• Spiritual Formation It is from the development of the inner life that ministry can flow with authenticity. In the TFE program, students are challenged to balance the busyness of ministry with the discipline of spiritual nurture. More than any other element, the spiritual life of the minister makes all the difference in the practice of ministry – both for the self and for communities within which one ministers. TFE provides a real opportunity to “practice what you preach.” • Theological Reflection on/in Ministry The task of ministry is a theological one. Although reflection on ministry from other disciplines such as historical, sociological, and cultural is important, the work of ministry is to bring a God consciousness, a theological dimension, to life’s circumstances. This occurs as the student reflects on ministry and their involvement in ministry. In developing skills to reflect theologically on experience the TFE programme seeks to build the student’s capacity to lead others in discerning the presence and call of God in day-to-day life. Ultimately the goal of theological reflection is ‘conversion’ – conversion to a deeper relationship with God through more acute awareness of God’s presence and call. Competency Based Learning: Curricular and Professional Outcomes
Specific Emphases of the LAC Trust: It is vital that the committee build trust with the student. Without trust, evaluation will be taken as criticism and normal feedback as personal attack. The student needs to know and trust the committee. During the year, get to know the student so that a relationship of trust can evolve. Remember that both words and attitudes will convey or fail to convey trust. Love: Assist the student in learning to love all whom he/she is called to serve. It is often easy to speak critically of people, especially those who may think or act differently. Bring to the fore the positive values and contribution of others. This does not mean to mask the negative but rather to begin with accentuating the positive in others. Clarify Ideas: The committee can assist the student in clarifying ideas. This relates to both the clarifying thought and word. Most students are inundated with many ideas and growing concepts. If the thought is unclear or the communication of the student not understandable raise questions until the message can be understood. Resolve conflicts: There will always be areas of conflict both in concept and in action. It has been said that where there is no conflict nothing is happening. Assist the student in recognizing, accepting and working to resolve conflict. It is usually not the conflict that is the problem but how it is handled and resolved. Help the student face it with reality. Advocacy: There may be times when the student will need support as he/she fits in and provides ministry within the congregation/centre. The LAC who works closely with the student will be able to assist the larger congregation/centre in better understanding the role and work of the student. Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head of the Church, that is Christ. Eph 2:15 B The Purpose of the LAC The Lay Advisory Committee is a small group of people (4-8 in number) within the church/centre intended to provide encouragement, support and evaluation of the student's progress. The primary purpose of the LAC is to give every student the unique contributions that the lay perspective on ministry can provide and thus contribute to the student’s growth and development in preparation for a church related vocation. The breadth of perspective provided by the committee will enable the student to better see him/herself from the perspective of the broader church body.