DESCRIPTION:

This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and practical matters in ecclesiology. The work of lay and clergy leadership is explored in relationship to congregation formation, spiritual formation, and mission formation. All participants in a church are to be formed into an "interpretive community" that is engaged with God personally and corporately in spiritual formation and in missional outreach.

Concepts: theological studies in ecclesiology and organizational development theory on leadership. Skills: theological reflection and small group interpretive skills relevant to congregational life & leadership. Conation: commitment and habits fronting church development and redevelopment.

The class will meet for two hours, twice weekly, for ten weeks. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers.

Brownson, James et al. Stormfront: The Good News of God. Eerdmans, 2003.

Dietterich, Inagrace. Cultivating Missional Communities. Chicago: The Center for Parish Development, 1995.

Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.

Ogden, Greg. Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God. Zondervan, 2003.
(If student has previously read Ogden, then read
Stevens, R. Paul & Phil Collins. The Equipping Pastor. The Alban Institute, 1993.)

Roxburgh, Alan. Crossing the Bridge. Percept, 2000.

Class Reader including Ray Anderson, James Evans, Stanley Hauerwas, David Ng, Elizabeth O'Connor, Manuel Ortiz, Eugene Peterson.

Anderson, Ray. Ministry on the Fireline. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Banks, Robert. Paul's Idea of Community (Rev. ed.). Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994.

Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996

Dawn, Marva. Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

Guder, Darrell, ed. The Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989

Hauerwas, Stanley and William Willimon, Resident Aliens. Nashville: Abingdon, 1989.

Van Gelder, Craig. The Essence of the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community Before the Watching World. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1994.

(1) Attend class, maintain Student Report Sheet (25%). (2) Read texts and assigned articles on time (25%). (3) Complete a one-page form on all articles (5%). (4) Write a 500-600 word book critique on each of the five main textbooks (20%). (5) Write a 2500-3000 word term paper the integrates issues of ecclesiology, context, and leadership (25%). (6) To pursue an A, complete an Adler-style overview of 4 other recommended books; read Colossians and write a 1500-2000 word paper in reference to the course and your term paper.

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