Winter 2019/Fuller Online

PM514

Branson

PM514: MISSIONAL CHURCHES AND LEADERSHIP (4 Units: 160 Hours). Mark Lau Branson.

DESCRIPTION: This is a practical theology course that engages biblical, theological, and practical matters in ecclesiology and leadership. The work of lay and clergy leadership is explored in regard to fostering an environment in which all participants are to be formed into an interpretive community that is engaged with God personally and corporately in congregation formation, spiritual formation, and missional formation. Working from a praxis-theory-praxis perspective, the course will attend to topics as they are integrated in a practical theology methodology with an emphasis on missio Dei.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) articulate an understanding of missional ecclesiology for the student’s anticipated ministry context; (2) articulate an understanding of the tasks of congregational leadership; (3) apply course frameworks for ecclesiology, contexts, and leadership to exercises regarding specific cases; and (4) articulate reflectively concerning one’s own gifts and calling in relationship to course frameworks for ecclesiology, contexts, and leadership.

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 (text and video), reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1100 pp. required.

Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan F. Martinez. Churches, Cultures and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities. IVP Academic, 2011. ISBN: 978-0830839261, Pub. Price $27.00. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library [233 pp. assigned].

Branson, Mark Lau, and Nicholas Warnes. Starting Missional Churches: Life with God in the Neighborhood. InterVarsity, 2014. ISBN: 978-0830841165, Pub. Price $20.00. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library [185 pp. assigned].

Roxburgh, Alan. Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood. Baker, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801072314, Pub. Price $16.99. Available as an e-book from Fuller Library [180 pp. assigned].

Sedmak, Clemens. Doing Local Theology. Orbis, 2003. ISBN: 978-1570754524, Pub. Price $26.00 [161 pp. assigned].

Wimberly, Anne Streaty. Soul Stories: African American Christian Education. Rev. ed. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687494323, Pub. Price $22.99 [167 pp.].

Leadership Articles/Chapters on Canvas (some items will be added as the term progresses):

Argyris, C., “Teaching Smart People How to Learn” Harvard Business Review, 1991 [16 pp.].

Branson, Mark Lau, “Forming Church, Forming Mission,” International Review of Mission, 2003 [11 pp.]

Ely, R. and Meyerson, D., “Theories of Gender in Organizations,” Working Paper #8, Center for Gender in Organizations, Simmons College, 2000. (www.simmons.edu/som/docs/cgo_wp8_DNC.pdf) [46 pp.].

Heifetz, Ronald, “The Work of Leadership” HBR, 2001 [16 pp.].

Senge, Peter, “The Leader’s New Work,” Sloan Management Review, 1990 [17 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1100 pp. of required reading; weekly video lectures/presentations (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [85 hours].
  2. Weekly group video meetings—synchronous, with groups arranging times (DLAs) (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [10 hours].
  3. Weekly hour in activities in your geographic/relational context, per details in syllabus/Canvas (10%). [10 hours].
  4. Web text-based discussions (DLAs) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4] [10 hours]
  5. Reflective essay (750 words): Autobiographical reflections on Christian life, church involvement, and leadership (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [5 hours].
  6. Reflective essay (750 words): your leadership capacities in light of class, midway through class (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 4]. [5 hours].
  7. Practical Theology Case Study & Online Presentation, per Canvas (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [10 hours].
  8. Write a 2,000 word term paper, per syllabus/Canvas, that integrates issues of ecclesiology, missiology, context, and leader­ship; demonstrating a practical theology method; includes the student’s reflection on progress concerning course goals (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 4]. [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: This course assumes significant prior studies. It is highly recommended that students take PM514 during or after Field Ed, or toward the end of a masters program. It is also highly recommended that students have completed IS500, IS501, IS502, and IS503.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the LDR requirement for the 120 MDiv Program. Meets 144 MDiv core requirement MIN6 or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for other master’s degrees.

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.