Matt Floding
(616) 392-8555 x134
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Matt Floding

Dean of Students and Director of Formation for Ministry

B.A. Bethel University

M.A. Wheaton College

M.Div. McCormick Theological Seminary

D.Min. Western Theological Seminary

"I am passionate about issues surrounding discipleship and faith maturity, calling and vocational discernment. That's why I am delighted to serve as Dean of Students and Director of Formation for Ministry at Western - these issues are taken very seriously. We are all challenged to grow in grace in community. Our commitment to provide significant student support in a number of areas is one evidence of this. For many students the other significant community, their Teaching Church, engages them at yet another level and further assists in discerning call and growing deeper in their ministerial identity for a faithful and fruitful ministry."

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Welcome to Theological Field Education! (Alban Institute, 2010)

    • FM101 Retreat for Christian Formation (J-Term)
        A spiritual retreat using autobiography, peer engagement, and the spiritual disciplines to assist students in clarifying and embracing God's call upon their lives. 2 credits
    • FM121 Entering Christian Ministry
        This course is the entry point in the formation for ministry process. It introduces the Teaching Church program and engages basic ministerial issues important to students faithfully and ethically participating in various ministry settings during their seminary experience. There are three components: the Teaching Church (a supervised ministry setting), a peer group commitment, and course assignments. Taken concurrently with CM103. 1 credit
    • FM122 Exploring Christian Ministry
        Continuing the journey in formation for ministry, students explore basic ministerial tasks centered in congregational life. (However, many of these are transferable to any ministry or social service agency.) Exploring aspects of ministry with the help of pastor(s) and lay leaders facilitates clarity around the student's call to ministry. Students learn and grow to appreciate these service elements of ministry that are often unseen but essential for effective Christian ministry. There are three components: the Teaching Church (a supervised ministry setting), a peer group commitment, and course assignments. 1 credit
    • CM524 Introduction to Campus Ministry
        Examines the issues confronting the chaplain or church-based campus ministry position including worship, faith development of 18-24 year olds, pastoral care challenges, engaging faculty, working with the administration, international student ministry, self-care, and proven models. 1.5 credits.
    • CM527 Ministry at the End of Life
        Provides a broad introduction to the privilege of ministry at the end of life. The class will consider practical issues such as the dying experience, pastoral care of the dying, partners in ministry, the funeral sermon and worship service, and bereavement ministry. Students will examine the theology and ethics surrounding the end-of-life and look at the social history of death in America. This course equips Christian caregivers with knowledge and skills for effective ministry to the dying and their loved ones. 1.5 credits
    • CM577 Rural Church Ministries
        Students sensing a call to serve in a rural ministry setting will explore the opportunity and challenge from a social systems perspective. 60% of RCA congregations are in town and country settings with populations of 50,000 or less. Students will consider rural church leadership in light of its spiritual, geographic, social, economic, demographic, and political contexts. This learning experience includes significant interaction with a rural RCA pastor, the Rural Church Network, and a field trip. Seven weeks; 1.5 credits.

Background

Matt Floding brings twenty years of ministry experience to his position at Western Seminary. He has served as a youth pastor, pastor, and - in the ten years prior to coming to Western - as chaplain at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

Dr. Floding has been active in the Reformed Church in America at the denominational, regional synod and classis level. Matt especially enjoys participating in the local church through teaching and preaching opportunities.

Professionally, Dr. Floding serves as chair of the national board of the Association of Theological Field Educators.

Each year Dr. Floding travels to Khartoum, the Sudan, to be a visiting teacher for the Khartoum Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church's Center for Biblical Studies, a training center for Christian pastors and workers.

Adult Education Courses

Dr. Floding is prepared to lead the following Adult Education courses at your church:
  • Life with God: Practicing the Art of Theological Reflection (2-4 sessions)
  • Four Things That Matter Most: An Ethic for Living (2-4 sessions)