Spring 2009/Pasadena
TM521
Branson

TM521: CONGREGATIONS IN THE WORLD: NEIGHBORS, WORKPLACE, AND SOCIETY.
Mark Lau Branson.


DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on how the laity and clergy of a congregation can engage the world missionally. As a faith community being transformed by the gospel, a church loves, does good, seeks justice, invites and celebrates. Biblical, theological and practical foundations will be developed to support an "incarnational" approach for the congregation's missional life. Topics include relating careers to mission, community organizing, evangelism, linking churches for policy work, developing collaborations and nonprofit organizations, relating mission to spirituality, and maintaining a praxis orientation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitive: conceptual matters related to the praxis of a missional ecclesiology and changing perspectives on global mission; Skills: abilities to do theological reflection on ecclesiology and missiology toward a praxis approach to transformational ministry and leadership development; Internet research on demographics; Affective: vision for and commitment to forming congregations that engage their local setting and the world in transformational mission.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The conceptual work in theology, socio-cultural studies, and leadership, and the on-the-ground research, provide resources for a praxis-theory-praxis approach for churches to engage their context in the name of the gospel.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for 10 weeks; Class will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, assigned field trips, essays, and training in demographic research.

REQUIRED READING:

Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Myers, Bryant. Walking with the Poor. Orbis, 1999.

Yamamori, Tetsunao, and C. René Padilla. The Local Church as an Agent of Transformation. Kairós, 2004.

Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker, 2007.

Articles on Moodle.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Boff, Leonardo. Ecclesiogenesis. Orbis, 1986.

Bosch, David. Transforming Mission. Orbis, 1991.

Dudley, Carl. Community Ministry. Alban, 2002.

Guder, Darrell. The Missional Church. Eerdmans, 1998.

Sider, Ron, et al. Churches that Make a Difference. Baker, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Attend class, maintain Student Report Sheet. (2) Read texts and articles on schedule. (3) In-class exam on readings. (4) Brief essays and public writing. (5) In groups create a description of a community/neighborhood. (6) Create a portfolio of all written work including reflective writing, research, public writing, and a final essay that connects class readings/presentations with the work of a church/organization.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in missions (MIN8) and MA globalization requirement (GLBL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)