BTheol Bachelor of Theology Pastoral Ministry 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and its significance for pastoral ministry?
- Christ's command to make disciples of all nations through baptism and teaching, undergirding the church's mission (Correct answer)
- The command to build churches in every city before Christ returns
- Paul's instructions to Timothy about church leadership standards
- The directive to care for widows and orphans in the congregation
Correct answer: Christ's command to make disciples of all nations through baptism and teaching, undergirding the church's mission
The Great Commission is Christ's foundational charge to the church to disciple all nations through evangelism, baptism, and ongoing biblical instruction—the theological basis for all missionary and pastoral work.
Question 2: What does 'liturgy' mean in the context of Christian worship and pastoral practice?
- The ordered structure of public worship, including prayers, Scripture readings, and sacraments (Correct answer)
- Private devotional reading of Scripture
- The sermon series plan for the church year
- The financial stewardship report to the congregation
Correct answer: The ordered structure of public worship, including prayers, Scripture readings, and sacraments
Liturgy refers to the structured patterns and forms of public worship that guide a congregation through prayer, Scripture, praise, and sacrament in an orderly, communal way.
Question 3: What is 'missiology' as studied in a Bachelor of Theology program?
- The theological study of the church's mission and cross-cultural proclamation of the gospel (Correct answer)
- The history of American denominations
- The study of Old Testament missionary texts only
- Church administration and organizational management
Correct answer: The theological study of the church's mission and cross-cultural proclamation of the gospel
Missiology examines the theology, history, strategy, and cultural dimensions of Christian mission—equipping ministers for cross-cultural ministry and global evangelism.
Question 4: In pastoral care, what does 'visitation ministry' typically involve?
- Personally visiting congregation members who are sick, homebound, bereaved, or in crisis (Correct answer)
- Sending weekly letters to church attendees
- Hosting visitors to the church building for tours
- Organizing community outreach events in the neighborhood
Correct answer: Personally visiting congregation members who are sick, homebound, bereaved, or in crisis
Visitation ministry follows the example of Christ the shepherd by the pastor personally going to those in need—hospitals, homes, prisons—providing presence, prayer, and spiritual support.
Question 5: What is the role of 'small groups' or 'cell groups' in contemporary pastoral ministry?
- To foster community, discipleship, and mutual accountability among church members in intimate settings (Correct answer)
- To replace Sunday morning worship services with home meetings
- To provide a forum for theological debates among trained members
- To organize fundraising campaigns for church building projects
Correct answer: To foster community, discipleship, and mutual accountability among church members in intimate settings
Small groups create relational contexts where biblical community, mutual encouragement, prayer, and discipleship can flourish beyond what large-group worship alone can provide.
Question 6: What is 'contextual theology' and why is it important in pastoral ministry?
- Theology that engages the specific cultural, social, and historical context of a particular community (Correct answer)
- Theology that studies the historical context of ancient Israel only
- The practice of reading Scripture in its original languages
- Applying systematic theology without cultural adaptation
Correct answer: Theology that engages the specific cultural, social, and historical context of a particular community
Contextual theology recognizes that the gospel must be communicated and lived out in culturally relevant ways, requiring ministers to understand local realities while remaining faithful to Scripture.
BTheol Bachelor of Theology Pastoral Ministry 2
What is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and its significance for pastoral ministry?