Fall 2005/Pasadena
PM514
Branson
PM514: FORMING THE PEOPLE OF GOD: CONGREGATIONAL PRAXIS. Mark Lau Branson.
DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and
practical matters in ecclesiology and leadership. 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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Increased understanding concerning
the centrality of worship in congregational life and mission; (2) Greater
commitment to participating in congregational life, worship, and mission; (3)
Increased understanding of the tasks of pastoral leadership; (4) Increased
skills related to the work of a pastor; (5) Increased clarity concerning one's
own gifts and calling in relationship to pastoral ministry.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: 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.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for two-hour sessions twice weekly, and
will include lectures, individual & group exercises, reflective discussions
of materials & experiences, and guest speakers.
REQUIRED READING:
- Budde, Michael. The (Magic) Kingdom of God. Boulder, CO:
Westview, 1997.
- Dietterich, I. Cultivating Missional Communities. Chicago: 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 (not in
bookstore; web pdf will be supplied).
- Class Reader including James Brownson, James Evans, Stanley Hauerwas, David
Ng, Elizabeth O'Connor, Manuel Ortiz, Eugene Peterson.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Anderson, Ray. Ministry on the Fireline. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1993.
- Banks, Robert. Paul's Idea of Community. Rev. ed. Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson, 1994.
- Brownson, James, et al. Stormfront: The Good News of God. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
- Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
1996
- Guder, Darrell, ed. The Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1989
- Hauerwas, Stanley and William Willimon, Resident Aliens. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1989.
- Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian
Community Before the Watching World. Nashville: Discipleship Resources,
1994.
ASSIGNMENTS: (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 and books (5%). (4) Write a 500-600 word Adler-style book critique on
Budde and Lohfink (10%). (5) Team visits to a church; write 1000-word paper
reflecting on "gospel" and "church" as experienced in comparison with class
(10%). (6) Write a 2500-3000 word term paper that integrates issues of
ecclesiology, context, and leadership (25%). (7) To pursue an A, complete an
Adler-style overview of 3 other recommended books; read Colossians and write a
1500-2000 word paper in reference to the course and your term paper.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry
& Theology (MIN 6) or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for
other master's degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.