SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR LEADERS (PDF)

Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR LEADERS Applied Theology D.Min. Core, 2DM802 January 11-15, 2010 Steve Childers Course Description A Christian leader must lead from character before skill. Therefore, in this course students will be given an overview of the biblical and theological principles regarding the development of mature Christian character. This will help them develop a theological approach to spiritual growth and renewal in their ministries. Students will be shown how to experience the transforming power of the gospel in their lives and ministries through understanding and applying theological truths related to the Gospel of God’s grace. They will also learn ways to be agents of gospel transformation in light of the Church’s mission to make disciples of all nations. Special focus will be placed on the application of the practical theology of English Puritans (1550–1700) such as John Owen and Richard Baxter. Course Instructor Steve is a professor of Practical Theology (since 1995) and the director of the doctoral program at Reformed Theological Seminary, in Orlando, Florida, where he teaches spiritual formation, church planting, missions and evangelism. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, having served two churches (urban and suburban) as church planter and senior pastor for 15 years. Steve is also the President and CEO of Global Church Advancement, an inter-denominational ministry that provides training, consultations, and resources for church planters, pastors and missionaries throughout the world. Through his conferences and seminars he has taught thousands of Christian leaders from more than 40 countries representing over 120 denominations and mission agencies. His educational background includes earning Master’s degrees from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago and a doctorate from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. Steve has also done doctoral studies in global mission at Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of World Mission in Pasadena, California. Steve and his wife Becky live in Orlando, Florida, and have three grown daughters.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Course Objectives A Mind for Truth • To understand and articulate a biblical theology of personal spiritual growth and renewal, especially as it relates to the centrality of the cross and the gospel. • To understand the biblical imperative for personal holiness and the priority of ongoing spiritual growth and renewal in the life of the church leader today. • To understand the biblical nature of the gospel’s transforming power, especially as it relates to the Kingdom of God and mission of the Church. • To understand, evaluate and appreciate various principles, methods and models used today to help people grow spiritually. • To be acquainted with the extensive literature relating to personal spiritual growth and renewal (especially English Puritan literature) and be able to think biblically and critically about how it can be used properly and effectively in the student’s life and ministry. A Heart for God • To experience personal spiritual growth and renewal through the transforming power of the gospel. • To diagnose and repent from the core idols (sin beneath the sin) that draw the student’s heart affections away from Christ. • To appropriate the transforming pardon and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ through setting the student’s heart affections on Him alone by faith. • To show love for God and others by loving God’s Law, obeying it by God’s grace, and allowing it to lead the student to Jesus Christ for transformation into His image. • To practice spiritual disciplines (such as meditating on Scripture, prayer, journaling, fasting, witnessing, etc.) as a means of setting the student’s heart affection on Christ. • To have a heartfelt burden and lifelong commitment to pray and work for a local, national and global spiritual awakening through the advancement of God’s Kingdom through the Church. • To be used by God as an agent of personal spiritual growth and renewal in the lives of others. A Life for Ministry • To lay a strong foundation for future studies in the dynamics of how the gospel brings spiritual growth and renewal both personally and corporately. • To lay a strong foundation for the practical development of church–based ministries of spiritual growth and renewal, especially for those planning to be church planters, pastors and missionaries. • To obtain a set of criteria for evaluating spiritual growth and renewal principles, methods, materials, programs and trends.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Course Requirements Reading Assignments There will be 2000 pages of new reading (not having been previously read by the student) assigned for the course. The required reading for all students is designated on the “Spiritual Dynamics Reading List” below. If required reading texts cannot be found, the student may substitute other books from the list. If substitutions must be made, students are to read the highly recommended books on the reading list. All readings for the course must be taken directly from the list unless otherwise approved by the professor. Reading Reports Doctor of Ministry (credit) students are required to report each book, sermon or article read on the standard “Reading Report” format available in this course syllabus. Reading Reports should be submitted on the first day of class, all at once and be stapled. All reading reports not turned in on the first day of class are to be turned in with the course integration paper in approximately three months. Students will receive a grade reduction for late Reading Reports unless otherwise approved by the