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 three-hour sessions 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 in Highland Park.

Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, & Conversations. Herndon, VA: Alban, 2004.

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

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

Jacobsen, Eric. Sidewalks in the Kingdom. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2003.

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

Course Reader.

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

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

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

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

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

1. Attend and participate in class (20%).

2. Read assignments as scheduled; keep a reading log for submission (20%).

3. Complete 30 hours of social research in Highland Park on Faith Presbyterian Church and its neighborhood, including demographics, churches, community networks, and congregational interviews (30%).

4. Complete individual and group reports on research and analysis (30%).

5. For students pursuing an A or A-, read an additional recommended book and write a 500-word Adler-style review; write a 2000-word paper or curriculum on congregational mission.

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

Meets MDiv core requirement in Mission (MIN8) and Globalization (GLBL) for MA degrees.