Summer 2013/Houston

DP505

W.R. Jones

DP505: PRESBYTERIAN POLITY AND WORSHIP. Winfield R. (Casey) Jones.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give students preparing for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) a thorough knowledge of the polity of the PCUSA as contained in its Constitution. The course will assist students preparing for the Standard Ordination Examinations in Polity and Worship. Time will also be spent covering the basics of parliamentary procedure as used in the PCUSA.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A working understanding of Presbyterian polity is required for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Polity is integral to one's functioning effectively as an ordained Presbyterian minister both in the local congregation and throughout the governing bodies of the church. Polity, in many ways, expresses the theology of the PC(USA). This course is designed to enable the students to identify polity issues and become aware of the implications of polity for one's decisions and functioning in the life of the Church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are five objectives for the course in Presbyterian polity: First, students will gain an increased appreciation of the polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) contained in Part II of its Constitution, the Book of Order, particularly the Form of Government. Second, students will be introduced to the common dilemmas of pastoral ministry and as a result be able to conduct their own ministries in accordance with Presbyterian law. Third, students completing this course will gain an understanding of the Book of Order in the larger context of the Great Ends of the Church (Form of Government, Chapter 1). Fourth, students will review the last two sections of the Book of Order, the Directory of Worship and the Rules of Discipline, especially as they relate to the Form of Government. Fifth, students upon completion of this course will be able to pass their ordination exam in Presbyterian polity.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet Mondays, June 24- Aug 19, 5:00-9:00 PM. It will consist of lecture, group discussion, and student-generated reports.

REQUIRED READING:

Chapman, William E. Distinctively Presbyterian. Witherspoon, 2006. ISBN: 978-1571530608, Pub. Price $14.95 [100 pp.]

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). (400 pp.). Part I, The Book of Confessions, and Part II, The Book of Order, can be downloaded (PDF) free of charge [http://oga.pcusa.org/constitution.htm].

Gray, Joan S., and Joyce C. Tucker. Presbyterian Polity for Church Leaders. 4th ed. Geneva Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664503154, Pub. Price $20.00 [208 pp.]

Wolfe, Marianne L. Parliamentary Procedures in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). P.R.P. [available at first class session from the instructor for a cost of $1.50].

Polity Course Reader (case studies, previous polity examinations). (50 pp.).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Regular reading assignments and readiness to discuss in class the course syllabus case studies.

  2. Regular attendance (10%) in order to participate in assigned teams which prepare and present case studies to the class.

  3. Three team presentations designed to apply the Constitution to congregational and relevant church settings (7% each = 21%).

  4. Great Ends team assignment (9%).

  5. An objective type midterm exam (similar to the Standard Ordination Exams) (20%). Make-up exams may be arranged only for emergencies and illness.

  6. Essay question, open-book final exam, given in class to simulate the Standard Ordination Exam in Polity (40%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry & Theology (MIN 6).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. Essay questions, open-book.


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.