Spring 2004/Pasadena
PM514
Branson
PM514: FORMING THE PEOPLE OF GOD: CONGREGATIONAL PRAXIS. Mark Lau Branson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and
practical matters in ecclesiology. The work of lay and clergy leadership is
explored in relationship to congregation formation, spiritual formation, and
mission formation. All participants in a church are to be formed into an
"interpretive community" that is engaged with God personally and corporately in
spiritual formation and in missional outreach.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Concepts: theological studies in ecclesiology and
organizational development theory on leadership. Skills: theological
reflection and small group interpretive skills relevant to congregational life
& leadership. Conation: commitment and habits fronting church
development and redevelopment.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet for two hours, twice weekly, for ten weeks.
Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective
discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers.
REQUIRED READING:
- Brownson, James et al. Stormfront: The Good News of God.
Eerdmans, 2003.
- Dietterich, Inagrace. Cultivating Missional Communities. Chicago:
The Center for Parish Development, 1995.
- Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress,
1984.
- Ogden, Greg. Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People
of God. Zondervan, 2003.
(If student has previously read Ogden, then
read
Stevens, R. Paul & Phil Collins. The Equipping Pastor. The
Alban Institute, 1993.)
- Roxburgh, Alan. Crossing the Bridge. Percept, 2000.
- Class Reader including Ray Anderson, James Evans, Stanley Hauerwas, David
Ng, Elizabeth O'Connor, Manuel Ortiz, Eugene Peterson.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Anderson, Ray. Ministry on the Fireline. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1993.
- Banks, Robert. Paul's Idea of Community (Rev. ed.). Peabody:
Hendrickson, 1994.
- Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
1996
- Dawn, Marva. Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
- Guder, Darrell, ed. The Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1989
- Hauerwas, Stanley and William Willimon, Resident Aliens. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1989.
- Van Gelder, Craig. The Essence of the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker,
2000.
- Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian
Community Before the Watching World. Nashville: Discipleship Resources,
1994.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- (1) Attend class, maintain Student Report Sheet (25%). (2) Read
texts and assigned articles on time (25%). (3) Complete a one-page form on all
articles (5%). (4) Write a 500-600 word book critique on each of the five main
textbooks (20%). (5) Write a 2500-3000 word term paper the integrates issues of
ecclesiology, context, and leadership (25%). (6) To pursue an A, complete an
Adler-style overview of 4 other recommended books; read Colossians and write a
1500-2000 word paper in reference to the course and your term paper.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry & Theology
(MIN6).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.