DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and practical matters in missional 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Greater commitment to participating in congregational life, worship, and mission; (2) Increased understanding of the tasks of pastoral leadership; (3) Increased understanding concerning the centrality of worship in congregational life and mission; (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: This class will meet for three-hour sessions, once weekly, for ten weeks. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers. Assignments will include readings, on-line postings, papers, and both group and individual activities to be done outside of class time.

REQUIRED READING:

Keifert, Patrick. We Are Here: A New Missional Era. Eagle, ID: ACI Publishing, 2006.

Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.

Walsh, Brian, and Sylvia Keesmaat. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. InterVarsity, 2004.

Willhauck, Susan, and Jacqulyn Thorpe. The Web of Women's Leadership: Recasting Congregational Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.

Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community Before the Watching World. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1994.

Course Reader.

1. Complete required reading and other assignments on time, attend all classes, and actively participate in class sessions and group assignments.

2. On-line postings: (a) weekly reading reflections (several paragraphs each; 25%); (b) two weekly responses to other group members' reading reflections (a few sentences each; 10%).

3. Leadership autobiography (900 words; 10%).

4. Read one book from the recommended reading list, write a review (900 words), and do a class presentation on the book (15%).

5. Team visits to a church and paper analyzing visit in light of class material (1000 words; 15%).

6. Final project focused on leadership and theological issues in the congregational context (2500-3000 words; 25%).

7. To pursue an A, (a) read and write a review of one additional book from the recommended reading list (900 words); (b) conduct a leadership interview with a pastor, and write an analysis of the interview (900 words + verbatim of interview).