DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history and doctrine. Subject matter will include: organization of the church at the local, district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels; sources of authority within those structures; how the church finds expression through its structures; privileges and responsibilities of the connectional system; ordination and the various forms of ministry; recent trends in legislation; how leaders are selected; how decisions are made at all levels of church life; unique theological contribution; relationship to other communions.

See course description. This course is required by the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry for ordination, and prepares the participant for ordination examinations and for the local church pastorate.

The class will consist of lectures, class discussion, and reporting on research. Class meetings will be held for the first five weeks of the quarter, twice weekly Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00-5:50 p.m. March 30-May 1.

The Book of Discipline. United Methodist Publishing House, 1992.

Easum, William. How to Reach the Baby Boomers. Abingdon Press, 1991.

Tuell, Jack. The Organization of the United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 1993.

Easum, William M. The Church Growth Handbook. Abingdon Press, 1990.

The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church. United Methodist Publishing House, 1996.

The United Methodist Book of Worship. United Methodist Publishing House, 1996.

The United Methodist Hymnal. United Methodist Publishing House, 1989.

Regular reading from the textbook and Book of Discipline; papers as assigned and a required final project.

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN6). Satisfies requirement of United Methodist Annual Conference for admission and ordination.

None.