The Practice of Ministry
By the end of this course, the student should be equipped with basic knowledge in practical ministry as it falls within five areas: teaching, worship, fellowship, service and administration. The intent is for students to grow in an awareness of who they are as ministers of the Gospel in a church pastoral setting. How might they also find ways to continue to grow in their competency in their roles as pastors?
In our classes, we will focus on the identity of the minister as pastor, preacher, priest, prophet, teacher, and administrative leader. What are practical matters of how to carry out one’s ministerial role in baptisms, weddings, infant dedications, and funerals? How does one channel time management and self-care to avoid burnout and loss of relevance? Moreover, how might the minister lead a congregation through the changes in our world that challenge the future of his/her congregation? What is the pastor’s role in building up the community of faith?
Instructor: Rev. David Avery graduated from William Jewel College in 1970. His final year of college was spent as a student at the University of Andhra, Andhra Pradesh, India. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy as a radioman (three and a half years assigned to a communication station in Ponce, Puerto Rico.) He received a second bachelor?s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1976 and worked ten years as a reporter and editor in various newspapers and magazines in Missouri and Iowa. He received the call to ministry in 1986 and attended four years at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. While there, he served as pastor of First Christian Church, Eaton, IN. Upon graduation he took a call to the Central Christian Church in Boone, IA. He served there seven years. In Boone, he also taught a basic course in philosophy (ethical problems) at Des Moines Area Community College (Boone Campus) for a couple of years. In January 1998, He became pastor of Community Christian Church, Jefferson City, MO. He and his wife, Suzan are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters, Sara, Kate and Laura. They also have two grandsons, Kaden and Brecklan, and two granddaughters, Garnet and Linden.
Dates: July 17 thru September 11, 2012
Cost: $390
Text: The Vital Church by Clark M. Williamson and Ronald J. Allen
