Vocational Renewal in the Pastoral Ministry

Syllabus

Somewhere along the way, weget tired. The journey that started with new life in Christ led to the burden of sharing His life with others. Then came seminary. Then, ordination and a new season of life. Somehow, expectation ideals didn’t always mesh with the realities of ministry. You think about it, but not for long. There is too much to do and too many others to care for. You’ll get around to addressing this little problem one day real soon. The miles add up. And the trail dust begins to cling to every part of your person. One day it rains. The dust turns to mud. You feel like you can’t move.

There is no better place to find cleansing of such dust and mud than in the Word of the Lord and in the company of other shepherds. I believe the Good Shepherd tends to His under-shepherds. I expect His presence. So, I am delighted to share information about just such an opportunity. If that is you or someone you know and care for, please alert them to this course: “Vocational Renewal in the Pastoral Ministry.”

The course is offered through Erskine Online as an 8-week intensive reading and reflective time with plenty of peer interaction. We will read the Pastoral Epistles to locate the divine wash stations, cleanse, strengthen, and guide weary Christian shepherds back to the place of calling. Only in centering our lives on His call—as believers and as shepherds— do we find vocational satisfaction. We pray for this outcome: that those who gather together for this time will depart as renewed servants of the living God.

Course Description

This 8-week asynchronous course will lead students through a study of the Pastoral Epistles to think theologically and biblically about the vocation of the parish pastor. Dr. Michael A. Milton, Distinguished Professor of Missions and Evangelism, is the professor of record for the course Elective for D. Min. students. Three hours of elective credit.

If this sounds of interest to you, contact Crystal Tolbert at [email protected]. She can help you find your way to join us.

Scriptures for Each Module in the Course

Reading List

Barnes, Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802829627; 146 pages.

Milton, Michael A. The Secret Life of the Pastor. Scotland: Christian Focus, 2015. ISBN: 978-1781915967; 128 pages.

Peterson, Eugene. Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802808486; 207 pages.

Thornton, Martin. Pastoral Theology: A Reorientation. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608997442; 288 pages.

Course Assets