TFE Student Resources

Purpose of TFE
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary exists to shape leaders who expand God's kingdom around the world. The purpose of Theological Field Education is to provide a structure and a process for shaping Christian leaders through a leadership ministry practicum that is based upon "360-degree feedback". Our desire is that every student will have the core competencies needed for ministry and that those already competent in ministry will further develop his/her skills. We help students enhance their personal and professional growth within a framework of "safe" ministry settings. Students design a customized learning plan that leads to a higher level of competency, whatever the ministry they feel called to do.

Scope of TFE
Every accredited seminary is required to have a field education program, with students doing ministry under the oversight of field supervisors/mentors. One of the primary reasons Golden Gate Seminary is internationally recognized as both a pioneer and pacesetter in Theological Field Education (TFE) is the emphasis we put on: (1) ministry field settings that allow our students to serve in significant ministries that match who they are and what they want/need to learn, and (2) quality ministry field mentors who are trained and experienced in principles of supervision.

Structure of TFE
TFE at GGBTS is structured for students to create a relevant ministry proposal and personalized covenant of learning for their leadership ministry practicum. In essence, they create their own graduate-level course for integrating leadership character qualities and ministry skills in a service context of their choice. This customizing approach includes their finding a match in a ministry field setting that offers the kind of professional skills they'd like to learn; a ministry field mentor who can help them learn those skills, and a spiritual formation mentor who can help them develop spiritually. We encourage students to ask themselves, "How can the Lord work in me and through me, using what I have been learning?" as they design and write their initial ministry proposal.

Student Resources:

• TFE Report System
• Student Report Instructions
• TFE Basics
• Covenants
• Theological Reflection
• Requirements & Tracking Charts

Student Forms:

• Initial Core Competencies - MDiv (default; for other degrees not listed)
• Initial Core Competencies - MAEL
• Initial Core Competencies - Church Planter
• MRG Member Data
• Final Core Competencies - MDiv (default; for other degrees not listed)
• Final Core Competencies - MAEL
• Final Core Competencies - Church Planter
• Evaluation Conference Participants
• Student Evaluation of Field Mentor
• Core Competencies Instructions