MVP Training & Formation

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Formation for faithful leadership. Explore courses for CREs, pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders.

Training scheduleLeadership pathsCatalog source: Church Commons

Course information is maintained by Church Commons and refreshed automatically on MVP. Course numbers identify curriculum areas, not a learner’s experience. Prerequisites apply only when listed.

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PRAC 103 · 100 Series

Practicum: Community Mission as Relationship Building/Christian Community

Foundational Ministry Practice

About this course

This practicum introduces students to the theory and practice of Christian mission as a community-building endeavor rooted in relationship, mutuality, and shared witness, rather than solely in meeting immediate needs. Drawing from biblical, theological, and contemporary missional frameworks, the practicum invites students to re-examine common approaches to mission and to explore healthier, more faithful expressions of engagement within local contexts.

Students participate in ministry days with approved mission and ministry sites that model relational, asset-based, and community-centered approaches to mission. These experiences are designed to expose students to practices that honor dignity, foster belonging, and cultivate long-term transformation for both communities and congregations.

As part of the practicum, students reflect critically on their experiences and consider how existing congregational mission efforts might be adapted to better align with these principles. The practicum culminates in a one-day workshop that builds on the frameworks and practices introduced through Mission Lab, supporting integration, shared learning, and practical application.

Course objectives

  • Describe Christian mission as a relational, community-building practice grounded in the gospel.
  • Distinguish between charity-based approaches to mission and models that emphasize mutuality, dignity, and shared life.
  • Engage thoughtfully with local mission and ministry sites that model healthy community engagement.
  • Analyze congregational mission practices and identify opportunities for growth and adaptation.
  • Articulate theological and practical insights gained through direct participation in mission contexts.
  • Integrate learning from site visits, reflection, and the Mission Lab workshop into future ministry leadership.
  • Be able to demonstrate relational mission practices, debrief, and worship cycles with the guidance of a mentor for a period of one year.

Who may participate?

All church leaders unless a prerequisite or a particular offering states otherwise.