DESCRIPTION: Students will study the extent, causes, complexities, and factors concerning homeless persons. This course will also serve as a practical guide for service among homeless persons that is compassionate and thoroughly rooted in the gospel. Instruction will focus on understanding the biblical basis for community service, identifying the complex needs of homeless persons in local communities, and starting and managing social services within local communities. Spiritual practices such as theological reflection, lectio divina, and incarnational solidarity will inform our lectures and discussions as we explore options for individual and congregational involvement.

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 thirty 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 governmental, nonprofit, and faith-based 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 on-site experiences when applicable. A guest lecturer or panel presentation combined with class interaction will be scheduled for part of several classes.

REQUIRED READING:

Burt, Martha, Laudan Y. Aron, and Edgar Lee, with Jesse Valente. Helping America's Homeless. Urban Institute Press, 2001. 363 pages. ISBN: 0-87766-701-2. Pub. Price: $29.50.

Cummings, Charles. Monastic Practices. Cistercian Publications, Inc., 1986. 217 pages. ISBN: 978-0-87907-975-8. Pub. Price: $19.95.

Bryant L. Myers. Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development. Orbis Books, 1999. 288 pages. ISBN: 9781570752759. Pub. Price: $26.00.

Course Reader.

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

2. Three four-to-five page papers (minimum 1,000 words) following instructions given in class and due the fourth, seventh, and tenth week of class (60% of grade).

3. Three on-site volunteer experiences at local homeless programs that will be integrated into the three class papers noted above (included in grade for #2).

4. Four one-to-two page integration papers (250-500 words) following instructions given in class and due the second, third, fifth, and eighth week of class (20% of grade).