Welcome to Theological Field Education!
Field education is where those learning knowledge of the church's teachings reencounter the love of the church's people that first sent them to seminary. The result, we hope, is divine wisdom. This guide to field education makes that result much more likely. I rejoice for it.(Jason Byassee, Executive Director of Leadership Education, Duke Divinity School and author, "The Gifts of the Small Church")An indispensable read for students, field educators, faculty, CPE Supervisors, mentors/supervisors and congregations involved in contextual education and the pastoral formation process. Eleven nationally known, seasoned scholars and educators present rich and sobering elements, detailed examples based on theory, scripture, and research for students and educators. This book gets you in the proper frame for understanding the how and why of theological field education, and introduces you to the finer points of equipping one as a reflective pastoral practitioner.(Richard Cunningham, Assistant Professor and Director of Contextual Education, School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University)Welcome to Theological Field Educationprovides a solid introduction to the multifaceted discipline of training seminarians to become skilled pastors. Written by experienced FE professionals, it is an insightful, systematic, and theologically sound manual that I believe is a must-read for those beginning the challenging enterprise of theological field education.(Deborah K. Davis, Director of Field Education, Princeton Theological Seminary)Ministry in today’s world is no longer business as usual. This book, written by seasoned leaders in theological field education, brings new perspective to the formation of students for ministry, and offers fresh ideas that will challenge and renew the thinking of students, mentors and field educators alike.(Gwen A. Ingram, Director of Field Education and Ministry Formation, Fuller Theological Seminary)This book will transform your ministerial practice whether you are a student, novice, or seasoned veteran. The strength of this book is the diversity of viewpoints woven together by a common commitment to reflecting on how God calls forth creativity and excellence in ministry through collaborative intentionality. The authors speak from lived experience, dishing up practical case studies and personal examples that make their insights and tools for understanding ministry leap off the pages.(Rev. William M. Kondrath, William Lawrence Professor of Pastoral Theology and Director of Theological Field Education, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, and author, "God's Tapestry: Understanding and Celebrating Diversity)The distinction between field work (learning how to perform tasks) and field education (growing as people and professionals) is at the heart of this insightful collection of essays. Personal experiences, case studies, and practical exercises combine with theoretical expertise to illustrate the importance of placing the functions and practices of ministry within the larger framework of the formation of the whole person for effective preparation of candidates for ministry.(Randy A. Nelson, Professor Emeritus of Contextual Education, Luther Seminary)Seminary students and supervisor-mentors preparing to embark on the journey of service-learning will find in these chapters a wealth of knowledge that will prepare them for the experience. The authors of each chapter speak directly to Field Education participants out of their area of expertise, so that by the end of the volume, a reader will have had the opportunity to learn from some of the finest Field Educators across North America.(P. Alice Rogers, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Congregational Leadership, Candler School of Theology, Emory University)