DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history, doctrine, and worship. Subject matter will include: organization of the church at the local, district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels; sources of authority within those structures; how the church finds expression through its structures; privileges and responsibilities of the connectional system; ordination and the various forms of ministry; recent trends in legislation; how leaders are selected; how decision are made at all levels of church life; unique theological contributions; relationship to other communions.

See course description. This course is required for ordination in the United Methodist Church and helps students prepare for ordination examinations and for the local church pastorate.

This course meets once a week for three hours and consists of lectures, class discussion, and student presentations using case studies.

Frank, Thomas Edward. Polity, Practice, and Mission of the United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 1997.

Tuell, Jack M. The Organization of the United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 2002.

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. United Methodist Publishing House, 2000.

The United Methodist Book of Worship. United Methodist Publishing House, 1992.

The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church. United Methodist Publishing House, 2000.

The United Methodist Hymnal. United Methodist Publishing House, 1989.

Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.

__________. Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.

Assigned readings, class attendance and participation (20% of grade) , a 3-5 page case study presentation (25%), two 3 page reports (20%), and a 10-page final project (35%).

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN6).

None.