DESCRIPTION:

A congregation needs to understand its social and cultural context and its own character and identity in relationship to its surrounding community. Any urban environment can be described in terms of demographics, organizations, present-day activities, historical events, networks, economics, political structures, and how churches embody certain characteristics and engage their community. Research tools and resources will be explored and implemented by students in selected geographic settings.

Concepts: ecclesiology and missiology regarding church interface with the world, and theory concerning quantitative and qualitative research. Skills: quantitative and qualitative research in congregations and nearby communities and report development and use. Conation: commitment and habits accentuating church development and redevelopment, and congregational outreach to a community.

The class will meet weekly for 3 hours, for ten weeks. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, modeling, web demonstrations, and reflective discussions of materials and experiences. Students will also work individually and in groups outside of class.

Bakke, Ray. A Theology as Big as the City. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Dudley, Carl. Community Ministry. Washington, DC: Alban, 2001.

Jacobsen, Dennis. Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001

Class Reader.

Alinsky, Saul. Rules for Radicals. New York: Random House, 1971.

Dudley, Carl. Next Steps in Community Ministry. Washington, DC: Alban, 1996.

Kretzmann, John & McKnight, John. Building Communities from the Inside Out. Chicago: ACTA, 1993.

Myers, Bryant, ed. Working with the Poor. Monrovia, CA: MARC, 1999.

Sider, Ronald, et al. Churches that Make a Difference. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Watkins, Jane Magruder & Bernard Mohr. Appreciative Inquiry. Jossey-Bass, 2001.

Wood, Richard. Faith in Action. University of Chicago Press, 2002.

1. Attend and participate in class. (25%)

2. Read assignments as scheduled; read 200 additional (from "Recommended," Reader bibliography, or pre-approved); keep a reading log for submission. (25%)

3. Complete 30 hours of social research on congregations and neighborhoods, including demographics, community assets, and interviews. (25%)

4. Complete individual and group reports on research and analysis. (25%)

5. For students pursuing an A or A-, a 2000-word paper or curriculum on congregational mission.

Note: Students may apply for summer internships for follow-up learning and experiences.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Missions (MIN8) and the requirement in Globalization (GLBL) for M.A. degrees.