DESCRIPTION:

This course aims to reconstruct the way in which new Christian communities were founded, nurtured and governed in urban centers throughout the ancient world. Consideration will be given to the place of cultural as well as theological factors in their formation as well as to the corporate activities and individual qualities or gifts that create community and develop leadership. The role of Paul, his colleagues and core members in these churches, as well as the way all members undertook pastoral, teaching, counseling and evangelistic, responsibility will be examined. We will also relate our findings to the situation of churches in the city today.

This course should provide students with:

1. an understanding of how the early Pauline churches functioned and multiplied in the first century urban setting;

2. the basic principles and structures upon which community is built and mutual ministry encouraged in the church;

3. a collegial, servant and relational model of leadership relevant to mission organizations and local churches.

Each week's session will contain lecture presentations, class panels, and small groups, as well as time for general discussion. The class will meet weekly on Mondays from 3:00-5:50 p.m. and for a workshop session on Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Banks, R. Paul's Idea of Community. Hendrickson, 1994.

Banks, R. and J. The Church Comes Home. Hendrickson, 1997. OR (if already read)

Barrett, Lois. Building the House Church. Herald, 1986.

Best, E. Paul and His Converts. T. & T. Clark, 1988.

Branick, V. The House Church in the Writings of Paul. Glazier, 1989.

1. Four 1-2 page assignments responding to questions to be investigated in the exegesis of the Scripture passages set for weekly reading..

2. A 10 page essay on some aspect of Paul's pastoral, missionary or theological approach to the first urban churches.

3. A 6-8 page proposal on how your church could move more fully towards a Pauline approach to church life and impact in the city.

NS501 or NS502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT); recommended course for M.A.C.L.

A simulation of an early church meeting.