Spring 2020/Fuller Online

IS500

Glenn

IS500: PRACTICES OF VOCATIONAL FORMATION (4 Units: 160 hours). Mary Glenn.

DESCRIPTION: Christian practices constitute the Christian life. The combined Christian practices of vocational formation, worship, community, and mission facilitate the integration of personal, spiritual, academic, and global formation into the vocational coherence of a Christian leader through reflection, relationships, and practices. IS500 teaches students a method for integrating resources of theological method into faithful responses to the human condition. As an integrative course, it explores the identity and practices of Christian vocational formation as a people called, gathered, and sent by God. Together, professor and students study and enact historic Christian disciplines necessitated by this distinctive identity (listening, discernment, guidance, lament, rhythms of rest, and stewardship) fashioning them into a Rule of Life that shapes and supports the student’s vocation in order to form students who demonstrate capacities to cultivate a theologically reflective practice of Christian discipleship.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will have demonstrated capacities to critically reflect on their current and past experiences of Christian practices of vocational formation. (2) Students will have demonstrated through participation in local contexts the capacity to engage in activities and exercises related to Christian spiritual disciplines and practices of vocational formation. (3) Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage scripture, tradition, and contemporary resources to reflect theologically on historic and personal practices of vocational formation. (4) Students will have articulated how vocational practices impact their response to the Central Integration Question (CIQ) and will identify exercises, habits, and disciplines to embody these practices within their sociocultural context.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to one or more strategies for integrating theological and missiological content with life experience and context through engaging a variety of spiritual practices around vocational formation, which is consistent with the SOT/SIS PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities to cultivate a theologically reflective practice of Christian discipleship.” (MDiv, MAT, MATM, MAICS). The emphases on integration and vocational formation this course provide introduction to the MAICS learning outcome related to critical thinking and integration and the learning outcome related to vocation (MAICS). This course may also contribute to various learning outcomes in the MAGL related to integrating theology and praxis in ministry and mission, and related to spiritual formation (MAGL).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 850 pp. of required reading and/or the equivalent time in viewing, including:

1. Core Texts

Placher, William C. Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802829276, Pub. Price $32.00 [150 pp. assigned].

Reyes, Patrick B. Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood. Chalice Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0827225312, Pub. Price $ 19.99 [100 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller library.

Tutu, Desmond.God Has a Dream. Image, 2005. ISBN: 978-0385483711, Pub. Price $14.00 [100 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Biblical texts assigned [50 pp.]

Choose one:

Funk, Mary Margaret. Thoughts Matter. Liturgical Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0814635254, Pub. Price $19.95 [100 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library.

Garber, Steven. Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good. IVP, 2014. ISBN: 978-0830836666, Pub. Price $17.00 [100 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library.

2. Integration Resources (Links available on Canvas course page)

Tiersma Watson, Jude. “Learning the Unforced Rhythms of Grace: Creating a Rule of Life in a 24/7 World” FullerYouthInstitute.org [3 pp.].

Barton, Ruth Haley. “Rule of Life” in Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP Books, 2006. 110-129 [19 pp.].

Branson, Mark Lau and Juan Martinez. “Practical Theology and Multicultural Initiatives” in Churches, Cultures & Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities. IVP Academic, 2011, pp. 33-58 [25 pp.].

Branson, Mark Lau and Juan Martinez. “Sociocultural Structures, Ethnicity and Churches” in Churches, Cultures & Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities. IVP Academic, 2011, pp 78-94 [16 pp.].

Choose one (100 pages):

Bill, J. Brent.Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment. Paraclete Press 2012. ISBN: 978-1612612508, Pub. Price $15.99. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Brown, Amena. Breaking Old Rhythms: Answering the Call of a Creative God. IV Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830843015, Pub. Price $15.00. Available as e-book in the Fuller library.

Heuertz, Phileena. Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life. InterVarsity Press 2010. ISBN: 978-0830836154, Pub. Price $16.00. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Jeung, Russell. At Home In Exile: Finding Jesus Among My Ancestors and Refugee Neighbors. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016. ISBN: 978-0310527831, Pub. Price $17.99. Available in print formatin the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Newell, J. Philip.Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality. Paulist Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0809137596, Pub. Price $11.95. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Parker, Palmer.Let Your Life Speak. Jossey-Bass, 1999. ISBN: 978-0787947354, Pub. Price $18.95. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library.