professor. Non-credit (audit) students do not submit reports. Class Attendance and Participation This course follows the lecture, discussion and small group sharing methods requiring attendance and participation at all classes. Class lectures and group discussions will be based on the assumption that the student has completed the assigned readings and assignments given during the course. Occasionally, individual and small group work sessions will be conducted during class time. Students will be required to create, present and participate in class presentations. Post-Class Integration Paper Students are required to write a 15-20 page (double–spaced, 12 point font) course integration paper. This paper must reflect new work done by the student as a result of this course. The paper must demonstrate the student’s theology of Christian growth and show how the concepts learned in the class lectures AND course readings can be applied to the student’s personal life and ministry today. The paper must also include a specific plan for the student’s continued growth (spiritual formation plan) and application of the course concepts to his/her personal life and ministry in the future. The integration paper is due April 30, 2010 (received hardcopy in D.Min. office) unless special arrangements have been made with the professor prior to the end of the class work.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Required Reading: Baxter, Richard 1656 The Reformed Pastor. Kessinger Publishing, 2006 Reprint. (340 pp). ISBN:1428622896 Bridges, Jerry 2003 The Gospel for Real Life. Navpress Publishing Group. (208 pp). ISBN: 1576835073 Lovelace, Richard 1979 Dynamics of Spiritual Life, An Evangelical Theology of Renewal, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, Chapters 2-8. (200 pp) ISBN-10: 087784626X 2002 Renewal as a Way of Life, A Guidebook for Spiritual Growth. Wiph and Stock Publishers. Eugene. OR. (204 pp) ISBN-10: 1579108660 Packer, J.I. 2005 Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in our Walk with God. Baker Books, Revised enlarged edition. (256 pp) ISBN-10: 0801065585 1994 The Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life. Crossway Books Reprint edition (336 pp). ISBN-10: 0891078193 1993 Knowing God. InterVarsity Press. [Chapters 15,18,19] (55 pp) ISBN-10: 083081650X Prior, Kenneth 1982 The Way of Holiness: The Study in Christian Growth. InterVarsity Press Revised Edition. (172 pages). ISBN-10: 0877843805 Recommended Reading: Alexander, Archibald 2004 Thoughts on Religious Experience. Kessinger Publishing Reprint. 400 pp. Baxter, Richard A Christian Directory, Volume One, Baxter’s Practical Works, Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications in 1997. (Read J.I. Packer’s “Introduction” and especially “Part One: Christian Ethics”, 394 pages). ISBN-10: 1877611131 The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Abridged by Benjamin Fawcett in 1758, American Tract. Republished by Regent College Publishing with John Thomas Wilkinson and J.I. Packer in 2004. ISBN-10: 1417956607 Berkouwer, G.C. 1952 Faith and Sanctification: Studies in Dogmatics. Translated by John Vriend . Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. (196 pp) ISBN-10: 0802848176 Bonar, Horatius 1995 Words to Winners of Souls. (Read especially chapter four, Ministerial Confession. Reprinted in 1995 by P & R Publishing. (59 pp) ISBN-10: 0875521649 1996 The Everlasting Righteousness. Banner of Truth. (240 pp) ISBN-10: 0851516556  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] 1999 God’s Way of Holiness. Christian Focus Publishers in 1999. (176 pp) ISBN-10: 1857925033. Bridges, Jerry 1992 The Discipline of Grace. NavPress Publishing Group, Prepack edition in 2006. (256 pp) ISBN-10: 1576839893 . 1997 The Joy of Fearing God. Water Brook Press, Reprinted in 2004. (352 pp) ISBN-10: 1400070643. Brooks, Thomas Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices. Banner of Truth Reprinted in 1984. (253 pp) ISBN-10: 0851510027 Bunyan, John Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. Reprint by Echo Library in 2007. (88 pp) ISBN-10: 1406822949 The Pilgrim’s Progress, Reprint in 1999 by Hodder & Stoughton. (192 pp) ISBN-10: 034038171X The Holy War. Reprinted in 2001 by Whitaker House. (319 pp) ISBN-10: 0883687062 Calvin, John The Institutes of Christian Religion. (Read especially Book Three: The Way in Which We Receive the Grace of Christ, Chapters VI–X). Westminster John Knox Pres s published a 1559 translation edition in 1960. ISBN-10: 0664220282 Chalmers, Thomas 1850 “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”, Sermons and Discourses by Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D., Now Completed by the Introduction of His Posthumous Sermons in Two Volumes, New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. (8 pp) Chappell, Bryan 1994 Christ Centered Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. (Read chapters 10,11) Charnock, Stephen 1979 Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God. Baker. Childers, Steven L. 1995 “The Transforming Power of the Gospel”. The Reformed Quarterly, Fall, RTS. Curtis, Brent, and John Eldredge 1997 The Sacred Romance. Thomas Nelson. Demarest, Bruce 1999 Satisfy Your Soul. NavPress Edwards, Jonathan “A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections”. The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. One. (pp 234–343) 1992 “A Divine and Supernatural Light”. Selected Writings of Jonathan Edwards, edited by Harold P. Simonson, Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, Inc., Reissued (68-88 pp.)  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Eldredge, John, 2000 The Journey of Desire. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Ferguson, Sinclair B. 1987 John Owen on the Christian Life. