DESCRIPTION: This course begins with a research finding. Most pastors are not equipped to talk theologically about the issues that are most important to lay people. The purpose of this course is to teach students how to empower the People of God to make theological sense of the issues that they encounter in their daily lives. For example, the course will deal with issues like time, money, sickness and pain, secrets, family life, and conflict. The emphasis will be on the formative responsibilities of Christian leaders to prepare God's people for faithful action.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course provides clear and specific opportunities for students to bring their seminary education to bear on their aspirations for ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are two major objectives for the course: First, students will learn to exegete the lives of God's people and to use Scripture to think theologically about the lives of the people entrusted to their care. Second, students will learn how to create learning environments that prepare God's people for faithful action in the world.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for a three-hour session. Each week will focus on a particular topic. Students will read a series of case studies that deal with that topic. They will also be given a set of exegetical and theological materials designed to help them understand the issues in the case. These materials might include a theological word study, two or three biblical passages (with a couple of commentaries discussing each passage), and perhaps a theological or historical reading or two. In the first weeks of the quarter, students will get this material packaged for them. But as the quarter progresses, students will be asked to do more of the research and selection for themselves. A significant part of the course will focus on a method for doing practical theology that allows the student to weave these diverse sources into a shared story of future hope.

Each week students will write theological responses to the issues in the cases. A key part of the learning comes from these weekly papers, which they will turn in via email the day before class meets. The professor will covenant with the students to have the papers graded with individualized comments by the time the class meets. These comments ensure that each student receives weekly individual attention and feedback from the professor.

Each week students will also meet in a small group setting with fellow students. The purpose of these groups is to provide a context not only for study but for other spiritual disciplines such as prayer and reflective discernment.