This study raises the issue that although most ministers, after graduating from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at theological seminaries, serve as associate ministers engaged in educational ministry within church schools, the reality is that ...
This study raises the issue that although most ministers, after graduating from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at theological seminaries, serve as associate ministers engaged in educational ministry within church schools, the reality is that the M.Div. program offers only one to four required courses related to church education. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a retraining curriculum to strengthen the competencies of church school education ministers who are performing educational ministry duties.
In order to develop the retraining curriculum, a literature review and case analysis were conducted to derive 39 items of educational content to be addressed in the retraining curriculum, along with 15 qualities and 22 roles constituting the required competencies of church school education ministers. By integrating the general curriculum development models of Tyler, Taba, and Walker with the Christian curriculum development models of Brummelen, Overman & Johnson, and Greene, a "Retraining Curriculum Development Model" was proposed. Based on this model, survey research, the Delphi technique, and suitability review were conducted.
The survey research was conducted with 304 educational ministers currently serving in church school educational ministry after graduating from M.Div. programs. The results showed that participants recognized the need for retraining to strengthen competencies, and believed it would impact the spiritual and qualitative growth of church schools. However, findings revealed that actual participation was hindered by lack of time due to ministry duties, content disconnected from reality, and lack of personal interest in retraining. To analyze the demands for retraining, Borich’s Need Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model were employed to derive priorities regarding educational content, qualities, and roles. The analysis identified the highest priority educational content as: next-generation worship planning, understanding the next generation, next-generation catechetical education, philosophy and planning of teacher training, next-generation discipleship training, next-generation Bible reading, ministry planning for education ministers, church-family linkage, parents education, and communication methods with the next generation. Regarding the qualities that the church school educational ministers have to have, the highest priorities were a sense of calling for Christian education, responsibility for ministry, and a character marked by healthy self-awareness and courtesy; regarding their roles that they have to carry out, the highest priorities were identified as motivating learners toward education and discovering volunteers as well as developing leadership.
Using the survey results as reference data, a preliminary survey and three rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted with a panel of 15 experts. The preliminary survey collected opinions on the necessity of retraining, its benefits, appropriate educational institutions for retraining implementation, appropriate implementation periods as well as implementation cycle of retraining. Through the first and second rounds of research, consensus was reached and accepted on the church school education ministers’ competencies, retraining learning objectives, and subjects. In the third round of research, a four-semester retraining curriculum was organized based on the agreed-upon competencies of the church school education ministers and subjects. Subsequently, the retraining curriculum for strengthening the competencies of church school education ministers was finalized through two rounds of suitability review with three experts.
The finalized retraining curriculum consists of seven core competencies (Calling and Attitude Competency, Spiritual Awareness of God Competency, Biblical Understanding Competency, Teaching Competency, Educational Administration Competency, Character Competency, and Empathetic Communication Competency), one educational purpose, ten educational goals, and twenty-four courses categorized into 1 subject on calling, 10 subjects on knowledge, 7 subjects on practice, 5 subjects on relationship, and 1 subject on others. The four-semester program comprises 13 required and 11 elective courses. The study presented major and related competencies strengthened by each subject, along with assigned semester for each subject, area classification, education content, and teaching methods. The operational plan suggested the curriculum be run under the guidance of General Assembly and Presbytery, in cooperation with theological seminaries, General Assembly Education Center (Department of Education, Development Institute), and a specialized Christian education research institutions. It recommended an implementation period of 1–3 months on an annual cycle, and a recommended instructional time of two hours per subject.
Keywords: Church School, Education Minister, Competencies, Retraining, Curriculum, Qualities, Roles, Christian Education, Faith Education, Next Generation, Survey Research, Need Assessment, Delphi Technique