TEACHING ACTIVITIES
ABOUT TEACHING ACTIVITIES
We know that the most valuable ministry training establishes good habits and practices that students will carry with them in their future work. Faculty modeling in the classroom plays a huge part in that. Here’s Charles Foster, senior scholar with the Carnegie Foundation study of clergy education:We asked seminary deans to identify teachers reflective about their practice. We discovered that … they modeled in their teaching the relevance and significance of disciplinary knowledge and skills, habits and perspectives for clergy practice. They did more. They coached students with varied backgrounds … into those same ways of thinking, being and doing through their repetition in class sessions and assignments. By engaging students in the rehearsal of dispositions, habits, and ways of thinking embedded in the deeper structures of their teaching practices, they cultivated student expertise to prepare them for the pastoral improvisations needed in addressing both familiar and unexpected challenges in daily clergy practice.Modeling matters in theological education. If it’s true that ministry leaders will be navigating cultures, convening community, presenting pastorally, and cultivating wise habits with the help of technology, then their instructors should be exploring and demonstrating how to approach those same tasks. Our motto: Whenever possible, show—don’t tell.
EXPLORE THE TEACHING ACTIVITIES

Why Ministry? Meme Assignment
Lisa Kimball, professor of Christian Education at VTSMargie Baker Memes are funny, memorable, and
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Using Online Reviews to Share Resources
Lisa Kimball, professor of Christian Education at VTSMargie Baker, Digital Coach This activity
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Bad Girls of the Bible: Jigsaw Activity
Judy Fentress-WilliamsSarah Stonesifer This assignment is part of the Bad Girls of the Bible
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Case Study & Toolkit Assignment: Parish Administration
Kathryn GloverMargie Baker This is a two-part assignment for a one-week intensive course on
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Bad Girls of the Bible: Online Course
Are you curious about how to design and facilitate an entirely online course? This guide offers a
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Technology Rule of Life
Several of our favorite books on technology and faith, including Tweet If You ♥ Jesus and The
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Understanding Networked Religion
The ministry landscape facing church leaders today is profoundly shaped by new media ...
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Integrated Christian Practices for Hybrid Lives
This teaching activity guides participants through a wide variety of Christian practices to engage
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Mapping Media and Religious Practices
This classroom activity by Mary Hess is intended to get participants reflecting on the similarities
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