DESCRIPTION:

This course serves as a broad introduction to the Church and churches in historical and contemporary contexts. Students will explore a broad variety of ecclesiological formations, exploring the nature of churches, their liturgies, communal life, and their mission in the world. In this course, students will begin to compare and contrast the historical and contemporary church with their own particular tradition.

1. examine the global church through the study of local churches in their particular historical and cultural contexts;

2. cite their own relationship to churches outside their ecclesiastical tradition, examining their own assumptions in the process;

3. develop an understanding of the nature and mission of the Church and churches, both theologically and sociologically.

Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves input from the professor, readings, and various forms of media. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling, threaded discussions, and research.

Gibbs, Eddie, and Ryan K. Bolger. Emerging Churches. Baker Books, 2005. 352 pp. ISBN: 0801027152, $19.99.

Hanciles, Jehu. Beyond Christendom. Orbis, 2008. 430 pp. ISBN: 1570757909, $35.00.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002. 238 pp. ISBN: 0830826882, $20.00.

Miller, Donald, and Tetsunao Yamamori. Global Pentecostalism. University of Calif. Press, 2007. 263 pp. ISBN: 0520251946, $25.95.

Sanneh, Lamin. Disciples of All Nations. Oxford University Press, 2007. 384 pp. ISBN: 0195189612, $19.95.

Walls, Andrew, and Cathy Ross, eds. Mission in the Twenty-First Century. Orbis, 2008. 219 pp. ISBN: 1570757739 $28.00.

1. Students will visit a church of another race/ethnic tradition several times over the course of the term and write a 2000-word paper analyzing this community (30%).

2. Students will write notes on each chapter read (10%).

3. Class participation (30%). Students will write in online journals and collaborate with other team members.

4. Using the church worksheet, students will write a 3000-word term paper, comparing their own tradition (in terms of nature, liturgy, community, mission, and organization) to other historical and contemporary churches (30%).