THMN45330: Consultancy for Mission and Ministry

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• to introduce students to the language, concepts and methods employed in the professional practice of consultancy
• to develop students as effective consultants through the development of high level skills in contextual analysis and the application of in depth knowledge
• to enable students to critically evaluate a number of competing consultancy models and develop their personal model of consultancy praxis

• Introduction to the language, concepts and methods used in consultancy praxis
• Critical examination of constitutive elements of consultancy practice, underlying bodies of knowledge and key skills, including the interdisciplinary approach of Congregational Studies; the module may, as appropriate, engage with other relevant ministerial fields of study such as Missiology, Christian Education and Discipleship, Pastoral Care, and others
• Evaluation and application of a range of consultancy models, methods, and tools appropriate to the design of consultancy offered for a range of problems, cases, and situations
• Contextual examination of the issues for consultancy in Christian settings in support of more effective ministry and mission
• Analytical frameworks for reading and evaluating consultancy modes and models
• Organisational theories, methods and tools from a range of sources and a detailed examination of their suitability for use in church contexts
• Preparation for, execution and critique of consultations in a variety of roles

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the module the student will have:
• Gained a conceptual understanding of the methods and tools applied in consultancy practice.
• Explored and critically evaluated the contextual issues for consultancy in Christian settings, and the suitability of organisational theories, methods and tools for application in church contexts.
• Evaluated the diverse responses required in different consultancy situations showing a critical awareness of key concepts and models necessary for the development of consultancy praxis.

Subject-specific Skills:

• By the end of the module the student will have:
• Critically related research, theory and practice from theology, organisational studies and consultancy in a creative and reflective way, according to professional/vocational context where appropriate.
• Integrated and applied these disciplines in consultations in a productive and safe manner, paying particular attention to theological reflection, context and tradition in the development of reflective practice.
• Made significant progress in developing their own professional, rigorous, theory based consultancy model, particularly in terms of understanding the different roles in consultations.

Key Skills:

• By the end of the module the student will be able to:
• Critically engage with and synthesise information through reading and research, and to present this clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
• Demonstrate their ability to analyse their practice and develop as reflective practitioners.
• Effectively communicate complex ideas orally and in written format
• Determine appropriate advanced techniques of analysis and enquiry within their applied specialist field.

• The module will be taught by the Revd David Dadswell. Other experienced practitioners will be involved in introducing students to working consultancy models and key issues arising from a variety of Christian contexts. Learning will be delivered through staff led seminars, supervised, experiential consultancy sessions with other students and external guests, guest lectures and distance learning material.
• The co-consultancy groups enable students to work in pairs and trios as consultants, consultors and observers on a number of exercises which focus on consultancy practice. After the group sessions, students all engage in reflection, learning and implications for practice.

A critical outline of the process of developing a consultancy contract for a consultation in a church setting including an analysis of the differing contexts in operation in the setting and a justification for the contents of the contract, 2000 words.

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