DESCRIPTION: What is the alternative to the impersonal, success-oriented,
edifice-centered, and clergy-dominated model of Christian community that
pervades the church today? For increasing numbers of persons, the answer lies
in the small group. In a world where "natural networks" of community like
marriage, family, and the neighborhood are experiencing crisis and dissolution,
the need is great for the New Testament reality of Christian koinonia. This
course focuses on the birth, care, and feeding of Christian small groups
particularly as they can function in the life of a local congregation.
Philosophies of small group ministry will be explored, along with strategies
for beginning groups and maintaining them in a church, training leaders, and
dynamics of small group interaction. Participants will also become aware of
their own leadership and participative styles in groups with the purpose of
improving those responses.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Learners will know the biblical imperative for relational
community and be aware of what conditions foster the development of such. They
will be more committed to nurturing these conditions for community-building in
committees, groups, and the gatherings of Christians, prizing their heritage as
members of the Body of Christ and valuing others who share that connection.
Learners will actively seek to live out the concept and principles of
relational community with a missional purpose for the church in today's world.
Existentially, learners will become persons who recognize, rejoice in, and
foster relational community as foundational to ministry in the name of
Jesus.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The experiencing of relational community is at the
heart of the church. Being "in Christ" means becoming a part of his family.
Learning how to get along in that family and how to enrich and empower others
because of who we are as the reflection of Christ is inherent in being the
church. Such relational connection is attractive to persons in today's world
who want to experience belonging before believing. Ministry involves enabling
persons to connect with each other and with Christ as the setting for showing
not-yet-believers what it means to be kingdom people and to know the King is
present wherever two or three are gathered in the name of Christ.
COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions with
lectures, discussion, and small group involvement in class. Small group
involvement requires some additional time commitment.
REQUIRED READING: