MASTER OF DIVINITY I 7.

0
DEVELOPMENT PATH DOCUMENT
Welcome to the Kairos Project! By now you have likely heard about how you can customize
your journey through Kairos to fit your context and call. Below is an explanation of this
development path document (formerly called a curriculum document) and the process that you
and your mentor team will work through as you develop and demonstrate mastery of the
outcomes for your program outcomes.

Development Process Explanation: Regardless of your program or the outcome that you are
working through, the development process remains the same. It is meant to be an ongoing and
iterative process that helps you define, develop, and demonstrate mastery. It is important that
you and your mentor team get familiar with the process and incorporate it into the rhythm of
your work. These steps have been critical to the success of past mentor teams and students.

Program Outcome Sheets: In addition to the explanation of the development process are
single sheets for each of your degree program outcomes. These outcome sheets, or paths,
begin with the outcome title and a short description. The outcome itself appears in bold text.
Also outlined are some of the things that students typically experience and the areas related to
content, character, and craft often focused on while progressing toward the outcome.

DEVELOPMENT PATH RESOURCES

There are a number of helpful resources offered alongside the development path document to
assist you and your mentor team. Below are some of the key resources available to you.

Learning Experience Library: There are many learning experiences available to students
through the Kairos Network. Whether seeking traditional courses, self-paced modules,
suggested assignments for a particular outcome, or the standard path for a particular program
outcome, the Kairos Learning Experience Library provides a searchable online database to
showcase the offerings available to you. This library is housed on Pathwright and is accessible
to all students and mentors in the Kairos Network.
Resource Paths: Need some help? A number of resource paths are available to assist
students and mentors. These include library tutorials, how-to instruction, research tutorials, and
more. Resource Paths are also available on Pathwright.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

In conversation with your mentor team:

Define Mastery: Discuss what mastery of content (vocabulary, cognitive framework, and
historical understanding), character (humility, attitude, disposition toward the other), and craft
(skills and practices), looks like in your tradition, context, and vocation. Doing this will result in a
more robust understanding of the Master Assessment Process/Rubric.

Assess Prior Learning: Discuss your current level of competency. Take time to describe your
prior learning and experiences with a specific focus on how they relate to the competency
description outlined here.

Identify Growth: In light of the definitions of mastery and prior learning, identify areas in which
you need to develop further. This is an ongoing process that continues even after graduation, so
give attention to the fact that you and your mentor team may continue to have this conversation
over time.

Identify Resources: Determine the resources that are available to you and your mentor team
as you progress through this learning journey. Beyond things like books, libraries, podcasts, and
readily available sources of information, such resources can include people, learning
experiences, and opportunities to practice which encourage intentional reflection.

Develop a Path: Outline the various tools, learning experiences, projects, learning experiences,
etc. that you will use to make progress toward mastery. You may start with a path that is already
developed or may choose to work with your mentor team to adapt your learning journey, or
something in between.

Assess and Adjust: As you and the mentor team begin to understand each other, your context
and vocation, your areas of growth or prior learning, and the particularities of your journey, you
will naturally assess and adjust definitions of mastery, areas of needed growth, resources that
might be helpful, and the path that might be most helpful for you as a student. Embrace this
iterative nature of development as it is what encourages growth.

Conduct a Master Assessment: Begin by reviewing definitions of mastery developed by your

team and the Master Assessment Rubric. Then work through the Master Assessment Process
with your team using these instructions.
STARTING WELL

Description: As with most things in life, one key to success is starting well. This outcome is
designed with that in mind. As you get started in your journey through Kairos, you will know you
have completed this outcome when you and your Kairos advisor have determined that you…

Demonstrate a functional understanding of the Kairos

system and that you have explored available resources for
taking responsibility of your educational journey.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Be introduced to Kairos as a system and as a philosophy of education;

• Articulate your calling, explore your program outcomes, and begin thinking about what
mastery looks like in your vocational context;

• Discover what mentor teams are and how they work to support your journey in Kairos;

• Become familiar with the Pathwright learning management system and the resources
available to you in the Learning Experience Library;

• Gain access to other resources for your journey (student portal, library resources,
student handbook) and become familiar with the communications system;

• Become empowered to take the reins of your educational journey.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way Kairos works, where to access the information you need, and
who in the system can help you on your journey;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify the posture of a lifelong learner;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices to be responsible for your own
educational journey.
CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

Description: Understanding that God created you is an important first step. It is also important to know
yourself in relationship to the triune God and to the community. Christian spirituality is intended to foster
greater sensitivity to the presence of the triune God in the many dimensions of our individual,
community, and vocational lives. As you progress through your journey in Kairos, you will know you’ve
completed this outcome when you and your mentor team have determined that you are able to…