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, reprinted 1995. “The Reformed View of Sanctification” in Donald Alexander’s Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity. 1989 Children of the Living God. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth. 1995 John Owen on the Christian Life. Carisle, PA: Banner of Truth. Fisher, Edward The Marrow of Modern Divinity. Presbyterian Board of Pub., n.d. Flavel, John 1963 The Mystery of Providence Foster, Richard 1978 Celebration of Discipline Foster, Richard, and Emilie Griffin 2000 Spiritual Classics. Harper Collins. Gurnall, William 1964 The Christian in Complete Armour. Banner of Truth. Hoekema, Anthony A. 1989 Saved by Grace. Eerdmans. Hughes, R. Kent Disciplines of a Godly Man. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Keller, Timothy J. 1988 “Puritan Resources for Biblical Counseling”. The Journal of Pastoral Practice, Vol. IX, No. 3. Lewis, Peter 1996 The Genius of Puritanism. Soli Deo Gloria. Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn 1965 Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures. Eerdmans. 1985 The Cross, God’s Way of Salvation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Londgaard, Kris 1998 The Enemy Within. Presbyterian & Reformed. Luther, Martin The Preface to Martin Luther’s Commentary on Galatians. 1962 Two Kinds of Righteousness. Martin Luther: Selections from his Writings, edited by John Dillenberger, New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday, (86-96 pp). 1962 The Freedom of the Christian. Martin Luther: Selections from his Writings, Edited by John Dillenberger, New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday. (42-85 pp).  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] 1968 A Simple Way to Pray, Luther’s Works: Devotional Writings II, Vol. 43, Edited by Gustav K. Wiencke, Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press. (187-211 pp). MacDonald, Gordon 1985 Ordering Your Private World. Nashville, TN: Oliver Nelson. Marshall, Walter 1954 The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. McGrath, Alister E. 1999 Christian Spirituality: An Introduction. Blackwell. Miller, John C. (Jack) 1986 Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resource Library. (Read especially The Ingrown Leader, The Pastor as Pacesetter, and Preaching by Faith) Miller, Rose Marie 1994 From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God. Wheaton, Illinois, Harold Shaw Publishers. Morris, Leon 1983 The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance. IVP. Murray, John 1974 Principles of Conduct. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing. 1976-82 Definitive Sanctification in The Collected Works of John Murray Vol II, Edinburgh, UK and Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth. Newton, John The Letters of John Newton. See The Works of John Newton, Volumes 1,2,6. Banner of Truth. Owen, John The Works of John Owen. See especially Vol. I–Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, Vol. II– On Communion with God, Vol. III–A Discourse Concerning the Holy Spirit, Vol. VI– On the Mortification of Sin, On Temptation and On Indwelling Sin in Believers, Vol. VII–The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded, and On the Dominion of Sin and Grace. Packer, J.I. 1992 Rediscovering Holiness. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Vine Books. Piper, John 1986 Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press. Powlison, David 1995 Idols of the Heart and “Vanity Fair”, The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 13, Num. 2, Winter 1995 (35-50 pp). Ryken, Leland 1986 Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were. Zondervan.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Ryle, J.C. 1956 Holiness. Wilmington, DE: Associated Publishers and Authors and London: J. Clarke. 195 pp. Schaeffer, Francis A. 1971 True Spirituality. Tyndale. Stott, John R.W. 1986 The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove: IL, InterVarsity. (Especially chapter 7–The Salvation of Sinners and the Conclusion–The Pervasive Influence of the Cross.) Toon, Peter 1990 Spiritual Companions: An Introduction to the Christian Classics, Baker. 1993 The Art of Meditating on Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Wallace, Ronald 1957 Calvin’s Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament. Eerdmans. Watson, Thomas 1994 The Doctrine of Repentance. Banner of Truth. Welch, Edward T. 1997 When People are Big and God is Small. Presbyterian & Reformed. Whitney, Donald S. 1991 Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. NavPress. Willard, Dallas 1986 The Spirit of the Disciplines. San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row. 1998 The Divine Conspiracy. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Winslow, Octavius 1978 Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul, Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1841 reprinted 1978.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] ame Name Course Title & Number Professor Date Title of Book Complete Bibliographic Reference Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach. Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness. Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book. Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found. Please limit your report to one single- spaced page. Write approximately one paragraph per topic (Overview, Critique, & Application). Reports are due on the first day of class.  Reformed Theological Seminary - Orlando 1231 Reformation Drive - Orlando, FL 32765 Doctor of Ministry 407-366-9493, Ext. 219, [email protected] Name Course Title & Number Professor Date Reading List Author Title # Pages Read Total Pages Read _________________ Signed __________________________ Date_____________________________