Spring 2013/Pasadena
TM521
Smith
TM521: CONGREGATIONS IN THE WORLD: NEIGHBORHOOD, WORKPLACE, AND SOCIETY.
Joshua R. Smith
DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on how the laity and clergy of a congregation might engage the world missionally. The vocation of a faith community being transformed by the gospel is to be a sign, witness, and foretaste to God’s coming reign in their local context. Biblical, theological, and leadership frameworks will be developed to support a missional approach to congregational life. Topics include neighborhood engagement and partnerships, community organizing, evangelism, church planting, vocational discernment, relating mission to spirituality, and maintaining a praxis orientation.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Conceptual work in theology, socio-cultural studies, and leadership as well as training in on-the-ground research will provide resources for a praxis-theory-praxis approach to churches engaging their contexts as witness to the gospel.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Cognitive: conceptual matters related to the praxis of a missional ecclesiology and changing perspectives on global mission; (2) Skills: abilities to do theological reflection on ecclesiology and missiology toward a praxis approach to transformational ministry and leadership development; neighborhood exegesis including demographic research; (3) Conation: vision for and commitment to forming congregations that engage their local setting and the world in transformational mission.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for 10 three-hour sessions. Class will include lectures, individual and group exercises, neighborhood research, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers.
REQUIRED READING:
Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830833016, Pub.price: $16.00 [192 pp.].
Roxburgh, Alan. Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood. Baker Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801072314, Pub.price $16.99 [196 pp.].
Stone, Bryan. Evangelism After Christendom. Brazos Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1587431944, Pub.price: $30.00 [336 pp.].
Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801091391, Pub.price: $16.99 [208].
Yamamori, Tetsunao, and C. René Padilla. The Local Church, Agent of Transformation. Ediciones Kairós, 2004. ISBN: 978-9879403679, Pub.price $18.00 [pp. not available].
Articles on Moodle.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Attend class, read textbooks and articles; maintain Student Report Sheet (20%).
Web interaction on readings prior to class (10%).
Brief reflective essays on readings, articles, and videos (10%).
Neighborhood research project that will include individual written reports and a group presentation (15%).
Write a book review on Escobar and Stone (15%).
Create a portfolio of all written work including book reviews, reflective writing, research, and a final paper that connects class readings/presentations with the work of a church/organization (30%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv Core requirement in General Ministry/Spirituality (MIN1) and in missions (MIN8) and MA globalization requirement (GLBL).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No; but class will meet during finals week, June 10.