Surveying the Inner Landscape: Self-Understanding, Supervision and Formation for Ministry

Authors

  • Lee Beach

Keywords:

Formation, Reflection, Ministry, Personhood

Abstract

 

This article argues that self-understanding is fundamental to ministry effectiveness. It examines barriers to self-knowledge – fear, perfectionism, cultural resistance, and time constraints – and identifies practices that cultivate it: intentional reflection, engagement with others, the arts, spiritual direction and counseling. It then describes how McMaster Divinity College's field education program structures these practices for student formation.

Published

2026-04-25