Fall
CM 322
Advanced Integrated Field Experience
Dear Ministry Supervisor,
Greetings from the Trinity International University Christian Ministries
Department! We would like to thank you for your willingness to mentor a
student and involve him or her in the ministry or organization in which you
are presently involved. This is the second of two "Integrated Field
Experiences" (Advanced IFE) that the student will be involved
with while in the Christian Ministries track here at Trinity.
This second year of IFE is designed to build on the "exposure"
the student received in his or her first year of IFE by providing additional
leadership and ministry preparation experience. Your mentoring of a student
will be crucial in their development and understanding of what some of the
realities of ministry are. Some things you might consider involving them in:
 | decision-making situations |
| planning activities |
| leading small groups or teams |
| being a mentor to others |
|
| administrative tasks |
| training volunteers |
| teaching opportunities |
| taking over a segment of the ministry |
|
While mentoring the student is key, we also realize you are involved on a
part or full-time basis and cannot neglect your ministry. We hope that the
previous training and classroom experience the student has received can make
your job easier, not more difficult, as he or she experiences ministry
firsthand.
In addition to learning from you, the student has other assignments, some
of which involve you. They are required to:
- Complete a "Ministry Involvement Information Sheet
"
which includes the responsibilities and roles they will play in your
ministry this semester (may be revised for second semester at your
discretion), and their expected time commitments. At the end of the semester
they report their actual time involvement in your ministry.
Develop a set of goals (including Personal Maturity, Interpersonal
Competence, and Ministry Skills) that they will work on throughout the
semester. For accountability issues, they are required to discuss the goals
and their progress with you on at 3 intervals in each semester.
In the Fall: Read and discuss a book called The Way of the Heart,
by Henri Nouwen. You are not required to do anything with this, but it is
a great book if you haven’t read it. In the Spring: Students will
participate in small groups discussing actual case studies, looking
for sound biblical solutions to real life problems. This would be a great
time to discuss with them some of the challenges you have faced in your
position as a leader.
Obtain a formal means of feedback from you at the end of the
semester (Fall: see the Mid-Year Supervisors evaluation, Spring: letter of
recommendation-- at the end of this packet). The student should let you know
when they need it by.
We have enclosed three documents for your assistance.
- As mentioned above, a "Mid-Year
Supervisor’s Evaluation" form (Fall) or Final
Evaluation/Letter of Recommendation (Spring).
- An information sheet (2 sides)
explaining our Integrated Field Experience courses in detail. In the
second year of IFE they are expected to put in about 8-10 hours per week
toward your ministry or organization.
- A page (2-sides) that shares our departmental
purpose, vision, and focus, and then describes how we are attempting
to facilitate growth through setting goals. This page will help
you work with your student as they set their goals.
Again, thank you for your assistance this year. We sincerely hope this
student will be a blessing to you and are doing our best to facilitate that
being so! Please feel free to contact one of us if you have any questions or
concerns.
Please address all correspondence to:
Trinity International University
Department of Christian Ministries
2065 Half Day Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
Serving Christ,
|
James W. Mohler, PhD
Chair, Christian Ministries
847-317-7147
jmohler@tiu.edu |
Jana Sundene
Professor, Christian Ministries
847-317-7165
jsundene@tiu.edu |
Michael Cooper, PhD
Professor, Christian Ministries
847-317-8010
mcooper@tiu.edu |
We value your
contribution to the growth and development of this student! |
