Global Ministries University & People’s Catholic Seminary
Master of Pastoral Ministry Degree
All courses are 3 credits with the exception of the Master of Ministry Project which is six credits.
MM100 Introductory / Foundational
101. Contemporary Theology for the People of God
MM200 Jesus, Life and Teachings
201. Rediscovering Jesus in a Companionship of Empowerment
MM300 Women and Religion
301. Spiritual Encounters with Women Mystics
302. Feminist Introduction to the Bible: Women in the Hebrew Scripture
303. Feminist Introduction to the Bible: Women in the Christian Scriptures
MM400 Sacraments
401. Sacraments: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
402. Eucharist: Embracing an Open Table
403. Baptism and Confirmation
404. Reshaping the Priesthood as a Discipleship of Equals
405. Marriage, Sexuality and Just-Love
406. Anointing and Healing
407: Reconciliation
MM500 Future Church
501. Future Church: Evolving, Empowering and Egalitarian
502. Social Justice and Ethics
MM600 Pastoral Development
601. Homiletics and Preaching
602. Spiritual Direction: Spiritual Companions on a Journey
603. Spirituality and the Art
MM700 Master of Ministry Project
701. Master of Ministry Project (6 credits)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
MM101. Contemporary Theology for the People of God
This course introduces pastoral leaders in inclusive communities to an accessible contemporary theology that presents a tapestry of the Divine Presence Who lovingly invites us into the fullness of life for all creation, explores the diverse and fuller naming of the Divine that encompasses the full reality of women and men of all races and classes, and illuminates a rich variety of theological approaches to compassionate living in our work for peace, justice and ecological wholeness.
MM201. Rediscovering Jesus in a Companionship of Empowerment
This course introduces the deep wisdom of recent biblical scholarship on the life and teachings of Jesus and the challenges it presents to believers today, and reimagines the Christian call to live as co-creators and empowered individuals within an egalitarian church community.
MM301. Spiritual Encounters with Women Mystics
This course explores the Christian’s call to be a visible mystic and agent of prophetic witness in the church and world community through a ministry rooted in contemplation and action.
MM302. Feminist Introduction to the Bible: Women in the Hebrew Scripture
This course presents a contemporary, biblical understanding of the women in the Hebrew Scripture as role models for contemporary women and men in the 21st century.
MM303. Feminist Introduction to the Bible: Women in the Christian Scripture
This course studies the stories of women in the Gospel as companions and equals with the male disciples, incorporates feminist theological scholarship on the background and context of women in the Gospels, and explores women in the Christian Scripture as role models for contemporary women and men in ministry.
MM401. Sacraments: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
his course presents sacramental development throughout history, exposes how church fathers and scholastic theologians misinterpreted ancient texts to prove Catholic doctrine, introduces critical analysis of sacramental theologies that no longer meet the needs of contemporary Catholics and reimagines sacramental experiences and rituals in a diversified global church.
MM402. Eucharist: Embracing an Open Table
This course covers the development of the sacrament of the Eucharist from atonement theology to a theology of blessing, supports pastoral leaders in developing and praying contemporary Eucharistic celebrations through the liturgical year and builds a database of creative resources for a contemporary lectionary.
MM403. Baptism and Confirmation
This course explores the development of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, articulates the commitment to Gospel living by integrating theological reflection, spirituality and ministerial experience, and supports pastoral leaders in developing contemporary baptism and confirmation rituals for their Christian Communities that reflect the heart of the call to live the Gospel as mystics, prophets and sacramental celebrators of life.
MM404. Reshaping the Priesthood as a Discipleship of Equals
This course examines the role of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests’ Movement in reshaping and redefining priestly and pastoral ministry as a discipleship of equals in the 21st century.
MM405. Marriage, Sexuality and Just-Love
This course provides an overview of the development of the sacrament of marriage, and presents Christian sexual ethics within a just-love framework. It integrates theological reflection, spirituality and ministerial experience in order to support pastoral leaders in developing contemporary marriage rituals for their Christian Communities that reflect the heart of the call to live the Gospel as mystics, prophets and sacramental celebrators of life.
MM406. Anointing of the Sick
This course explores the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as an encounter with divine healing love that energizes and transforms body, mind, and spirit, reflects on meditation as a tool in self-healing and vitality, and creates create contemporary celebrations of Anointing of the Sick that respond to diverse pastoral needs.
MM407. Sacrament of Reconciliation
This course presents the sacrament of reconciliation as an encounter with Divine healing and transforming love, reflects on role of priest and community, and creates a contemporary celebration of reconciliation that responds to diverse pastoral needs.
MM501. Future Church: Evolving, Empowering and Egalitarian
The course proposes a visionary framework for understanding the evolution of religions and specifically the transitions that continue to evolve in Christianity. Paul Smith, author of Integral Christianity introduces the integral approach that Jesus advocated in his time and that traditional Christianity has been unable to see. This course invites participants to analyze this framework and apply it to the present evolving changes occurring in Christianity, specifically the Roman Catholic Church.
MM502. Social Justice and Ethics
This course explores issues and theologies of social justice and ethics that build a just society; reflects on the scriptural foundations of Catholic social teaching, and examines the social and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in light of concrete issues such as human rights, refugees, peace-building, war, violence, discrimination, environmental degradation, economic exploitation, reproductive rights, racism, sexism, and homophobia.
MM601. Homiletics and Preaching
This course provides a framework to create inspiring homilies, to implement effective delivery, and to incorporate contemporary scholarship of scripture through various approaches to sermon development.
MM602. Spiritual Direction: Spiritual Companions on a Journey
Spiritual Direction; Spiritual Companions on a Journey
This course provides an introduction to the ancient practice of spiritual companionship or spiritual friendship in the Christian tradition. It gives helpful input about what to look for in searching for a spiritual director, how to prepare to be one, and how to help those who are called to this distinctive ministry.
MM603. Spirituality and the Art
This course provides a path to creative expression of the Divine Presence and oneness of all people and creation. Through readings, videos, art-making, students will express their mystical, prophetic, sacramental vision of ministry for the 21st century.
MM701. Master in Ministry: Ministerial Project (6 credits)
A student will choose a primary focus of ministry that is related to the student’s interests and/or practices of ministry as the topic of the Master of Ministry Project. The written reflection on this Master of Ministry Project should state the goals of the selected ministry action, and clearly demonstrate the student’s knowledge and skills in the practice of ministry. This project should also describe the context of ministerial action, and integrate the learning from course work and readings in the Master of Ministry program. It should articulate the student’s vision of ministry, a description of personal gifts, opportunities, challenges, hopes and dreams for self and others involved in the project. The reflection paper should also describe the participation of people/faith community in the project and conclude with an annotated bibliography of sources used in the ministry project. The student should work closely with the administrators during this phase of the program.
Instructors: Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan and Dr. Mary Theresa Streck
Bridget Mary Meehan, MA, DMin, ARCWP, a Sister for Christian Community, is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. Bridget Mary presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry. She is an author of twenty books including The Healing Power of Prayer: New and Expanded Edition. Her work in communications media include programs about women priests on Google and YouTube. Bridget Mary was ordained a priest in the first USA ordination in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2006 and was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara, California on April 19, 2009.
Mary Theresa Streck, Ed.D., DMin, ARCWP is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, NY. She presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry and is a member of the ARCWP Program of Preparation team. Mary Theresa is an educator and artist who designs and creates sacred arts. She earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Sage Colleges and a Doctorate in Ministry from Global Ministries University. She was ordained a priest on September 15, 2013.
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