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Mentoring Schedule for Church History I
Introduction
The assignments that follow are designed to complement your studies in Church History I and to incorporate your mentor and tutor into the overall training process. By fulfilling the assignments that follow in addition to the course work laid out in your syllabus, you will gain the maximum intellectual, spiritual, and ministry benefit from your studies. Please read carefully the materials on the next three pages before beginning your course work in Church History I.
Mentoring
During the period of study for this course you are required to meet with your mentor a total of four times. Use the following schedule for your meetings:
First meeting: Familiarize your mentor with the content of the course and work with him or her to establish growth and ministry goals for your study. Write out your goals in full and record them on the Mentoring Report Form that accompanies these materials.
Second through fourth meetings: Meet with your mentor to review the steps you have taken and activities you have been involved in as you work toward realizing your growth and ministry goals. Discuss any progress you think you are making, problems or difficulties you are encountering, or other areas appropriate to your goals for this period of study. Seek feedback and guidance, and spend some time together in prayer.
In preparation for the fourth meeting, you should render a personal evaluation, using the Mentoring Report Form provided, of your progress in achieving the growth and ministry goals you established at the beginning of the course. Share this with your mentor. Seek your mentor’s assessment, and record his or her remarks in the appropriate place on the Mentoring Report Form. Student and mentor sign the form. Student keeps a copy for his records and sends one to RTS Virtual Campus as part of overall course requirements.
Course purpose
The lectures and reading for this course are designed to give an overview of the development of the Church through history, with particular emphasis on doctrinal developments, major figures and events in the history of doctrine, and the development of the Reformed tradition.
Areas for growth goals
Given the above purpose, the following areas suggest themselves as appropriate foci for personal growth during the time of your study in this course. Select from any of these and, in consultation with your mentor at your first meeting, develop them into goals for personal growth. Record your goals in the appropriate place on the Mentoring Report Form that accompanies these materials. Be sure to make your goals specific, realistic, and measurable.
Appreciation and Use of Scripture
Personal devotions, Scripture memory, Bible study; use of Scripture in ministry preparation, decision-making, personal growth; etc.
Awareness of the Larger Church
Appreciation of distinctive theological views of other churches and pastors in my community; understanding of the historical development of denominations; personal knowledge of ministers and other church leaders from other communions, appreciation for their work and awareness of our theological differences; etc. Identify some goals for growth in these areas, such as, getting to know some pastors in traditions other than your own; gaining an understanding of the history of your denomination or church; growing in your understanding of the theological perspectives of churches in your community. Include these in your growth goals for this course.
Understanding of and Involvement in the Mission of the Church
Knowledge of your church’s and denomination’s involvement in world missions; relationships with missionaries; personal involvement in the mission of the Church at some level; prayer for world missions; etc. Identify some goals for growth in this area, such as, getting to know some of the missionaries your church; meeting with the mission committee of your church in order to understand their purpose and program; setting up a schedule to pray for church leaders more consistently; branching out into some new area of ministry in your church; etc. Include these in your growth goals for this course.
Awareness of Heresies Active in Our Community
Types, beliefs, practices, historical connections, etc. Goals for this area might include learning about the different heretical groups in your community and beginning to formulate some response to them; making a point to witness to a member or members of a local heretical group; etc. Include these in your growth goals for this course.
Other (be specific)
My personal growth goals for this period of study are as follow (record here and on Mentoring Report Form):
Ministry Goals
The following questions will assist you in setting ministry goals for this period of study. Once you have worked through them, put your goals in writing and enter them on the Mentoring Report Form.
1. What ministry(ies) will you be involved in during this period of study?
2. What opportunities for exposure to ministry will your mentor be able to provide?
3. A course such as Church History I can provide a wealth of material for use as illustrations in teaching. Will you have opportunity to teach during this period of study? Set a goal to identify three illustrations from your study of Church History I that you will be able to use in your teaching.
4. Will you have opportunity to share with a group a summary of what you have learned during this period of study? Set a date to do so.
5. How will you be able to tell that your ministry has been positively affected by your study of Church history? What will tell you that your study of Church History I has been of benefit to your personal ministry?
My ministry goals for this period of study are as follow (record here and on the Mentoring Report Form):
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