DESCRIPTION:

This course will serve as a practical guide for urban ministry among the poor and homeless that is both compassionate and thoroughly rooted in the gospel. Instruction will focus on understanding the biblical basis for urban ministry, identifying the poor in local communities, and starting and managing social ministries within local communities.

The church and the world are in need of people who are faithfully committed to demonstrate a biblical witness to troubled and needy communities. Students will be encouraged to discover a practical approach to, and a theological basis for, ministering to the poor. Students also will be personally challenged to engage in social ministries and give bold and specific suggestions about how that practical engagement should take place. Completion of the course should allow students to understand how compassionate social action can be combined with spiritual and economic means to alleviate the plight of the poor.

The class will meet once a week for a three-hour session. Each session will consist of lectures, discussion of readings, and a guest panel presentation followed by class member interaction with panelists.

Faulkner, Audrey. Diversity and Development in Community Practice. Haworth Press, 1994.

Wallis, Jim and Joyce Hollyday, eds. Clouds of Witnesses.. Orbis Books, 1990.

A collection of readings developed by the instructor (on reserve in the library).

1. Regular attendance and participation in discussions.

2. A 1 to 2 page reaction/reflection paper on the readings due each week.

3. A project paper on how to start and manage an urban ministry.

4. A minimum of 10 hours of on-site volunteer work at local urban ministries.

None.

Elective.

No.