Preparing for Ministry Through Contextual Education

At Saint Paul, we focus a portion of our theology curriculum on contextual education and hands-on learning. Students that graduate from our Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) programs gain valuable experience in and out of the classroom, through ministry internships, congregational site visits, small focus groups, case studies, and a year-long mentorship. Our goal is to thoroughly prepare you for the realities of ministry in your own community. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and do the good work God called you for:

instructor guides students in activity in Oklahoma Seminary class

PLUM Groups

Preparing for Local Ministries (PLUM) is a two-semester sequence of courses (CTX 301-302) that functions as the introduction to our Contextual Education curriculum. PLUM provides MDiv students the unique opportunity to learn together in the same group and with the same experienced practitioner of ministry for two consecutive semesters. For help meeting these requirements and finding a Ministry Setting, please contact the Director of Contextual Education. 

PLUM groups:

  • Are required for MDiv students
  • Are kept small
  • Reflect on ministry and seminary life
  • Are led by an experienced practitioner of ministry
  • Include two semesters with the same group and leader
  • Include site visits to congregations and social ministries
  • Involve in-depth case studies
  • Require a concurrent Ministry Setting

Judd H. Jones Scholarship & Internship Placement at The Hub

The Judd H. Jones Internship is for any Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) or Master of Divinity (MDiv) student living in the greater Kansas City area.

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instructor laughs with Oklahoma seminary students in hallway

Ministry Collaboration Groups

Students in Ministry Collaboration Groups reflect on experience in life and ministry. These groups: 

  • Are kept small
  • Are led by a regular or adjunct faculty member
  • May include case studies, learning goals, written assignments, short readings, self-reflection, and self-evaluation
  • Require a concurrent Ministry Setting

For help meeting these requirements and finding a Ministry Setting, please contact the Director of Contextual Education.

 

MACM Collaboration Groups

Students in the Master of Arts Collaboration Groups reflect on their unique experiences in life and ministry as they journey through the MACM track together. These groups:
• Are kept small
• Are led by a regular faculty member or practitioner
• May include case studies, learning goals, written assignments, short readings, self-reflection, and self-evaluation
• May include interviews with seminary-trained leaders in diverse specialized ministry settings
• Require a concurrent Ministry Setting 

For help meeting these requirements and finding a Ministry Setting, please contact the Director of Contextual Education.

woman smiles in pew during ministry service

Ministry Settings

All students enrolled in a Contextual Education (CTX) course must serve in an approved Ministry Setting for a minimum of four hours per week. The Ministry Setting may be a paid or volunteer position.

It is the student’s task to find an appropriate setting for ministry. Students are expected to make timely contact with potential employers or volunteer coordinators if they do not already have a ministry position. The Director of Contextual Education can assist students in locating possible settings for ministry.

Information on open part-time positions is available on the Moodle Student Bulletin Board, and notices are shared with students through SPST email as they are submitted to Saint Paul. These typically include pastoral, youth, children, music, and Christian education positions.

If you have an opportunity to share with students or are looking for career opportunities, please visit our Job Openings page.