A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education

by Jim L. Wilson, Earl Waggoner

Feedback and evaluation, both of oneself and by others, are the lifeblood of a successful ministry experience. In A Guide to Theological Reflection , experienced practical ministry professors Jim Wilson and Earl Waggoner introduce the processes and tools of theological reflection for ministry. Effective evaluation includes critique and potential course correction for the honest and willing minister, as well as positive affirmation of how one's desires influence good ministry decisions. A Guide to Theological Reflection introduces tools by which a minister can interact with his or her own thoughts, beliefs, and feelings; external feedback, such as that of a ministry supervisor; and Scripture to inform deep and transformative theological reflection. Designed as a textbook for practical ministry courses and theological field education, A Guide to Theological Reflection can also be used in ministry contexts. It provides guidance for students, ministers-in-training, mentors, and advisors, laying a theoretical foundation for theological reflection and demonstrating step-by-step how to practice it well.

Genres: Leadership

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Bryan Catherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost as if going back to my doctoral studies, Jim Willson and Earl Waggoner have provided us with a look into the process of theological reflection in ministry courses and field education. Their book is titled, A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education, published by Zondervan Academic in 2020. It's a textbook, of sorts, but it's not overly complicated or robust. A manual might be a better way to think about the book, only add some theological and philosophical underpinnings. It's much more than a how-to, but it certainly includes instruction and examples.

The back cover claims, "It [the book] provides direction for students, ministers-in-training, mentors, and advisors, laying a theoretical foundation for theological reflection and giving step-by-step instructions for its practical implementation." The pages between the front and back cover achieve this claim.

The first section of the book offers a look at what theological reflection is, and in many ways, what it is not. Definitions are discussed, biblical precedence and grounding offered, and a survey of previous models provide the foundation for their Reflection Loop model. The second section--and the bulk of the book-- is an offering of tools and instruction for using, teaching, and implementing theological reflection, specifically the Reflection Loop model. In this section, artifacts (as they call them) and examples from students help demonstrate the various tools. (Full disclosure: mine and some of my peer's theological reflection during our time at Gateway Seminary were used as examples. They are genuinely from actual students using real theological tools.)

I used something similar to the Four Task model for theological reflection during my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and Dr. Jim Wilson taught me the McCarty model while I was studying under his leadership at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now called Gateway Seminary.) It was clear that Dr. Wilson was evaluating the McCarty model and working on what eventually become the Reflection Loop model. While somewhat similar to other models, the Reflection Loop does indeed add stronger components to theological reflection. And after explaining the model, the examples and instruction drive home the value of Wilson and Waggoner's model.

Learning and practicing theological reflection was extremely valuable during my time at Gateway, and now the same tools and instruction are available in A Guide to Theological Reflection. I can't imagine the book will be the next popular read for every-day pastors. Still, I do believe the material in these pages would sharpen the pastor in most areas of his ministry if he were to read this book and practice more theological reflection. Anyone engaging in ministry field-training should consider implementing the tools found in the pages of Wilson and Waggoner's work. And professors responsible for internships and boots-on-the-ground learning should incorporate this book into their planning and mentorship. CPE and chaplain instructors might also benefit from reading this book. Even pastors implementing internships or residencies with their churches could use A Guide to Theological Reflection.

[RevRonR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned theological reflection years ago in a terrific hospital CPE program. Actually, it was my favorite part of verbatim writing. Seeing how God worked through me in support of patients and families that I ministered to, difficult cases, and follow up visits was always encouraging and helped me know that our work in the Lord is not in vain. Then I was excited to hear that a new text was coming out on theological reflection by two professors and looked forward to it with great anticipation. Up front, the excellence of this book lies in the full spectrum of the man, the ministry, and the God who enables us and works in us. Also, this book makes for an outstanding classroom text to aid students in journaling, acquiring mentors and benefitting from them, along with examples to support these. To make matters easier, you don’t have to be a student to use this text. It’s self-explanatory for the most part and could be a game-changer for the better for any minister who utilizes even half of the material written in here. I will say here that to better our ministry, sometimes we need to better ourselves. The authors have provided a great service in support of pastors, chaplains, and others who serve in ministry with one of the best tools available to accomplish this. I SO highly recommend this book to all those who serve in the roles noted above. The difference it will make for them personally and in ministry will be awesome!

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful "conversation starter" on the place of pastoral reflection in theological field education. It method articulated, while still not fully fleshed out, mirrors the traditional CPE experience, focusing on journaling, verbatims, both one-on-one mentoring and peer mentoring.

This is one of the best examples of researched and reviewed approaches that I have seen outside CPE material, which is an additional strength of the book. The examples provided, such as the verbatim in chapter 7 and growth covenant in chapter 8, make up for some of the lesser-formed content.

Aside from assuming supervision can only occur through face-to-face interactions, the book ends rather abruptly -- as if something is missing from the book. That being said, I plan to implement this text into my fieldwork course and see how it works.

[Spencer Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a seminary course, it was very good but unless you’re taking this course or a similar one you would need to enlist people to help you fulfill certain parts. Still, some very good bits here on bridging the gap between what we confess and what we practice.

[Heather J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful, accessible. The chapter on intentionality (with time, energy, etc) was worth the price of the book).