Fall 2013/Fuller Online

DP512

Walters

DP512: UNITED METHODIST POLITY. Wayne Walters.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history, doctrine, and worship. Subject matter will include organization of the church at the local, district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels; 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 decisions are made at all levels of church life; unique theological contributions; and the rapidly changing nature of the denomination and church in modern culture.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is required for ordination in the United Methodist Church and helps students prepare for ordination examinations and the local church pastorate. The course also assists students exploring denominational affiliation in their personal discernment process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) the ability to be conversant about the forms of ministry and structure of the United Methodist Church, (2) an appreciation of the connectional nature of the United Methodist Church, (3) the development of a theological base for dealing with issues that arise in parish ministry, (4) increased skills in pastoral ministry including leading basic worship services, weddings, and funerals, (5) a knowledge of United Methodist ordination requirements and skills at presenting themselves to ordination boards.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will be conducted online using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. The course emphasizes collaborative learning, and students need to be willing to be committed to working together with other students through journaling, threaded discussions, and web-based research. Weekly posts are required in response to assigned readings as well as web-based sites and materials related to the United Methodist Church and ministry in today’s culture. Classes require substantial preparation on the part of students, on average two hours of preparation for each class hour, including study of assigned readings that are specified.

REQUIRED READING:

Frank, Thomas Edward. Polity, Practice, and Mission of the United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0687335312, Pub. Price $27.99 [361 pp.].

Matthews, Rex D., ed. The Renewal of United Methodism: Mission, Ministry, and Connectionalism/Essays in Honor of Russell E. Richey. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, 2012. ISBN: 978-0938162612, Pub. Price $9.95 [209 pp.].

Rendle, Gil. Back to Zero: The Search to Rediscover the Methodist Movement. Abingdon Press, 2011. ISBN 978-1426740398, Pub. Price $11.99 [104 pp.].

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2012. United Methodist Publishing House. ISBN: 978-1426718120, Pub. Price $21.99 [879 pp.].