We are very appreciative of your willingness to be involved in a ministry discernment for one of our students. We are convinced that a vital part of our ministry is to help students understand themselves and gain insights to guide them in planning for the future.

More specifically, we desire that it be an opportunity for:

• the discernment and affirmation of gifts,
• the identification of strengths and growth areas in the domains of interpersonal styles and skills, work management, life management, etc.
• processing the fit between vocational direction and gifts/strengths,
• offering counsel regarding particular questions which the student may have or the group considers important, and
• the assessment of one’s readiness for ministry.

The actual discernment sessions will involve approximately 1.5 hours of time, most often on the Seminary campus. It is a fairly informal session led by the student’s faculty advisor. The group consists of 8 people (two faculty members, the student and spouse if married, SME supervisor or pastor, two students, one person from the student’s local church, and one other person of the student’s choice).

The flow of a session is often as follows:

• Introductions of discernment group,
• Brief “life story” by the person(s) being discerned,
• Dialogue around the self-reflections prepared by the student (and spouse if applicable),
• Focusing on counsel for vocational direction and any other areas for which counsel is requested, and
• Prayer for the person or couple.

The following are questions we pose to the student (and spouse). We encourage you to jot down some reflections along similar lines and to be prepared to offer them during the session.

Personal Qualities and Growth

• What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?
• What insights about yourself have you gained from the personality inventories, Interpersonal Communications class, or feedback from others?
• How would you assess your spiritual “self-care” skills and routines (i.e. prayer, Scripture reading)?
• How well do you manage your life (e.g., schedule, finances)?
• In what ways have you grown personally while at seminary?

Marriage and Family Life

• If married, what are strengths and growth areas of your relationship?
• What is the nature of your relationship with your extended family? Do you have their blessing for ministry?
• If a parent, how do you assess your parenting effectiveness?

Ministry Skills

How do you see the adequacy of your ministry knowledge and skills in the areas of:

• vision building,
• preaching,
• teaching,
• evangelizing,
• conflict resolution,
• group leadership,
• counseling,
• equipping,
• administration,
• pastoral care and visitation

Rate on a scale from 1 (Low or undeveloped) to 10 High or well-developed)

Vocational Development

• Your spiritual gifts, as you see them are…
• what are your vocational plans?
• In what areas do you feel most, and least, ready for ministry?
• What insights about your vocational direction have you gained from your field education’s experience?

Areas for Group Counsel

Are there any issues/questions about which you want the input and counsel of the group?

Assesment of Seminary

Comments regarding the ways in which the program/experience has been helpful, as well as suggestions for further development.

Sharing by Student’s Spouse

We look forward to hearing from the student’s spouse on items like:

• What do you see as your gifts, interests, and goals?
• How do you see your spouse’s strengths and vocational goals?