Field Education and Supervised Ministry

Field Education and Supervised Ministry is a learning/serving experience. It produces growth in professional skills, and personal and vocational identity with students functioning in ministerial settings. Through reflection, academic studies are integrated with ministerial practice. Field Education While Brite Divinity School does not operate a job placement service, the Office of Field Education and Supervised Ministry serves as an honest broker to help match students seeking jobs with congregations and agencies looking for part-time seminary workers. Students seeking "learning and earning" experiences while in seminary can commence the search process by filling out the Field Education Information Application. As requested, the Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry provides vocational counseling and conversation for students seeking employment. Supervised Ministry The Supervised Year in Ministry (PRTH 65013 and PRTH 65023, which must be taken sequentially in the fall and spring semesters) is an essential component of Brite's M.Div. and M.A.T.M. degree programs. The purpose of the Supervised Year in Ministry is threefold: (1) to make a Minister-in-Training available to a local church or agency for service as a pastor, youth minister, student associate, or other agency-based ministries; (2) to help the student toward a better self-understanding both as a person and as a pastor or non-profit ministerial leader; and (3) to help the student develop a sustainable spiritual discipline and professional ministerial career. The Supervised Year in Ministry is normally undertaken by M.Div. and M.A.T.M. students in the second academic year along with regular academic courses. The program requires close supervision in an approved field setting (confirmed by a learning covenant signed by the supervisor, the student and the Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry) and participation in a Theological Reflection Group (TRG). While encouraged to experience the total work of ministry, the student may concentrate in one or more specific areas such as parish ministry, chaplaincy, youth ministry, or Christian education. The supervised year in ministry carries a total of six semester hours credit. A student must have satisfactorily completed twenty-one semester hours of seminary credit before enrollment in the supervised year. Arrangements for field settings are made in cooperation with the Office of Field Education and Supervised Ministry. The director of the program is responsible for training approved field supervisors and for nominating theological reflection group leaders to the full faculty for confirmation. The director consults with field supervisors, TRG leaders, and students on matters pertaining to supervised ministry. A mandatory meeting is held in the spring for students who plan to enroll in Supervised Ministry in the fall. An orientation for students and their supervisors is held each year on the Thursday before the first day of class and an orientation for students and their lay/peer training committee members is held each year on the Saturday before the first day of classes. Theological Reflection Groups The Theological Reflection Groups are regularly scheduled meetings of small groups of students (7 or less) with a pastoral leader and a faculty consultant. These conferences are reflective and integrative in nature. Aspects of ministerial practice are presented during the conference for analysis and evaluation, utilizing, and integrating the various theological disciplines. The student is expected to be able to share (communicate) his/her theological perspective. CLICK HERE to view the Theological Reflection Group Leaders.