COURSE 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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have
demonstrated (1) the ability to be conversant about the forms of ministry and
structure of the United Methodist Church, (2) an appreciation of the
connectional nature of the United Methodist Church, (3) the development of a
theological base for dealing with issues that arise in parish ministry,
(4) increased skills in pastoral ministry including leading basic worship
services, weddings, and funerals, (5) a knowledge of ordination requirements
and skills at presenting themselves to ordination boards.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course is required for ordination in the United
Methodist Church and helps students prepare for ordination examinations and for
the local church pastorate.
COURSE FORMAT: This course meets once a week for a three-hour session and
consists of lectures, class discussion, and student presentations using case
studies.
REQUIRED READING: