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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course provides clear and specific opportunities for students to bring their seminary education to bear on their aspirations for ministry.

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.

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.

Each week students will write theological responses to the issues in the cases. A key part of the learning comes from these weekly papers, which they will turn in via email the day before class meets. The professor will covenant with the students to have the papers graded with individualized comments by the time the class meets. These comments ensure that each student receives weekly individual attention and feedback from the professor.

Two sections of the course will be offered in Fall 2009: one section will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions (Tues., Thur.); the other section will meet weekly for three-hour sessions (Wed.).

Cormode, Scott. Web Site. There will be a class web site that will contain most of the readings and other necessary resources.

Scharen, Christian. Faith as a Way of Life: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership. Eerdmans, 2008.