DESCRIPTION: Students will study the extent, causes, complexities, and factors concerning homeless persons. Further, biblical, theological, and personal reflection will form our conversation as we explore options for congregations. This course will also serve as a practical guide for urban ministry among homeless persons that is compassionate and thoroughly rooted in the gospel. Instruction will focus on understanding the biblical basis for urban ministry, identifying the complex needs of homeless persons in local communities, and starting and managing social ministries within local communities.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The church and the world are in need of people who are faithfully committed to demonstrate a biblical witness to communities troubled by the persistence of homelessness. During the past twenty years in the United States, homelessness has increased instead of decreased in spite of the many efforts made by public and private agencies including local government and congregations. In addition, hundreds of thousands of households are at risk of becoming homeless. This class will closely examine past strategies and suggest new and revised strategies that will provide opportunities for communities and faithful leaders to reverse the surge of homelessness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will (1) Cognitive: a) gain a practical theological approach and biblical basis for ministry among the poor and marginalized with a focus on homelessness; b) learn how congregations can engage homelessness beyond providing emergency assistance; and c) learn how the media influences public perception of homelessness; (2) Skills: engage in planning and operations of social ministries and give bold and specific suggestions about how that practical engagement should take place; and (3) Affective: experience how compassionate social action can be combined with spiritual, social, and economic means to alleviate the plight of homeless persons.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for a three-hour session. Each session will consist of lectures, discussion of readings and ministry experiences, and a guest lecturer or panel presentation combined with class interaction.

REQUIRED READING:

Burt, Martha, Laudan Y. Aron, and Edgar Lee, with Jesse Valente. Helping America's Homeless. Urban Institute Press, 2001.

Cummings, Charles. Monastic Practices. Cistercian Publications, Inc., 1986.

Kretzmann, John P. and John L. McKnight. Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets. ACTA Publications, 1993.

Bryant L. Myers. Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, Orbis Books, 1999.

Strategies for Reducing Chronic Street Homelessness. Office of Policy Development and Research/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2004.

Course Reader.

1. Prepare for and participate regularly in class. (20% of grade)

2. A brief "Personal View of Homeless People" paper (500 words; non-graded).

3. A brief theological reflection paper (250-500 words) on the readings due each week (eight papers; 20% of grade).

4. A final paper following instructions given in class (minimum of 2,500 words; 50% of grade).

5. A minimum of 10 hours of on-site volunteer work at local homeless programs (10% of grade).