Fall 2009/Pasadena
DP512
Walters

DP512: UNITED METHODIST POLITY. Wayne Walters.


COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history, doctrine, and worship. Subject matter will include organization of the church at the local, district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels; sources of authority and permission within those structures; how the church finds expression through its structures; privileges and responsibilities of the connectional system; ordination and the various forms of ministry; recent trends in legislation; how leaders are selected; how decision are made at all levels of church life; unique theological contributions; relationship to other communions.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is required for ordination in the United Methodist Church and helps students prepare for ordination examinations and the local church pastorate. The course also sometimes assists students exploring denominational affiliation in their personal discernment process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) the ability to be conversant about the forms of ministry and structure of the United Methodist Church, (2) an appreciation of the connectional nature of the United Methodist Church, (3) the development of a theological base for dealing with issues that arise in parish ministry, (4) increased skills in pastoral ministry including leading basic worship services, weddings, and funerals, (5) a knowledge of United Methodist ordination requirements and skills at presenting themselves to ordination boards.

COURSE FORMAT: This course meets once a week for a three-hour session and consists of lectures, audio-visual presentations, class discussion, and student presentations using case studies. A visit to a local United Methodist church on a Sunday morning (on a date of the student's choice) will take the place of one evening class session.

REQUIRED READING:

Frank, Thomas Edward. Polity, Practice, and Mission of the United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 2006.

Richey, Russell E., Dennis M. Campbell, and William B. Lawrence. Marks of Methodism: Theology in Ecclesial Practice. Abingdon Press, 2005.

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2008. United Methodist Publishing House.

RECOMMENDED READING:
The United Methodist Book of Worship. United Methodist Publishing House, 1992.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Class attendance, participation, and evidence of reading assigned materials (20% of grade), a 4-page report (15%), a mid-term exam (20%), a 4-5 page case study paper and class presentation or a 6 page book review (20%), and a 6-7 page final paper (25%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

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

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/09)