Thurman, Howard.Disciplines of the Spirit. Friends United Press, 1963. ISBN: 978-0913408353, Pub Price $13.00. Available in print format in the Fuller Library and on Amazon.

Woodley, Randy. Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision. Eerdmans, 2012. ISBN: 978-0802866783, Pub. Price $25.00. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

3. Core Practices (Links available on Canvas course page)

Articles, chapters, videos, audios and websites (to be posted weekly), that engage the following

required IS500 practices (Listening, Discernment, Guidance, Lament, Rhythms of Rest, Stewardship):

Listening:

Barton, Ruth Haley. “Scripture: Encountering God Through Lectio Divina” in Sacred Rhythms:

Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP Books, 2006. 45-61. [16 pp.]

Calhoun, Adele A. “Listening Prayer.” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition, 266-268. IVP Books, 2015. [3 pp.]

Peterson, Eugene H. “Lectio divina” in Eat this Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. Eerdmans, 2009. 79-118. [39 pp.] (available on eReserves)

Reese, Randy and Robert Loane. “A Storied Way: What We Learn from Editing Our Lives” in Deep Mentoring. IVP, 2012. 49-74 [25 pp.] (available on eReserves)

Discernment:

Barton, Ruth Haley. “Discernment: Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God” in Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP Books, 2006, pp.110-129 [19 pp.]

Calhoun, Adele A. 2015. “Discernment” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition. IVP Books, pp. 109-113 [5 pp.]

Guidance:

Calhoun, Adele A. “Spiritual Direction” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition, 109-113. IVP Books, 2015 [5 pp.]

See above: Funk, Mary Margaret. Thoughts Matter OR Garber, Steven. Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good.

Lament:

Brueggemann, Walter. “Letting Experience Touch the Psalter” in Praying the Psalms.Saint Mary’s Press, 1986, pp. 15-25 [10 pp.]

Calhoun, Adele A. 2015. “Prayer of Lament” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition. IVP Books, pp. 272-274 [3 pp.]

Rhythms of Rest:

Barton, Ruth Haley. “Sabbath: Establishing Rhythms of Work and Rest” in Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP Books, 2006, 130-145 [15 pp.]

Calhoun, Adele A. 2015. “Rest” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition. IVP Books, pp. 74-76 [3 pp.]

Calhoun, Adele A. 2015. “Unplugging” in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Revised edition. IVP Books, pp. 95-98 [4 pp.]

Stewardship:

Brueggemann, Walter. “The Liturgy of Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity." Christian Century 116, no.10 (1999): 342-47 [5 pp.]

Volf, Miroslav. “God the Giver" in Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace, 19-54. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006. [35 pp.] (available on eReserves)

4. StrengthsFinders

Students in IS500 are required to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment, and participate in a 45-minute

coaching call with a StrengthsBased coach. There will be a $40 charge for CliftonStrengths®

Assessment, Coaching Packet, and Coaching Session which will automatically be charged to your

student account.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

850 pages reading (equivalent time viewing videos) including at least 50 pages of biblical text and video lectures [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [60 hours].
Online Discussion and Vocation Formation Group (VFG) Participation: Students will participate in active learning to foster understanding of and capacity for engaging in theologically-informed reflection in the online classroom and through participation in Vocation Formation Groups. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3 and #4]. [20 hours].
Directed Exercises, Disciplines and Fieldwork: Student will participate over the quarter in disciplines and exercises outside of the classroom related to the core practices of the course. These exercises will include (but not limited to) CliftonStrengths Assessment & StrengthsBased coaching call and the creation of a financial autobiography and plan that supports vocational goals (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [20 hours].
DLA (Directed Learning Activity): Students will research and write about one historical figure, reflecting on their vocation and formation practices. (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3]. [4 hours].
Integrative Reflections: Students will engage in critical theological reflection on contextualized experiences using a practical theology or similar method. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [20 hours].
Autobiography: Students will create a vocational autobiography related to practices of vocational formation (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2 and 3]. [16 hours]
Final Integrative Assignment: Integration paper that reflects theologically on the practices of this course and their implications for the student’s response to the CIQ and the exercises, habits, and disciplines in their current Rule of Life. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #3, and #4]. [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Recommended in first year of study.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core integration requirement in the 120 MDiv and the 80 MAT, 80 MATM, 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.