Tools for Reflective Ministry

by Sally Nash, Paul Nash

Overview

In reflective practice we are asked to consider our own experiences and ask 'what went well?', 'what went badly' and 'how might I do better next time?'

Tools for Reflective Ministry contains practical exercises and ideas on how to do this theologically and spiritually, putting Christianity at the core of the discipline.

Topics covered include: using metaphor in reflection; spiritual practices for reflection; reframing the past, imagining the future, understanding the present; using culture in reflection; reflecting without words; reflecting with nature; reflecting together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281059935
Publisher:	Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
Publication date:	06/25/2009
Series:	Spck Library of Ministry
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.41(d)

About the Author

Dr Sally Nash is Director of the Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry and has been involved in Christian youth work for twenty-five years mainly in the support and training of youth workers. Revd Paul Nash is Senior Chaplain at Birmingham Children's Hospital and a Tutor at the Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry.

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgements xii
Introduction 1
Why this book? 1
What is reflection? 3
Ministry 4
Discernment and decision-making 5
Learning and learning styles 6
How to make the most ofreflecting 7
Journalling 9
The rest of the book 11
Part I
FOUNDATIONS
1 Being reflective 15
Setting the context 15
Defining and exploring reflection 21
Reflective practice 27
Ways into reflecting on practice 28
2 Being theologically reflective 34
What is theological reflection? 35
Issues around theological reflection as a methodology 38
Skills and qualities needed for theological reflection 39
Metaphors of theological reflection 40
Ways into theologically reflective practice 42
Frameworks for theological reflection 50
Conclusion 52
Part II
CONTEXTS
3 Using metaphor in reflection 57
Process for reflecting with a metaphor 59
Biblical metaphors 60
Metaphors ofministry and priesthood 61
Life-shaping metaphors 65
Transferred metaphors 66
Poetic metaphors 68
Conclusion 69
4 Spiritual practices for reflection 70
Reflecting with the Bible 71
Sources from our Christian heritage 78
Theological stories 85
Takeaways 87
Processing what has happened to us in the past 88
Conclusion 90
5 Reframing the past,imagining the future,
understanding the present 91
Reframing and rewriting classic texts 91
Biblical resources and starting points 95
Reflecting with theology 99
Learning from monastic communities 100
Paradigm shifts 101
Conclusion 102
6 Using culture in reflection 103
Context 105
Celtic spirituality 107
Images and imagination 108
Metaphors ofculture 108
Analysing texts from popular culture 109
Reflecting with music 110
Reflecting with film 112
Stories 113
Sayings 115
Conclusion 115
7 Reflecting without words 117
Why reflect without words? 118
Visual theology 119
Creative processes 120
Signs and symbols 121
Music 122
Tools and exercises for reflecting without words 123
Conclusion 131
8 Reflecting with nature 134
Examples ofreflection on nature 135
Using our senses 138
Seasons 139
Tools for reflecting with nature 140
Conclusion 144
9 Reflecting together 145
Inclusion,control and affection 146
Ground rules 146
Building activities 147
Communities ofpractice 148
Tools and exercises for reflecting together 149
Conclusion 162
Afterword 163
Being reflective ministers 163
End of the journey 165
Bibliography 167
Further reading 173
Index of subjects and names 177
Index of tools and exercises 179