Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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THE PRACTICE OF MINISTRY
I.314 SENIOR PREACHING
This course is an advanced, interdisciplinary seminar led by two faculty members in which texts
are studied in their original languages and sermons are preached. The particular texts under
examination, the venue in which the preaching occurs, and the type of feedback provided
vary according to the section for which students register. In one section participants focus
on texts listed in the Sunday Common Lectionary. In another section participants focus on
passages selected from a biblical book. In a third section participants design sermons based
upon selected biblical texts relating to a particular doctrine. Each semester, students in two
sections preach in the context of the Seminary’s corporate worship. Participants in a third
section preach in a class/lab setting for class members and other interested members of the
Seminary community. Prerequisites: Bi.108, Bi.118, Bi.120, Bi.216, CM.126, senior standing,
and plans to graduate during the current academic year. Six credits.
Mss. Lord, Saldine, et al.; Fall and Spring
MATS COLLOQUIUM
All students in the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program are required to participate for
a minimum of two terms in a colloquium. The purposes of the colloquium are to assist students
to integrate their learning, and to engage in peer learning and in theological refl ection.
Ms. Babinsky; Fall and Spring
THE MATS INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR
In this seminar students work together and in consultation with the instructor and a
designated faculty member in the framing, research, and production of a term project
which demonstrates scholarly work and applies expertise garnered through studies
in their respective areas of concentration in the MATS degree program. Students
evaluate and provide written and oral responses to other’s projects. Prerequisite:
satisfactory completion of 72 credits in the MATS degree program. Six credits.
Ms. Babinsky, Spring
INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT
See page 26 or 30 for description.
THE PRACTICE OF MINISTRY
SUPERVISED PRACTICE OF MINISTRY
Supervised Practice of Ministry is an educational program critical for theological
education at Austin Seminary. It provides opportunities for students to gain
knowledge and develop skills through the practice of ministry under the supervision
of competent ordained ministers who have been certifi ed and/or trained by the
Seminary. The work done in this program is understood to have the same academic
value as classroom courses.
Ordinarily, students are expected to spend an extended period of at least three
months in a local congregational setting. The summer following the middler year is
often the time when students schedule this involvement. An internship, which is a
more extended period of time (eight to fi fteen months), is another supervised practice
of ministry option which is available for students to meet this requirement.
Moreover, students have the option of doing their supervised practice of ministry
in a congregation concurrently with their other course work through the Teaching
Church program.
In addition, students may enroll for elective academic credit in a selected aspect
of ministry under supervision in a suitable setting during any fall, January, or spring
term of their middler or senior years. Among the possibilities are pastoral counseling,