Qualified Supervisor Requirements

Field supervisors have a unique role in the supervised practice of ministry process. Supervisors are seen as mentors in ministry, able to provide experience and insight honed by years in the ministry, helping to shape and develop a junior colleague exploring their vocational call into ministry.

A qualified supervisor will meet the following requirements:

  • At least three years of prior ministry experience
  • Currently serving in active ministry role
  • A completed MDiv degree or equivalent education for your role
  • Available on-site or extremely familiar with the student’s ministry site

Supervisor Expectations

The following basic functions are expected of the field supervisor, often in conjunction with the selected guidance committee:

  • Getting started
    • Personal/professional needs are being met such as office space, sufficient balance of work and personal time, details for ensuring timely payment of stipends, etc.
    • Acquainting the student with the congregation/institution including local traditions, role expectations, etc.
  • Support
    • Students will need spiritual, emotional, and collegial support as they grown and learn through conversation, guidance, and prayer
    • Preparing helpful, constructive observations, reflection, feedback, and evaluation.
    • Listening deeply to the student and members of the congregation/institution in order to discern, interpret, and communicate needs or concerns
  • Observation
    • Look for areas of thriving and struggling in the student’s ministry through observation in various ministry experiences
  • Reflection
    • Offering opportunities to reflect not only on appropriateness of actions taken in practicing ministry, but also the theological values behind actions and plans and how God is present in experiences
  • Feedback
    • Feedback should be descriptive but not interpretive.
    • Feedback should be focused on things that the student has the capacity to make changes on.
    • Feedback should be given in a spirit of loving concern to be helpful.
    • Feedback should be timely and specific.
  • Regular meetings
    • It is a minimum requirement that all SPM students meet with their supervisor every other week during their experience; approximately 6 meetings in the fall or spring, and approximately 4 meetings in the summer term.
  • Assessment
    • Share with the student perceptions of their progress in ministry, especially those selected for particular focus during the SPM experience.
    • A formal evaluation will be completed and shared with the student at the end of the SPM experience.

Resources and Support

As a valued member of the supervised practice of ministry team, it is important that supervisors feel adequately equipped for role.

Each site supervisor will be sent a copy of the text, Empower: A Guide for Supervisor-Mentors in Theological Education (Senior & Floding, 2020). This text will help shape the relationship between student and supervisor, encouraging appropriate and essential mentorship identities for specific contexts.


Last modified: Friday, May 24, 2024, 11:29 AM