Fall 2003/Pasadena
DP512
Walters
DP512: UNITED METHODIST POLITY. Wayne Walters
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;
sources of authority within those structures; 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 leaders are selected; how decision are made at all levels of
church life; unique theological contributions; relationship to other
communions.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- See course description. This course is required for ordination in
the United Methodist Church and helps students prepare for ordination
examinations and for the local church pastorate.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course meets once a week for three hours and consists of
lectures, class discussion, and student presentations using case
studies.
REQUIRED READING:
- Frank, Thomas Edward. Polity, Practice, and Mission of the
United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 1997.
- Tuell, Jack M. The Organization of the United Methodist Church.
Abingdon Press, 2002.
- The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. United
Methodist Publishing House, 2000.
- The United Methodist Book of Worship. United Methodist Publishing
House, 1992.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church.
United Methodist Publishing House, 2000.
- The United Methodist Hymnal. United Methodist Publishing House,
1989.
- Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained
Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.
- __________. Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press,
2002.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Assigned readings, class attendance and participation (20% of
grade) , a 3-5 page case study presentation (25%), two 3 page reports (20%),
and a 10-page final project (35%).
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology
(MIN6).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.