DESCRIPTION: This course explores how the gospel might be contextualized in postmodern culture through the renewal of personal spirituality and church life. and includes practical exploration of ways to facilitate this, grounded in the emerging culture as well as in the Bible and the wider Christian tradition. It takes account of current debates on creation-centered spirituality and the arts, and the impact of New Spirituality on the Christian community.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) understand the nature of contemporary Western culture; (2) gain familiarity with current debates about worship and evangelism; (3) explore creative ways of expressing and communicating faith; (4) learn a praxis-reflection way of doing theology.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course models culturally relevant ways of worship and evangelism while providing a safe environment in which students can work with their own personal issues.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet in four-hour sessions daily for two weeks, with the exception of Monday July 17 and Friday July 28. Classes will include plenaries, small groups, and experiential exploration of personal spirituality and creativity, using a variety of formats and a strong emphasis on learning by doing.

REQUIRED READING:

Detweiler, Craig, and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture. Baker, 2003.

Drane, John. Cultural Change and Biblical Faith. Paternoster, 2000.

_________. The McDonaldization of the Church. Smyth & Helwys, 2001.

Fleming Drane, Olive M. Clowns, Storytellers, Disciples. Augsburg, 2004.

_________. Spirituality to Go: Rituals and Reflections for Everyday Living. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2006.

Moynagh, Michael. Changing World, Changing Church. Kregel, 2001.

Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Orbis, 1991.

Drane, John. Do Christians Know How to be Spiritual? New Spirituality and the Mission of the Church. Darton, Longman & Todd 2005.

Hagberg, Janet, and Robert Guelich. The Critical Journey. Sheffield Publishing, 2004.

Munger, Robert Boyd. My Heart, Christ's Home. Rev. ed. InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Sample, Tex. The Spectacle of Worship in a Wired World. Abingdon, 1999.

1. Attendance at all classes for the entire time, and participation in experiential processes.

2. Written work, consisting of (a) a personal journal with an entry for each day of the class;
   (b) a piece of work in a medium chosen by the student and given advance approval in writing by the professors, deemed to be the equivalent to approximately twelve pages of written work. Each piece counts for 50% of the final course grade, and both pieces must be submitted to gain a grade.