Academic Catalog: Training and Mentoring
Denver Seminary is committed to equipping leaders for the kingdom who are theologically astute, godly in character, and highly competent for mobilizing ministry. This vision requires intentional and purposeful partnerships between the Seminary, churches, and parachurch ministries. Character is forged when truth is obeyed and tested in relational environments. The best laboratory for developing skills is in the context of ministry.
Denver Seminary’s training and mentoring program helps students prepare for a wide range of ministry vocations through facilitated mentoring relationships and personalized learning contracts. All aspects of the mentoring process are tailored to the student’s individual gifts, calling, and passion. The mentoring and learning contract process help clarify and confirm God’s supernatural call. Mentoring directors provide assistance and resources for addressing the character and competence issues needed in ministry. They also help students network with appropriate mentors and ministry contexts. Mentors provide relational environments for growth and development. Students design learning experiences aimed at their personal and ministry skill development. As part of the core curriculum for every degree program at Denver Seminary, the training and mentoring experience helps develop the whole person for faithful, healthy, lasting ministry by providing multiple environments in which the Holy Spirit can bring about significant growth. The training and mentoring experience is incorporated into required counseling courses for those enrolled in the MA in counseling program.
T/M 500 Introduction to Christian Formation and Training and Mentoring
Provides a biblical and theological framework for Christian formation and mentored ministry experience. Carefully selected themes equip students making the transition to graduate studies at Denver Seminary and prepare them for participation in the training and mentoring program, which includes spiritual formation groups. This course is a prerequisite for all other T/M-prefixed courses. Offered fall and spring semesters. One hour.
T/M 501/601/611/701/711 Mentored Spiritual Formation
Students will write one spiritual formation/character learning contract per semester in consultation with their mentoring team. Each learning contract enables a student to build on strengths or address weaknesses in an area of spiritual formation or character development related to their future ministry context and calling. In addition, all students participate in weekly spiritual formation groups facilitated by a faculty or adjunct faculty mentor. Prerequisite: T/M 500 Introduction to Christian Formation and Training and Mentoring. Each T/M course must be taken in sequence. One hour each.
T/M 502/602/612/702/712 Mentored Ministry Experience
Students will write one ministry competence learning contract per semester in consultation with their mentoring team. Each learning contract enables a student to develop skills needed for serving in a particular ministry context and calling. In addition, all students meet weekly with their ministry professional and lay mentor as part of the mentored ministry experience. Prerequisite: T/M 500 Introduction to Christian Formation and Training and Mentoring. Each T/M course must be taken in sequence. One hour each.
T/M 713 Mentored Academic Project
Students in MA academic degree programs (biblical studies, Christian studies, philosophy of religion, and theology) write this learning contract to focus on professional development related to academic vocations. Prerequisite: T/M 500 Introduction to Christian Formation and Training and Mentoring. One hour.
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