Winter 2007/Pasadena
CF560
Gorman

CF560: ADULT FORMATION AND DISCIPLESHIP. Julie Gorman.


DESCRIPTION: How is the church to take seriously its task of "equipping the saints for the work of ministry" (Eph. 4:11-12)? How can adults be adequately established, rooted, built up, and equipped for the varying ministries to which God is calling them? A strong, well-developed adult ministry in the local church can be a major tool for building healthy, effective Christians and spiritually vital congregations. This course is designed to "equip the equippers" to produce such through a study of philosophy, practice, and skills in adult education. Subject areas include biblical and theological foundations for adult education; adult characteristics, needs, life cycles, and learning patterns; societal and cultural impact on learning; learning theories; gender strengths; developing or adapting curriculum; planning and implementing an adult spirituality and discipleship ministry in the church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitively: The learner will become conscious of the role of adults in God's plan, the impact of adult development, and principles for how adults learn, with implementation guidelines. Affectively: The learner will develop appreciation for adults' participation in their growth and will become enthused about cultivating such. Behaviorally: Learners will participate in discovering their own images of adulthood and will actively construct new paradigms incorporating learning experiences from class. Existentially: The learner will become a person who recognizes his/her responsibility as an adult in God's kingdom and will cultivate continued integration and implementation of concepts taught in class in the scope of his/her ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course helps those who minister to adults understand how adults learn, teaches skills to enable adults to move on in spiritual maturity, and equips with philosophy and means for planning and carrying out the ministry to and by adults in the church.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions. Methods of instruction will include lecture, interaction, small groups, video viewing, surveying, gaming, and skills work in class.

REQUIRED READING:

Balswick, Jack O., Pamela Ebstyne King, and K. S. Reimer. The Reciprocating Self. InterVarsity, 2005.

Gorman, Julie. Expanded Course Syllabus. Fuller Seminary, 2006.

Hagberg, J. & R. Guelich. The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith. Sheffield, 1995.

Kimball, Dan. The Emerging Church. Zondervan, 2003. OR George & Krajewski. Herding Cats (below).

Loder, James E. The Logic of the Spirit. Jossey-Bass, 1998.

Parks, Sharon Daloz. Big Questions. Worthy Dreams. Jossey-Bass, 2000.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Belenky, Mary Field, et al. Women's Ways of Knowing. Basic Books, 1986.

Daloz, Laurent A. Mentor. 2nd ed. Jossey-Bass, 1999.

Fowler, James. Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian. Harper & Row, 1984.

Gangel, K. O. & J. C. Wilhout. The Christian Educator's Handbook on Adult Education. Victor, 1993.

George, R. & J. Krajewski. Herding Cats: Teaching Leading in a Postmodern World. College Press, 2001.

Long, J. Emerging Hope: A Strategy for Reaching the Postmodern Generations. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Merriam, Sharan B. & Rosemary S. Caffarella. Learning in Adulthood. 3rd ed. Jossey-Bass, 2006.

Sheehy, Gail. New Passages. Random House, 1995.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Compiling insights into one's own adult development. (2) Response to postmodern influence on adulthood and results in churches. (3) Personal reflection on one's own Christian formation and discipleship journey. (4) Group classroom presentation of an adult learning theory by demonstration. (5) Creation of a personal and ministry response to adult faith and learning concepts.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.