Abilene Christian University
College of Biblical Studies
BIBM 602: GST Orientation
Fall 2009
The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate its students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.
The GST aims to equip men and women for effective missional leadership for ministry in all its forms, and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry. By equipping students with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience, the GST aspires to produce graduates with trained minds and transformed hearts.
Course Description
The course provides new GST students information about both curricular and co-curricular aspects of the GST community. MACM, MDIV, and MAMI students will examine personal and professional identity issues by completing various assessments.
Textbooks/Supplies
- The GST Handbook
- Intentional Growth Form Template
Course Policies
Attendance Policy: All class times are required. Excused absences include sickness, emergency, or University sponsored activities.
Course Requirements
Intentional Growth Form due Dec 1, 2009. Send electronic copy to Erica.berry@acu.edu.
Course Calendar
Date |
Schedule |
Prior to arriving to campus, you may choose to complete the EQi and ESQ.
|
|
| Friday, August 218:30 – 5:00
University Church of Christ (501) and BI 129 |
¾ 8:30-9:00 Welcome & Breakfast (provided)¾ 9:00-9:15 Introduction to Graduate Education and Advising
¾ 9:15-10:00 Mentoring and Spiritual Formation (David Wray) ¾ 10:00-10:15 Break ¾ 10:15-11:00 Meet with Advisors ¾ 11:00-12:00 Conversation with the Faculty and Randy Harris, Cathy ¾ 12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided) ¾ 1:00-5:00 Testing
|
| Saturday, August 228:00-12:00
BI 129 |
¾ Assessments with Sara Taylor and Karen Witemeyer
|
| Friday, November 68:00-12:00
BI 129 |
¾ Feedback with Tim Sensing
|
| The course is graded on a complete/incomplete basis. Students who do not complete BIBM 602 will not be eligible for candidacy. | |
Intentional Growth Form
Name: _______Penny Peng________________
Date: _______________________
Define your long-range and short-range goals. Even though you may not be certain about some of your goals, you need at least a tentative goal to guide some decisions you need to make. Based on your best understanding at this point, describe your short-range and long-range goals in ministry.
Long-range goals: I came here to study Missions, because the missionaries from US I met in China influenced me greatly. I really want to help others who do not know about God and I want to preach God’s words to people. I do not know what I am going to do after graduation. I believe through another two years here, God will guide me and prepare plans for me.
Short-range goals: Studying well is important for me as a student. Growing spiritually, becoming stronger and being closer with God are short-range goals and also long term goals. What I am trying to do now is to help more Chinese students here because we have about 80 Chinese at ACU. I hope that God can use to evangelize my Chinese friends. Also, the internship in New York will be very good for me and Carol. I am sure that through the internship in the Bronx, I can learn and grow a lot.
Most ministry positions have minimal standards. Some of the qualifications are academic; others reflect a person’s personality, giftedness, experience, and maturity. You need to learn the minimal requirements for your desired short-range and long-range goals. You can learn what they are by contacting ministries that employ persons in those roles. Describe below the normal requirements and qualifications for entry into the ministry positions you have designated in your short-range and long-range goals.
All of my goals are related with missions and there is not entrance standard. The main focus is to practice all the principles in the Bible. As missionaries, we should learn how to care for different people, especially people from different cultures. I will have an amazing opportunity to do this when I am in New York next spring and fall. What I have learned is the beauty of diversity among all kinds of people, all kinds of religions and everything on earth that God has uniquely created. The first thing I need to learn is to respect, observe and understand this diversity and know that I am not going there to change it but use it for God’s glory. I think learning languages should be a requirement for missionaries because I realize that my English is still not good enough for even children to understand.
Profiles of Ministry
Personal Characteristics: Examine your profile in these three areas. List three strengths that your profile indicates you bring to ministry.
- Responsible and Caring
- Family Perspective
- Personal Faith
Select an area of growth indicated by your profile. Be specific about how you plan to work on that area during the year. What resources are available to help you?
Personal faith: I have been in the United States for about eight months and my house church here, my friends and the lady I live with have helped me to grow spiritually. My friends, including Carol, Roberta who lives with me, Ben and Erica, we share our life stories together. We encourage each other to be closer with God. My mentoring group helps me to understand myself better. Also, last semester’s class, Spiritual Formation had a huge impact on me and it still does. I am trying to practice some principles we learned in this class. Now I am practicing spending more time with God, and letting God work through my heart and use me.
Special Concerns: Examine your profile in this area. Which characteristic concerns you most? Be both concrete and realistic about what you intend to do in this area this year. What resources are available to you?
I am most concerned about my caring characteristic. This is a very important trait for me to develop if I want to work with diverse people. The Context of Ministry class helps me to pay attention, respect, and observe things and people. I am learning to be more patient and concentrate on individuals more. In my Bible study with my three Chinese friends, I need to remember that I am not there to convince them of the truth of God but to help them learn to see him in their own way and to love them no matter what they believe.
Perceptions of Ministry: Examine your profile in these four areas. From these four areas, list three strengths that your profile revealed.
- Ecclesial Ministry
- Conversionist Ministry
- Social Justice Ministry
- Community and Congregational Ministry
Are there one or two characteristics you want to develop more fully this year? Be specific. What resources are available to help you? What is it that you plan to do?
I want to develop Conversionist Ministry. As person from China, and mission major, I want to help more Chinese students and let them know about God. I want to make friends with more Chinese students, be kind to them and let them know I am here if they need help. Most of them have Bible class and sometimes they have trouble doing the homework. I will let them know I can help them in this area. My friends and I have organized a Chinese Christian Fellowship for all of the Chinese students. Everyone is welcome to join, study the Bible, and share life together.
Respond to the feedback from the following assessments: (provide at least one insight, any concerns, and plans for follow up actions).
- NEO
- EQi
- MSI (if applicable)
I concur with this plan.
SPM Director ______________________________ Date:___________
Faculty Mentor ______________________________ Date:___________
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