Articulate how your life in Christ exhibits the gifts and fruits of the
Holy Spirit as formed in your Christian community and devoted to
the glory of God the Father.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Reflect on and articulate your own spiritual journey;

• Discern what spiritual formation is and the kind of questions it asks;

• Be exposed to a number of spiritual disciplines;

• Discover what spiritual disciplines work best for you in your life and vocational context;

• Engage in spiritual direction for yourself;

• Explore spiritual mentoring practices relevant to personal/community/vocational life.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your context/tradition understands and describes faith formation and
Christian identity. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks that describe
spirituality in both an individual sense and for the broader Christian community;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify spiritual formation in your daily life based on
your context/tradition and the understanding of discipleship;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices determined by your context/tradition in the
formation of and participation in spiritual formation in your vocational context.
SKILLFUL BIBLICAL EXEGESIS

Description: The importance of reading Scripture well cannot be overstated for any Christian. No
matter what vocation you are called to, a solid understanding of the Bible and how to interpret it is
essential. As you progress through your journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this
outcome when you and your mentor team have determined that you…

Demonstrate skillful exegesis through in-depth biblical study and

awareness of methodological frameworks.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Be exposed to the stories, characters, contexts, and literature of both the Old and New
Testaments;

• Explore and cultivate best practices for reading the Bible;

• Discern the impact of your community of faith and your theological commitments on the way you
read and interpret the Bible;

• Reflect upon your own strengths and weaknesses in the task of interpreting the Bible and ways
in which other interpretations can inform and transform your Christian life;

• Identify ways the Bible can transform, as well as inform, your life as Christian;

• Discover ways to do Bible interpretation and to put the Bible into practice in your vocational
context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your context/tradition understands the content of the whole of
Scripture. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning confessional
traditions and intellectual processes that inform interpretation;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify this outcome based on your tradition’s/context’s
understanding of Scripture’s normative and formative impact on life and faith;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices of your interpretive work in your
vocational context.
CULTURAL EXEGESIS & GOSPEL PROCLAMATION

Description: Knowing how to do effective cultural exegesis in your vocational context is crucial for
empowering you for dynamic and culturally appropriate communication of the Gospel. No matter what
vocation you are called to, a solid understanding of the cultural context and how to read it will help you.
As you progress through your Kairos journey, you will know you have completed this outcome when you
and your mentor team have determined you are able to…

Demonstrate effective cultural exegesis and awareness of cultural

frameworks, empowering you for effective, faithful, dynamic, and
culturally appropriate communication of the Gospel.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:
• Discover basic foundations of the mission of the church;

• Reflect upon God’s heart for “the other;”

• Discern critical appreciation for those different from you;
• Discover basic principles of ethnohermeneutics (culturally appropriate hermeneutical methods);
• Explore how the principles of ethnohermeneutics might influence how you will both exegete the
text as well as exegete the cultural context;
• Discover basic principles of culturally appropriate communication;

• Distinguish the communication strategies that are appropriate for individuals both inside and
outside of your community of faith;
• Develop ways to communicate the Bible and theology in your vocational context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your context/tradition understands the impact of cultural context and
dynamics on Christian ministry. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks
concerning cultural anthropology, cultural exegesis, and communication strategies for different
cultural contexts;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify this outcome with an awareness of how your own
cultural background impacts and interacts with your neighbor;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices determined by your tradition/context in
communicating the Gospel to your audience in a culturally appropriate manner.
THEOLOGY AND WORSHIP

Description: As Christians we participate in a long tradition of thinking about the Christian faith in its
doctrinal expression, and all of reality in light of this faith. Theology is essential in the life of a Christian.
At the heart of all Christian theology is worship of the Triune God. As you progress through your
journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team
have determined that you…

Demonstrate a coherent Christian theological understanding and

awareness of theological frameworks, informing your life and
ministry, including corporate worship of the Triune God.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Explore a theological framework faithful to your confessional tradition;

• Discern and cultivate a coherent theology as understood by your tradition;

• Reflect on the relationship between theology and worship;

• Identify resources for theology and worship and how your tradition makes use of those
resources;

• Discern ways in which your theology impacts life as a Christian;

• Discover ways to put your theology into practice in your vocational context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your tradition understands Christian theology and worship as well as
how it approaches theological reflection. Often students discover new vocabulary and
frameworks concerning confessional traditions and intellectual processes that inform theological
reflection and development;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify the integration of theology and worship into your
life and practice of the Christian faith;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices of worship and theological reflection in
your vocational context.
CHRISTIAN TRADITION

