St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Davenport Iowa 52803 admit

Graduate Curricula
briefly at some women from earlier centuries of
Christian history whose writings are now being
recognized as significant theological works. While
lectures will be used to provide necessary background
information for our discussion, the class
will be conducted as a seminar with emphasis on
class discussion. While this course meets with
THEO 340, graduate students will at times meet
with the instructor apart from undergraduates for
discussion of articles and issues that are more
specifically geared to the graduate level. Their
written work will also be expected to reflect
graduate-level research and analysis.
MPS 542. Introduction to Pastoral Care 3 credits
All pastoral ministers at some point and level
provide pastoral care. This course introduces
those leaders to the broad range of concerns,
needs, and methods that pastoral leaders need to
be aware of to minister effectively and competently.
The issues of referrals and confidentiality
as well as the fundamental skills for effectively
providing pastoral care will be introduced.
MPS 544. The Art of Christian
Pastoral Counseling
3 credits
An introductory survey of the dynamic principles
and skills needed in various forms of pastoral
ministry. The course strives to build upon the
theological implications of Church as a holistic
Christian “life-journey.” The particular emphasis
of the course is an integration of theology, pastoral
theory and practice. Prerequisite: PSYC 342
or permission of instructor.
MPS 550. Theological Anthropology: The
Human Encounter with Faith and Grace 3 credits
A fresh look at the mysterious and transforming
presence of God in one’s life and the world, presented
from an experiential and personalized
point of view, with emphasis on the practical
consequences of this inquiry for ministry.
MPS 551. The Church in
Ecumenical Perspective
3 credits
A study of the emerging consensus on the nature
and mission of the Church since Vatican II.
Specific problems in ecumenical ecclesiology such
as collegiality, the petrine office, infallibility, the
mutual recognition of ordained ministry, eucharistic
sharing, interfaith marriage, and women
in the Church will be addressed.
MPS 552. Pastoral Management 3 credits
A practical approach to understanding and developing
effective leadership in the parish situation.
Emphasis is on information-gathering techniques,
direction and focus for group visioning and goalsetting,
time management, conflict resolution and
leadership evaluation. Additional content includes
theological understanding of stewardship,
recruiting and nurturing volunteers, personal
concerns (i.e., job descriptions, contracts, salary
benefits, and evaluation), and budgeting.
MPS 554. New Directions in Ministry 3 credits
This is a foundation course in pastoral theology.
It examines significant changes taking place within
the Church today in the areas of theology of
ministry, identity of ordained and non-ordained
ministry, collaborative ministry, the role of
women in the Church, and the historical /spiritual
foundations of discipleship. This course also
strives to create a vision of Church for the new
millennium.
MPS 563. Lay Preaching
5 credits
Both a theoretical understanding of and practical
preparation for lay preaching as a integral part of
pastoral ministry. Since Christian preaching is
“from faith to faith,” each student will work
with a Sermon Group composed of members of
the student’s own faith community. Students will
work with their groups in discussing the Biblical
texts for preaching, in preparing an outline of the
sermon and, finally, in evaluating the sermon
after it has been preached by the student.
Throughout the sixth month duration of this
course each student will meet individually with a
preaching mentor chosen from the MPS faculty.
Prerequisite: MPS 504.
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