DESCRIPTION: This course begins with a research finding: Most pastors are not
equipped to talk theologically about the issues that are most important to lay
people. The purpose of this course is to teach students how to empower the
people of God to make theological sense of the issues that they encounter in
their daily lives. For example, the course will deal with issues like time,
money, sickness and pain, secrets, family life, and conflict. The emphasis will
be on the formative responsibilities of Christian leaders to prepare God's
people for faithful action.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are two major objectives for the course: First,
students will learn to exegete the lives of God's people and to use Scripture
to think theologically about the lives of the people entrusted to their care.
Second, students will learn how to create learning environments that prepare
God's people for faithful action in the world.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course provides clear and specific opportunities
for students to bring their seminary education to bear on their aspirations for
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: Each week will focus on a particular topic. Students will read a
series of case studies that deal with that topic. They will also be given a set
of exegetical and theological materials designed to help them understand the
issues in the case. These materials might include a theological word study, two
or three biblical passages (with a couple of commentaries discussing each
passage), and perhaps a theological or historical reading or two. In the first
weeks of the quarter, students will get this material packaged for them. But as
the quarter progresses, students will be asked to do more of the research and
selection for themselves.