Description: The study of history helps us understand where we came from and who we are. Christian
history, specifically, provides witness to how our ancestors in faith addressed topics contemporary to
their time and yet which are still relevant today. As you progress through your journey in Kairos, you will
know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team have determined that you …

Demonstrate appreciative and critical awareness of your own and

other Christian traditions as implemented in strategies for
ministry.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Explore the development of your ecclesial tradition;

• Identify how your tradition is situated in the history of Christianity;

• Identify and engage significant people, events, and resources important to your theological
tradition;

• Discover historical resources that help address the problems that face us now;

• Discern critical appreciation for those different from you;

• Discover specific ways your tradition impacts your vocational context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the historical development of the church’s faith and practice, particularly as it
relates to your tradition. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning
confessional traditions and intellectual processes that inform theological reflection and practice;

• Character related to how you incorporate the insights gained in this outcome to your life, faith,
and engagement with others;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices related to thinking historically and working
with groups involving theological difference in your vocational context.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS

Description: It is a truism to say that we live in a world of moral chaos. Over the course of history, and
certainly including our time, Christians have struggled with what it means to be ethical and to make
moral decisions. Given all the changes we are experiencing in the world today, what does it look like to
live as a Christian? As you progress through your journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed
this outcome when you and your mentor team have determined that you…

Articulate your understanding of Christian ethics and demonstrate

how it informs daily living and your philosophy of leadership.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:
• Be exposed to a variety of dynamics in our contemporary context that impact the shape of our
Christian lives;

• Explore the ways we are formed (and deformed) by our various contexts, communities,
language, and patterns of thinking about the world;

• Investigate the traditional forms of ethical reasoning and assess their primary strengths and
weaknesses;

• Identify the variety of resources available for Christian ethical reflection while exploring best
practices for utilizing these resources according to your theological tradition;

• Discern the implications of all the above on the practice of Christian leadership and the
engagement with issues of critical concern in your vocational context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your context/tradition understands Christian ethics. Often students
discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning ethics, ethical reasoning, and the way in
which Scripture impacts your understanding of ethics;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify this outcome based on your tradition/context and
the understanding of the way ethics impacts you and others in your daily living and vocational
context;

• Craft related to demonstrating the ways in which your daily life and your philosophy of leadership
are impacted by your understanding of Christian ethics as determined by your
tradition/context/vocation.
COLLABORATION AND CARE

Description: Care and leadership are essential for any vocational context. The foundations of human
care and collaborative leadership are important in both individual and group settings. As you progress
through your journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your
mentor team have determined that you are able to…

Demonstrate competent care and collaborative leadership

informed by integrative reflection, an understanding of human
and organizational systems, and emotional-relational intelligence.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:
• Identify significant elements of competent care, collaborative leadership, and organizational
systems;

• Explore ways to provide compassionate care;

• Discern appropriate leadership practices for specific vocational contexts;

• Reflect on ways to develop/grow/deepen self-awareness and emotional-relational intelligence;

• Discover appropriate listening and responding skills, an understanding of organizational

systems, and collaborative leadership principles with your vocational and cultural context, as
well as develop strategies to exercise these discoveries in your context.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to organizational systems, conflict resolution, human development and systems,
strategic direction, definitions of success in your faith tradition, context, and vocation. Often
students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning leadership and how those things
are evidenced in their context;

• Character related to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, collaborative postures of

leadership, and awareness of how your presence impacts those around you. Often students
encounter ways in which their theology and practice need to be brought into alignment;

• Craft related to demonstrating collaborative leadership and competent care in ways that are
relevant and helpful in your context and vocation. Often, students develop strategies for
participating in God’s mission that are needed in their context.
INTEGRATION IN COMMUNITY I

Description: Integrating the various components of content, character and craft into your vocational
context is crucial for effective ministry. As you learn to do so you will deepen it in yourself, encourage it
in others, and more faithfully witness to the reality of God’s Kingdom. As you progress through your
journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team
have determined that you are able to…

Demonstrate competence in the integration of content, character,

and craft specific to your vocational context.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Discover the concept of integration in regards to content, character and craft in relationship to
your vocational context;

• Identify areas in your life and vocation where there is a lack of integration;

• Discern ways more faithfully to integrate content, character, and craft in your vocational context;

• Develop skills that foster clear communication and empathetic listening among those who are
different from yourself;

• Reflect upon the integration of content, character, and craft in your vocational context through
case studies that you develop and present to others.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to how integration is understood in your tradition, context and vocation. Often
students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning contextual awareness and
competency, and encounter traditions and contexts other than their own;

• Character related to the markers of exemplary character in your context and vocation, humility
in your practice, your posture when engaging with the other, and valuing the ways in which you
can learn from and trust the other;

