Spring 2018/Fuller Online

WS519

Presa

WS519: WORSHIP MINISTRY AND THE SEASONS OF LIFE (4 Units: 160 hours). Neal D. Presa

DESCRIPTION: This course will explore the theory and practice of pastoral ministry. It will do so through the five-fold pattern of pastoral care as outlined by Eugene Peterson, but will focus in particular on how this is done through corporate worship and pastoral rites. To do so, this course will explore both the practical and theoretical dimensions of worship leadership. It will examine issues relating to the planning and implementing of worship on the feasts, fasts, and other commemorations of a church’s calendar across various Christian traditions. It will also explore the creation and use of pastoral rites throughout the life cycle. This course will focus on ways Christian worship can be adjusted and adapted to specific times in the life of a church and the life of its people. Special attention will be paid both to ecclesial tradition and the particular context of a congregation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to: (1) identify and describe pastoral care in the context of church life and ministry in particular liturgical ministry through the life cycle; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the pastoral dimensions of liturgical ministry in pastoral rites; (3) reflect upon the practice of self-care and develop a plan for self-development; (4) articulate and apply a praxis-theory-praxis methodology for pastoral and liturgical ministry; and (5) will have completed an approved online course in mandated reporting.

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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: 1442 pages required.

Black, Kathy. Culturally-Conscious Worship. Chalice Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0827204812, Pub Price: $21.99 [153 pp. assigned]

Lartey, Emmanuel Y. Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World. Wipf & Stock, 2013. ISBN: 978-1620329733, Pub Price $22.00 [174 pp.]

Lathrop, Gordon W. The Pastor: A Spirituality. Fortress Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800698355, Pub Price: $24.99 [160 pp. assigned].

McBride, Jennifer M. Radical Discipleship: A Liturgical Politics of the Gospel. Fortress Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1506401898, Pub Price: $34.00. [259 pp. assigned]

Peterson, Eugene H. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802806604, Pub. Price: $21.00 [241 pp. assigned]

Ramshaw, Gail. Christian Worship: 100,000 Sundays of Symbols and Rituals. Fortress Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0800662332, Pub Price: $39.00 [124 pp. assigned]

Stookey, Lawrence. Calendar: Christ’s Time for the Church. Abingdon Press, 1986. ISBN: 978-0687011360, Pub Price: $22.99 [183 pp. assigned]

Stookey, Lawrence. Let the Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public. Abingdon Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0687090778, Pub Price: $22.99 [148 pp. assigned]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802829627. Pub Price: $20.00.

Chilton, Bruce. Redeeming Time. Baker Academic, 2002. ISBN: 978-0801045899. Pub Price: $23.00.

Evans, Abigail. Healing Liturgies for the Seasons of Life. Westminster John Knox, 2004. ISBN: 978-0664224820. Pub Price: $50.00.

Hunsinger, Deborah van Deusen. Pray Without Ceasing: Revitalizing Pastoral Care. Wm. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 978-0802847591. Pub Price: $24.00.

Willimon, William. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0687463886, Pub. Price $25.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1442 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [65 hours].
  2. Online participation and viewing lectures. (5%) [20 hours online].
  3. Develop three liturgies: one for Lent, one for a funeral, and one for a home visitation. Each liturgy is to be accompanied by a 250-word reflection paper where you reflect upon the pastoral, contextual, theological, and liturgical factors you accounted for in developing these liturgies. (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4]. [15 hours]
  4. Develop a plan for, and engage in spiritual practices and self-care throughout the quarter (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [10 hours].
  5. Complete a group exercise in active listening. This will demonstrate the capacity to be an active listener in a pastoral conversation. A two-page reflection paper will be submitted to complete the requirement for this assignment. [5%]. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [5 hours].
  6. Complete the online trainings for mandated reporting (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #5] [5 hours].
  7. Attend a worship service at a congregation in a theological tradition that you are unfamiliar nor accustomed with. Then interview the pastoral leadership about the theological, liturgical, and pastoral choices made in putting together that worship service, and how the pastoral leadership connects the church’s worship with pastoral care work throughout the week. Write a 1000-word reflection paper on your findings and on your reflection of the theological, liturgical, and pastoral dimensions of the worship and pastoral work of this congregation and what it may mean for your own sense of ministry (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 4] [10 hours].
  8. Write a 750-word reflection paper each (total of 4 papers) on the theologies and practices of Christian Initiation, Eucharist/Lord’s Supper, Weddings, and Funerals in your own theological/ecclesial tradition using, as a resource, a worship or ministry manual of your tradition. Your reflection will evaluate these in terms of pastoral efficacy. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 4] [10 hours].
  9. Signature Assignment: Plan a pastoral rite for a specific person/family/community. In a 2,500 word essay, the student will give reasons for her or his choices and will be graded on both the pastoral and theoretical dimension of their work (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 4] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the PC/PM requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in General Ministry & Spirituality (MIN 1).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.