Winter 2015/Fuller Live!

Houston, Menlo Park, & Pasadena

IS502

Ramírez-Johnson

IS502: PRACTICE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY/ PRACTICA COMUNIDAD CRISTIANA (4 Units: 160 hours). Johnny Ramírez-Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: This is an integrative course that explores the identity and practices of Christian community as a people called, gathered, and sent by God. Together, professor and students study and enact historic Christian disciplines necessitated by this distinctive identity (e.g., hospitality, prayer, promise-keeping, Scripture reading, reconciliation, and testimony).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will reflect on their current and past experiences of Christian practices of community; (2) Students will demonstrate the capacity to engage Scripture, tradition, and other resources to reflect theologically on the historic practices of Christian community in particular contexts; (3) Students will demonstrate the capacity to embody specific practices of Christian community within their socio-historical context; (4) Students will articulate biblical and theological understanding of the community of God as a people called, gathered, and sent by God.

COURSE FORMAT:This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion (including 7.5 hours of participation in vocation and formation groups) plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 800 pp. of required reading.

Lohfink, Gerhard. La Iglesia que Jesus Quería. Desclée De Brouwer, 2004. ISBN: 978-8433006905, Precio $15.67 [100 paginas].

Padilla, C. René; Yamamori, Tetsunao. La iglesia local como agente de transformación: una eclesiología para la misión integral. Ediciones Kairos, 2003. ISBN: 987-9879403533, Precio $22.00 [100 paginas].

Perea, Stan, Editor. A Legacy of Fifty Years: The Life and Work of Justo González: Un legado de cincuenta años: la vida y obra de Justo González. Association for Hispanic Theological Education & Abingdon Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1426788673, Precio $9.99 (CORE PRACTICES: Hospitality/Inclusion) [40 paginas].

Pazmiño, Robert W. Principios y Prácticas de la Educación Cristiana. Wipf and Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-899224367, Precio $10.73 [180 paginas]. (CORE PRACTICES: Christian Education / Formation).

Padilla & Yamamori, see above (CORE PRACTICES: Discernment) [100 paginas].

Rolán, Thomas, Van Engen; Editores. (CORE PRACTICES: Discernment) [70 paginas].

Rolán, Alberto, F.; Thomas, Nancy; Van Engen, Carlos; Editores. La Iglesia latinoamericana: Su vida y su mission. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-9506831660, Precio $14.80 [144 paginas].

Covered by biblical reading, see below. (CORE PRACTICES: Honoring the Body/Healing).

Biblical Texts: Deuteronomy [10 pp.], Matthew [10 pp.] Acts [20 pp.], 1 Corinthians [10 pp.], 2 Corinthians [10 pp.], or Ephesians [6 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Read assigned 800 pp. and view posted videos as scheduled; complete report sheet (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 & #4] [72 hours].

2. A descriptive autobiographical essay (1,000-1,200 words) on experiences of Christian community, with specific attention to practices, including what the student believes about the roots and consequences of those practices (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [4 hours].

3. Eight short (250 words), regular written reflections on course readings, videos, and scripture in light of LOs in Moodle forums and limited substantive engagement with the posts of other students (125 words) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 & #4] [14 hours, including 10 hours of DLAs].

4. Participate weekly (8 out of 10 weeks) in the life of a congregation as a participant-observer; conduct two interviews with individuals/families to hear their stories; reflect on practices from an integrative perspective, participate in your small group discussions about your churches and their practices; write a summary paper on your research and reflections (2,200-2,500 words) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 & #3] [35 hours].

5. In a class small group, engage scripture reading and other practices (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3].

6. Create/Revise your response to the Central Integration Question ("At this point in your Christian journey, how do you envision your calling to God's mission in the world?"). By week 3 provide a 90-120 word statement. For a final paper, (a) revise the brief statement; (b) write a reflective essay that integrates your experiences, readings, lectures, and reflections on Christian community and how they changed your statement. Discuss and revise, if necessary based on feedback from your small group (1,000 words) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 & #4] [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Recommended in first year of study.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core integrative requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.