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Using the time tested apprenticeship model of education, Mentored Practice is
an experiential program to help students gain confidence and competence in the
practice of pastoral ministry and leadership. The heart of the program centers
upon building a mentoring relationship with a qualified mentor in a church or
specialized ministry setting. The student develops a learning contract with their
mentor and agrees to spend 10-12 hours per week at the place of ministry. In addition,
the student spends one hour per week in reflective conversation with her or his
mentor and two hours per week in the Mentored Practice Seminar. Integration -
of other areas of learning in the curriculum, and Incarnation - the embodiment
of learning - are important goals for the mentored practice student. Mentored
practice is usually most appropriate in the Middler or Senior year of study in
the Master of Divinity program.
Requirements
The Master of Divinity requires 6 credits (two semesters) of Mentored Practice.
Two different ministry sites may be used as long as one experience addresses some
dimension of community ministry. If both semesters are done in a local church,
the second semester must include an emphasis on social outreach. Three possible
tracks may be taken to fulfill these requirements:
- two semesters in a local church;
- one semester in a local church and one semester in a community-based program;
or
- one semester in a local church and one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
or Chaplain Intern Program (CIP).
In every case the student works with the director to prepare a learning covenant
with specific goals and objectives.
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