• Craft related to demonstrating the markers of competence in your context and vocation in such
a way that encourages trust among your peers and seeks to learn from those around you.
INTEGRATION IN COMMUNITY II

Description: Integrating the various components of content, character and craft into your vocational
context is crucial for effective ministry. As you learn to do so you will deepen it in yourself, encourage it
in others, and more faithfully witness to the reality of God’s Kingdom. As you progress through your
journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team
have determined that you are able to…

Demonstrate competence in the integration of content, character,

and craft specific to your vocational context.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Discover the concept of integration in regards to content, character and craft in relationship to
your vocational context;

• Identify areas in your life and vocation where there is a lack of integration;

• Discern ways more faithfully to integrate content, character, and craft in your vocational context;

• Develop skills that foster clear communication and empathetic listening among those who are
different from yourself;

• Reflect upon the integration of content, character, and craft in your vocational context through
case studies that you develop and present to others.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to how integration is understood in your tradition, context and vocation. Often
students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning contextual awareness and
competency, and encounter traditions and contexts other than their own;

• Character related to the markers of exemplary character in your context and vocation, humility
in your practice, your posture when engaging with the other, and valuing the ways in which you
can learn from and trust the other;

• Craft related to demonstrating the markers of competence in your context and vocation in such
a way that encourages trust among your peers and seeks to learn from those around you.
INTEGRATION IN COMMUNITY III

Description: Integrating the various components of content, character and craft into your vocational
context is crucial for effective ministry. As you learn to do so you will deepen it in yourself, encourage it
in others, and more faithfully witness to the reality of God’s Kingdom. As you progress through your
journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team
have determined that you are able to…

Demonstrate competence in the integration of content, character,

and craft specific to your vocational context.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Discover the concept of integration in regards to content, character and craft in relationship to
your vocational context;

• Identify areas in your life and vocation where there is a lack of integration;

• Discern ways more faithfully to integrate content, character, and craft in your vocational context;

• Develop skills that foster clear communication and empathetic listening among those who are
different from yourself;

• Reflect upon the integration of content, character, and craft in your vocational context through
case studies that you develop and present to others.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to how integration is understood in your tradition, context and vocation. Often
students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning contextual awareness and
competency, and encounter traditions and contexts other than their own;

• Character related to the markers of exemplary character in your context and vocation, humility
in your practice, your posture when engaging with the other, and valuing the ways in which you
can learn from and trust the other;

• Craft related to demonstrating the markers of competence in your context and vocation in such
a way that encourages trust among your peers and seeks to learn from those around you.
MENTORED LIFE

Description: Effectiveness in any vocational context is a learned skill. It is something we learn through
community and mentorship. These relationships shape us as individuals and in our vocational contexts;
and they provide us opportunity to both receive and provide insight, guidance, and support. As you
progress through your journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and
your mentor team have determined that you…

Articulate and engage your vocation in a mentored life, intentional

Christian community, and whole-life stewardship.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Identify significant people, movements, theories, and resources in the development and
theology of Christian faith-formation and discipleship;

• Explore the principles of mentor-based discipleship;

• Engage in the theory and practices of Christian hospitality;

• Discern faithful expressions of whole-life stewardship as well as financial stewardship;

• Reflect on one’s learning and teaching style.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to the way your context/tradition understands aspects of personality, faith-
formation and stewardship. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks
concerning confessional understandings of personhood and discipleship;

• Character related to faithfully stewarding your own life; and mentoring and being mentored for
faithful service in your vocation and faith community;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices related to mentoring and whole life
stewardship.
CONTINUING WELL

Description: The development and discovery you experienced during your educational journey
will continue. Taking time to reflect on the things you have learned and the growth and
challenges you have experienced will help you continue well on a path of lifelong learning and
discipleship in the future. You will know you have completed this outcome when you and your
mentor team have determined that you…

Close your Kairos journey by reflecting on your experiences

and preparing to continue well on a path of lifelong learning.

While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:

• Reflect on the ways that you were developed for participation in God’s Kingdom mission
by looking back on your Kairos journey and contemplating what God has in store next;

• Transition from a formal development process toward a journey of lifelong learning;

• Bring the time with your mentor team to a close and consider the people or resources in
your life and context that provide support for you in the future;

• Assess and shape the future of the Kairos Project through self-assessment in the
outcomes and by providing feedback and completing exit items.

Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…

• Content related to where God is calling you to engage in the future, how to identify the
need for new content, where to get it and how to learn and how to make Kairos a better
experience for those involved by sharing your feedback and suggestions;

• Character related to what it means to exemplify the posture of a lifelong learner;

• Craft related to demonstrating the skills and practices of a lifelong learner.