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Field Education

Modeling a place-based approach to ministry leadership

 

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s framework for Field Education is grounded in three co-equal layers of knowing, doing, and being in ministry formation. Students come to know approaches to ministry leadership, cultivate practical skills in context as they do the work of ministry with skilled church and community leaders, and engage in critical reflection on the Christian leaders they are called to be. The Field Education Program approaches this framework within a place-based philosophy of ministry.

 

Field Education is a requirement for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and MA in Public Ministry (MAPM) programs.

 

Garrett is particularly excited to offer students the option to participate in one of three thematic cohorts, each taking a deep dive into innovative and emergent forms of ministry:

 

    • Fresh Expressions of Church Cohort
    • Public Ministry and the Arts Cohort
    • Evanston Place-Based Ministry Cohort

Place-Based Ministry

Ministry practice is embedded in place. Students are challenged to discern how they and their institutions are socially positioned in the histories and power arrangements of their geographical location and communities, to recognize the relationships of accountability in which this position places them, and to reflect on how these relationships inform and shape their ministry leadership.

Portrait of young diverse volunteer group with clothes for donation

Build the skills you need to thrive in your future vocational placements

 

Field Education is where you begin to claim your vocational identity and authority through the practice of ministry. You will have the opportunity to complete your field education in a diverse variety of settings such as church congregations, campus ministries, denominational agencies, international NGOs, and community nonprofits. Through your field education context, you will develop foundational and professional skills.

 

Learning Goals for MDiv Students

Foundational Skills:

 

  • Holistic process of theological reflection
  • Data-gathering to facilitate planning and decision-making
  • Analysis of social systems and functioning in relation to them
  • Designing, implementing, and evaluating
    the results of strategies for planned change
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Self-directed learning
  • Self-care

 

 

Professional Skills

 

  • Preaching, teaching, group leadership, and team building
  • Planning and leading worship and/or programming
  • Listening to and caring for others
  • Administering, empowering others to lead, conflict management
  • Planning and executing a new initiative or
    program

Learning Goals for MAPM Students

Foundational Skills

 

  • Holistic process of theological reflection
  • Data-gathering to facilitate planning and decision-making
  • Analysis of social systems and functioning in relation to them
  • Designing, implementing, and evaluating the results of strategies for planned change
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Self-directed learning
  • Self-care

 

 

Professional Skills

 

  • Preaching, proclamation, public witness, editorial writing, legislative analysis and strategy, teaching, group leadership, and team building
  • One on one relational meetings, power and asset mapping, community organizing
  • Planning and leading (new or existing) programming, trainings, legislative action, public witness events.
  • Listening to and caring for others
  • Administering, empowering others to lead, conflict management
  • Administrative functions related to fund development and management, staff and volunteer management, operational functions

Balancing Field Education with Other Coursework

Students work at their site for no more than 11 hours per week for academic year placements in order to balance Field Education with other curricular requirements. For summer intensive placements (11 weeks), students may work only up to 36 hours per week. Students are also provided a stipend for their work.

students in a classroom
Interested in becoming a Field Education site?

If you are interested in becoming a Field Site and hosting a Field Education student, please complete the Site Inquiry Form. Email us at field.education@garrett.edu if you have further questions.

Fill Out Site Inquiry Form

Field Education Staff

Rev. Dr. Lisl Paul

Rev. Dr. Lisl Paul

Director of Contextual Education