Summer 2006/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 17-28
PM538
Buxton

PM538: PARTICIPATION IN THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST. Graham Buxton.


DESCRIPTION: The determining thesis in the course is that the authenticity of ministry is expressed not in terms of effect but in terms of source. Drawing from contemporary insights into the dynamic relationality of the Trinity, the course will present an interpretation of Christian ministry as participation in the relational life of the triune God of grace who is continuously working in his creation through his Spirit to reconcile all things under Christ. Students will be invited to consider a number of key dimensions in pastoral ministry not only within the paradigm of participation, but also within a Trinitarian perspective. Students will also be encouraged to view pastoral ministry as a holistic engagement with the contemporary culture, challenging the "sacred-secular divide" syndrome.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will be able to
(1) discuss the nature of the church and its relationship to the kingdom of God within the perspective of mission, with special focus on the congregation and its witness to God incarnationally, kerygmatically, and diakonally; (2) appreciate the Trinitarian basis and ordering of the church as a community of faith; (3) understand the passion for mission in the heart of God; (4) appreciate the privilege of the church to participate in the missio Dei in the power of the Spirit; (5) reflect theologically on the concept of contextualization in ministry, with particular reference to the "sacred-secular divide" syndrome; and (6) acknowledge the need for spiritual integrity in ministry formation.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: By grounding the course in a robust Trinitarianism, students will receive a clear biblical and theological foundation for ministry as participation in the ongoing ministry of Christ in the world in the power of the Spirit, thus preparing them for effective Christocentric pastoral and missional leadership. Students will discover conceptual tools enabling them to engage in theologia viatorum as they wrestle with contemporary issues at the cutting edge of pastoral ministry. They will also acquire a critical paradigm for ministry that confronts the seductiveness of both activism and pragmatism, two temptations that rob many pastors of joy in ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet daily in four-hour class sessions for two weeks. Students will be expected to participate interactively in class discussions, case studies, and groupwork.

REQUIRED READING:

Buxton, G. Dancing in the Dark: The Privilege of Participating in the Ministry of Christ. Paternoster, 2001.

Fiddes, P. S. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2000.

Pinnock, Clark H. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Course Reader.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Barbour, I. G. When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers or Partners? HarperCollins, 2000.

Buxton, G. The Trinity, Creation & Pastoral Ministry: Imaging the Perichoretic God. Paternoster, 2005.

Drane, J. Cultural Change and Biblical Faith: The Future of the Church. Paternoster, 2000.

Hall, D. J. Thinking the Faith: Christian Theology in a North American Context. Fortress, 1991.

Peterson, Eugene H. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eerdmans, 1987.

Van Engen, Charles and Jude Tiersma, God So Loves the City. Monrovia, CA: MARC, 1994.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) A 15-20 page major paper, reflecting theologically on the central ideas presented in the course (70%; due September 1). (2) Two two-page reviews of a required text selection other than Buxton (20% [10% each]; due July 21 and July 26). (3)A two-page evaluation paper based upon a selected chapter of Dancing in the Dark (10%; due August 4).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry & Theology (MIN6).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.