PT 111 Course at a Glance
Intro to Pastoral Ministry
Lecturing Faculty: J. Stafford Carson
Effective for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Course Description
Introduction to Pastoral Theology & Ministry is the first course within the Pastoral Theology department at Westminster. Within this course, you will be introduced to answers to questions like: What does the character of a Christian leader within the church look like? What are the key qualities for effective ministry? What does it mean to be called to ministry? What theology underlies our understanding of ministry? Special attention will also be given to the place of ordained ministry in the Reformed church, and the role of prayer and preaching as core competencies of a Christian pastor. Through lectures, readings, and interaction with faculty, experienced instructors, and fellow students from a variety of contexts, you will walk away from this course with a foundation for the rest of your pastoral theology and pastoral counseling courses throughout your program.
Books to Purchase
The books listed below are required readings which students should acquire by the start of the term. Additional required readings will be listed in the course syllabus and available electronically in Canvas.
Estimated Workload
*For the Winter term, please note that your workload will be much more intense because of the shortened term length.
| Lectures | Readings | Assignments |
| 1 | 77 | 2.25 |
| Hours Per Week | Pages Per Week | Hours Per Week |
Course Assignments
The assignments listed below are provided for general guidance for students to reference as they plan and register. Please reach out to support@wts.edu if you have any questions.
- Live Class Meetings [1 hr mtgs - see schedule below]
- Discussion Questions [Corresponding to Live Class Meetings]
- 1 Final Paper [8 pages]
Synchronous Meeting Times
Please note the synchronous sessions listed below. These sessions are live class meetings where you will meet with your instructor and fellow classmates. Though attendance is highly encouraged as these sessions are integral to the course, students may submit an alternative assignment. Please note, attendance is required during the meeting times listed. If you cannot attend regularly, then please reach out to support@wts.edu before registering for the course.
WINTER 2024 Term Schedule [4, 1.5-hr Meetings]:
- Live Class Meeting 1: 01/08/2024 (9:00-10:30am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 2: 01/15/2024 (9:00-10:30am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 3: 01/22/2024 (9:00-10:30am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 4: 01/29/2024 (9:00-10:30am ET)
SPRING 2024 Term Schedule [5, 1-hr Meetings]:
- Live Class Meeting 1: 02/21/2024 (8:00-9:00am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 2: 03/04/2024 (8:00-9:00am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 3: 03/20/2024 (8:00-9:00am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 4: 04/10/2024 (8:00-9:00am ET)
- Live Class Meeting 5: 04/24/2024 (8:00-9:00am ET)