Fall 2012/Houston

TM521

Parchman

TM521: CONGREGATIONS IN THE WORLD: NEIGHBORHOOD, WORKPLACE, & SOCIETY. Karen Parchman.

DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the practices of the local church as it engages in the world as partners in God’s mission of restoration to make all things new. Principles from scripture, theology, and social practice will be developed to illustrate the dynamic connections between congregation and context. Building from the praxis-theory-praxis framework of practical theology, students will engage such topics as neighbor hospitality, healthy partnerships, community development and social action, evangelism, and spiritual formation.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is designed to promote student’s authentic, practical engagement with social environments and contexts from a practical theology framework in order to approach and interpret with others their understanding of the church, the culture, and the mission of God.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have: (1) developed a conceptual understanding of the missiological purpose and task of Christian ministry in the world through a praxis-theory-praxis perspective; (2) integrated a kingdom perspective into their spiritual and missiological interpretations of culture and congregation; (3) demonstrated the ability to engage a practical theology method for reflection on and evaluation of the congregation’s connection to their context and cultures; (4) utilized the concepts, perspectives, experiences and skills from this course for their own spiritual formation and vocational direction; and (5) begun to grasp a vision for and commitment to forming congregations as an incarnational and interpretive presence in the community.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet on Fridays (6:00p.m.-9:30p.m.) and Saturdays (8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.) on Oct. 5-6; Oct. 19-20; Nov. 2-3; and Nov 16-17.

REQUIRED READING:

Arias, Mortimer. 2001. Announcing the Reign of God. Lima, OH: Academic Renewal Press. 174 Pages. ISBN 978-1579105631. $21.00

Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan F. Martínez. 2011. Churches, Cultures, and Leadership. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic. 275 pages. ISBN 978-0830839261. $15.21**

Escobar, Samuel. 2003. The New Global Mission. InterVarsity Press. 192 pages. ISBN 978-0830833016. $10.90.

McKnight, Scot, Kevin Corcoran, Peter Rollins, and Jason Clark. 2011. Church in the Present Tense. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press. 156 pages. ISBN 978-1579105631. $14.87.

Roxburgh, Alan and Scott Boren. 2009. Introducing the Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 200 pages. ISBN 978-0801072123. $15.54.

Wright, N.T. 2012. After You Believe. New York: HarperOne. 320 pages. ISBN 978-0061730542. $10.87.

Additional articles and chapters in Moodle.

**If you have read Branson and Martínez for another class, substitute the following:

Osmer, Richard Robert. 2008. Practical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdman’s. 256 pages. ISBN 978-0802817655. $15.62

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Students will upload Weekly Journal writings (2 per weekend) relating to the content of the lectures, readings, and class interactions, and their impact on student’s understanding of vocational ministry and the church in society (5%)

2. It is expected that students will read the required material according to the schedule and be prepared to interact in group discussions and any exercises related to the material (10%)

3. Prepare and lead a small group discussion on one of the required books. Submit a 700-word analytical reading report and proposed interview guide plan (2 pages) for the small group discussion (15%).

4. Create and present a planned missional encounter for a particular ministry area of the church. It may be a men’s/women’s ministry, youth, children, current missions practice, etc. Anticipate the role this encounter has on the spiritual or communal formation within the people of God, and explain how it underlies your program or materials. (5 - 7pp, 30%).

5. Final Paper: utilizing a practical theology method, students will submit a 5,000 word final paper describing current praxis relating to a church’s interaction with its context, and prescribing future missional engagement for the people of God. Include the biblical, theological, and socio-cultural reasons for change, expansion, or transformation of current praxis, and suggest possible processes for the church in change (40%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv Core requirement in Practical Theology/Spiritual Formation (MIN1) and in Missiology (MIN8).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Final Paper.