Winter 2014/Pasadena

GM509

Garcia-Johnson

GM509: LAS BASES DEL MINISTERIO [Foundations for Ministry]. Oscar Garcia-Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to identify and develop the central themes related to the practice of ministry. As a course in Practical Theology, it will connect Christian spirituality with the work of leadership, including special attention to developing the character and skills a person needs for this vocation. Students will be exposed to various Christian spiritual traditions. The principal objective is to help the students refocus their calling and their relationship with God according to a mature perspective on ministry.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students already in ministry need to take time to reflect on their call, on their self-understanding and its relationship to effective ministry, and on spiritual formation as the foundation for ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: In this class students will (1) develop a deepened and renewed understanding of the nature of ministry to help them rediscover their personal dimension of ministry, vision, and motivation; (2) gain greater conceptual clarity concerning practical theology as a method that serves ministry praxis by observing and describing experiences; integrating various disciplines including classical theologies (biblical studies, philosophical theology, church history, etc.), socio-cultural resources, personal and communal spiritualities; and pursuing the work of shaping and evaluating ministry activities; (3) participate in a formational small group that seeks to actualize in their own experience the spiritual practices or disciplines that emerge from the course as well as reflect on the content of the course; (4) develop a deepened and renewed relationship with God as the foundation for their ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will weekly for three-hour sessions. The course will be developed through presentations by the professor and guest speakers, group activities in class, regular small group sessions, class discussions, personal interviews, and a spiritual retreat. The spiritual retreat has an additional cost of approximately $25.00.

REQUIRED READING:

Boyle, Gregory. Tatuajes en el Corazón: El poder de la compassion sin límite. Free Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1439160988, Price $16.99 [160 pp.].

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Vida en comunidad. Ediciones Sígueme, 1985. ISBN: 978-8430108930, Pub. Price $17.00 [118 pp.].

Conde-Frazier, Elizabeth. Escuchemos a los niños/Listen to the Children. Judson, 2011. ISBN: 978-0817016616, Pub. Price $13.99 [128 pp.].

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. Beber en su Propio Pozo. Sígueme, 1998. ISBN: 978-8430109425, Pub. Price $20.00 [189 pp.].

Martínez, Juan F. Caminando entre el Pueblo: Ministerio Latino en Los Estados Unidos. Abingdon, 2008. ISBNL 978-0687492763, Pub. Price $18.00 [144 pp.].

Segura, Harold. Más allá de la Utopía: Liderazgo de Servicio y Espiritualidad Cristiana. Kairos, 2005. ISBN: 987-9879403800, Pub. Price $10.00 [244 pp.].

Course reader, including readings on theology of ministry and ministry from a woman’s perspective. About 100 pp.

RECOMMENDED READING

Driver, Juan. Convivencia radical espiritualidad para el siglo 21. Kairós, 2007. ISBN: 978-9871355051, Pub. Price $13.50.

Foster, Richard. Alabanza a la disciplina. Betania, 1986. ISBN: 978-1597523523, Pub. Price $24.00.

McDonald, Gordon. Ponga orden su mundo interior. Editorial Caribe, n.d. ISBN: 978-0881132465 ,Pub. Price $8.99.

Nouwen, Henri. In the Name of Jesus: Reflection on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1998. ISBN: 978-0824512590, Pub. Price $15.00.

————. La Compasión en la Vida Cotidiana. Lumen, 1996. ISBN: 978-9507245473, Pub. Price $20.00.

Willard, Dallas. Renueva tu Corazón: Sé como Cristo. Clie, 2004. ISBN: 978-8482674162, Pub. Price $15.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Regular attendance and participation in small groups throughout the course [15%].

  2. Reflection paper for the first class: The Meaning of my Call to Ministry (2-3 pages) [5%].

  3. Eight personal reaction papers to readings in the bibliography (1-2 pages each) [40%].

  4. Practical theology case: personal response to a ministry/life situation where theological competence, spiritual discernment, and the praxis of servant leadership is exercised (5-6 pages) [20%].

  5. Participation in the spiritual retreat and reflection on the experience (3-5 pages) [20%].

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in General Ministry & Spirituality (MIN 1) and the Foundational Spirituality (FSP or SPIR) requirement for MA degrees requiring it.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.