Syllabus for Preparing for First Ministry LAD604
• Winter 2023
Fri Jan 13, 6-9 pm
Sat. Jan 14 10am-6 pm
Fri. Feb 3, 6-9 pm
Sat. Feb 4 10 am – 6 pm
Rev. Dr. Toni LaMotta • thecommunitycsl@gmail.com 941-928-3529
Course Description
This course prepares students to begin the ministry with the consciousness and competencies to enter an already established church/center/work or to establish a new church/center/work. Students focus on the benefits of visioning, effective change, and basic business principles and practices. They will discover such existing resources as International Headquarters, Regional Support Coordinators, strategies for networking, and creating professional partnerships in the surrounding community.
Additionally, the students will delve into their own spiritual consciousness and the consciousness of a successful minister, as well as gain knowledge and understanding of organizational design and structure in connection with the Global Vision of Centers for Spiritual Living.
Required Texts (click on the title to purchase from Amazon)
for January The New Pastor’s Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry, Jason Helopolulos
for February The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up – Beatrice Chestnut and Uranio Paes
Other Recommended Readings
Beginning Ministry Together: The Alban Handbook for Clergy Transitions, Oswald, Roy M., The Alban Institute, 2003
Uncommon Beginnings: A Leadership Strategy for a New Ministry, Quest, Robert D., New Mission Systems Int’l, 2011
Living With Paradox, Malony, H. Newton, Jossey-Bass Inc Publishers, 1998
Managing Transitions – Making the Most of Change by William Bridges
Mastering Transitions (Mastering Ministry series) Ed Bratcher, Robert Kemper & Douglas Scott
Managing the Non-Profit Organization Peter Drucker
Student Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, you will demonstrate these minimum competencies:
OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES summarized in three areas:
Spiritual Consciousness — Successful minister’s consciousness – see if you can notice this shifting
Knowledge — Awareness of
CSL Organizational Chart, Membership Affiliation Agreement, Bylaws, CSL Organizational Design Model, Articles of Incorporation, Policies, and Procedures Manual, and Education Catalog
– Building a working relationship with International Headquarters,
Regional Support Coordinators, a Board of Trustees or Leadership Council, and church leadership.
– Being a business versus spiritual support.
– Understanding what it means to become the minister of an existing church.
– What’s involved in starting a new church/center/work
– Making the transition from student ‘minister’ to minister
– Develop a personal plan for your ministry
Abilities and Skills
– Establish a personal plan for your ministry
– Understanding what’s required to get started
– Develop relationship skills with self and others
Assignments
PREPARING FOR EACH SESSION:
Prior to 1st Friday class– Read the following and be prepared to share the answers to the questions posed.
Article on Finding Your Ministry
and then JOURNAL on the following and be prepared to share on Friday night
Click on the words Your Soul Story below:
also, Read the text: The New Pastor’s Handbook
-Come to class the first weekend with two discussion topics – what did you learn that you can use in your first ministry?
(Reinterpret the masculine pronouns and translate what you are reading in the text into a Science of Mind perspective, although attention to Scripture is encouraged). Be prepared to discuss the two topics on Friday night
Also, Feel free to do some research on the Enneagram ahead of time, but we will cover this topic IN CLASS:
THE ENNEAGRAM
Week1 I will present an intro to the Enneagram (almost 2 hours long)
“Unless you tame your demons, you will never know your angels..”
- Then, in preparation for the second weekend, you’ll watch the Introduction and AT LEAST the session from Richard Rohr on the type you identified – plus Explore the website :
https://Enneagram.tonilamotta.com
You will also find a great deal about the Enneagram on YouTube - with the intention of identifying the following: (You may want to watch them all!!)
1) Your Major Enneagram type, wings, and arrows…
2) What are some of your greatest strengths
3) Insights on how this will affect your choice of Ministry
4) What are the things you will struggle with? (your shadows- and how to work with them and how it might show up in your first Ministry)
For 2nd Saturday
Come prepared with questions to our guests- one who started a Center from scratch and the other who took over after a beloved Minister
1) Bylaws – get a copy from someone whose ministry is similar to yours
2) Letter of Call – (w/o salary info.) Prepare questions for our guests on what’s on theirs and why
Consider writing your own — what elements will you include?
3) Gather the Misc. pertinent documents as listed above
Final Projects:
Part 1: create an outline only – Due FEB 2nd to the instructor. Be prepared to share parts of this on the second Friday
1) What does your ministry feel like or look like at this time,
2) What is your personal mission statement?
3) How do you plan to take care of yourself as a minister – Create a personal plan for how you will keep balance in your ministry.
4) What is your greatest driving force propelling you to be a minister?
Part 2: After, reading the required book on the Enneagram and doing research on what you believe might be your type, create either a video or a PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following:
What did learning about your Enneagram type tell you about the gifts you bring and the special challenges you’ll face in your first ministry? How do you plan on handling these and what practice will you develop geared for your specific type?
Class Participation and Attendance
All students are to have the assigned readings completed prior to class and actively engage in discussions with peers and the instructor. Full participation includes attendance at all class meetings. Any absences are to be phoned to the instructor prior to class. You can make up work but it will affect your grade if you miss class time.
Grading
Class Participation and Dialogue 40% Class Participation; 20% summary of text; 40% Final Project