Module: Theology of Ministry

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Theology of Ministry
Module Code	WEL1001 (ITS: HD8100)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This course is rooted in the premise that all consideration of ministry must take place in an ecclesial context. Hence the philosophy underpinning this course is based on a belief that all discussion of ministry begins with our understanding of what it is to be a faith community, and is implicitly linked to a theological understanding of God. This course will consider the historical evolution of the practice of ministry over 2,000 years of Christian growth. Vatican II and its influence on a renewed theology of ministry as intercultural and interreligious shall also be critiqued. Pastoral ministry, ordained and lay, shall be considered from a universal perspective, in so far as possible. The particular needs of Europe, and of Ireland shall also be addressed.

Learning Outcomes

1. Engage with the early sources, beliefs and practices which have defined Christian ministry making guided use of primary and secondary documentation.
2. Argue and reference a point of view in the theology of ministry supported by relevant academic sources
3. Demonstrate an ability to organise and communicate their understanding of issues in the theology of ministry through written assignment.
4. Critique current ecclesial strengths and deficits and suggest, in creative fidelity to the past, theologically rooted responses to the pastoral role of chaplaincy in the 21st century.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Assignment Completion	125	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10458	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sandra Cullen	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Church Ministry

Church and image of God

History of Ministry

Vatican II

Ministry, ordained and non-ordained

Ministry in Europe and Ireland

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Austin Flannery: 1975, Vatican Council II, Vol I and II, Costello Publications Company,
Faith and Order paper no. 111: 1982, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, World Council of Churches, Geneva,
Wood, Susan K., ed: 2003, Ordering the Baptismal Priesthood: Theologies of Lay and Ordained Ministry, Liturgical Press Collegeville,
Paul F. Bradshaw: 1990, Ordination Rites of the Ancient Churches of East and West, Pueblo,
Raymond E. Brown: 1984, The Churches the Apostles left Behind, Paulist Press, London,
Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Hermann Häring eds: 1999, he Non-Ordination of Women and the Politics of Power, Concilium,
Cardinal Roger Mahoney and the Priests of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles: 2000, As I Have Done for You,
Nathan Mitchell: 1982, Mission and Ministry – History and Theology of the Sacrament of Orders, Delaware,
Osborne Kenan B: 1993, Ministry: Lay Ministry in the Roman Catholic Church, Its History and Theology, Paulist Press, New York,
Power, David N: 1992, Gifts that Differ: Lay Ministries, Established and Unestablished, Liturgical Press, New York,
Schillebeeckx, Edward: 1985, The Church with a Human Face – a New and Expanded Theology of Ministry, SCM Press, London,
Congar, Yves: 1965, Lay People in the Church, Geoffrey Chapman, London,
John N. Collins: 1990, Diakonia: Re-Interpreting the Ancient Sources, Oxford University Press, Oxford,

Articles:

Susan Ross, Maria Clara Bingemer and Paul Murray eds: 2010, Ministries in the Church, 1, 37277
2009: Theology of Ministry, The Furrow, vol.60, 588-5, 37278, 2
Collaborators, Informers and Secret Service: New Blackfriars,

Other Resources

Website: Co-workers, http://www.co-workers.org/
Website: Vatican, Vatican Website, http://www.vatican.va/