An Evaluation of Central Philippine Adventist College's ministerial externship program : a basis for the formulation of an externship handbook

Abstract

The ministerial externship program (MEP) is an academic discipline at Central Philippine Adventist College (CPAC) School of Theology (SOT). This program emphasizes the importance of practical field training (PFT) for students in ministry. The program demands that students spend considerable amount of time on on-site nonclassroom learning under the tutelage of ministry practitioners. Since CPAC SOT founded the program in 1987, it had not undergone any evaluation on relevancy and effectiveness to its implementation to current pastoral formation. Thus, this study attempted to evaluate the MEPs (a) biblical-theological and theoretical foundations, (b) level of relevancy and effectiveness, (c) consistency of supervision and support, and (d) level of effectiveness concerning pastoral formation. Using descriptive statistics, the result shows a very significant link between theoretical and practical knowledge to advance ministerial students learning. Contextualizing theoretical instruction for each training modules was deemed very relevant. The competence of theoretical input preparations preceding the on-site practical training was perceived to be very consistent. The level of field support gained by the program was similarly very consistent, indicating its positive impact on the community. The respondents view on the relevancy of the MEP was also very relevant. The aspect of supervision was also perceived as very consistent. However, the overall effectiveness of the MEP was perceived to be effective only. The study concludes that the MEP as a pastoral formation strategy finds support from the Scripture and modern educational theories. However, the study reveals that there is a need to streamline its implementation, suggesting that a manual/handbook could help enhance its relevancy and effectiveness. The study ends with the formulation of a handbook intended to serve as manual for the conduct of the MEP at CPAC SOT.