy of the Formation for Ministry Modules:

The Center for Career Development and Ministry has been working to support clergy and ministers in training for nearly forty years. Our ministry specialty is to provide emotional, intellectual, and spiritual support and direction to persons who are seeking to fulfill their ministry purpose by defining or claiming more clearly the calling to which they have responded. The formation model that we use to carry out this educational mission focuses upon social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, vocational, pastoral and professional factors. These modules are designed to help you name, explore and claim the calling to which you are responding.

Confidentiality Statement Regarding Personal Data:

All of the materials generated through your participation in these modules will be treated with the strictest confidence. Exceptions to the rule of confidentiality include those instances that are defined by law in which the life or safety of a participant and/or other named individuals are believed to be genuinely in danger. During your participation in the modules, you will be invited to share personal information within the context of a small group. It is expected--and there will be instruction to this effect--that the members of your small group will also be bound by the rule of confidentiality regarding all information that you might share in the small group setting. It is possible that you may choose to share or be directed to share some of the findings from your experience with your advisor or other Seminary officials to assist with the development of your M.Div. curriculum.

Technical Points Related to the Process:

All of the documents that you produce for these modules will be reviewed by the module presenters and/or small group leaders prior to the day of the module. You will need to complete and send electronically your materials to the Center for Career Development and Ministry prior to each module for review. Please NOTE THE DATE that is listed for the module that is coming up and be sure to complete and send your forms in time. The Center for Career Development and Ministry will keep a copy of your documents on electronic file. You need to keep copies of your documents also, however, so that you can print them and bring copies with you to the Workshop modules. It is suggested that you keep a hard copy of all of your documents in a three-ring binder.

Instructions for Downloading Forms

Some preparation will be required for each Module. Typically, there will be some reading to do and some materials to write. The written materials will either be inventories that are completed through online testing sites or they will be written documents that you will download and complete through a word processing application. All word processed documents that you download and complete will be emailed to the Center for Career Development and Ministry prior to the start of the module. To download all of the documents that you will find on any module webpage, “Click” on the proper (re: your particular software) word processing thumbnail to open a document. All of the documents were created and formatted in Microsoft Word. If you have a Microsoft Word processing application for a MAC, click on the light blue "W"; for PCs, click on the darker "W" in the square. If you don't have a Microsoft Word processing application, you could try clicking on the darker "W" in the square. If you can read the document, you might be able to copy it to your word application and reformat it but this can be labor intensive. Otherwise, click on the more universal "PDF" icon (you will need to download Adobe Reader to open this if you don't have it). The word processed documents can be completed and then saved to your desktop. Whenever you complete and save a document, always add your name to the title line. The PDF document can be copied to a new word processed document, completed, and then saved. Once you have filled in the document(s), please email it/them to the Center for Career Development and Ministry at proctor@ccdmin.org or l.parham@ccdmin.org.

Pastoral Care and Counseling Resources