DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and practical matters in ecclesiology and leadership. The work of lay and clergy leadership is explored in relationship to congregation formation, spiritual formation, and mission formation. All participants in a church are to be formed into an "interpretive community" that is engaged with God personally and corporately in spiritual formation and in missional life.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Concepts: a practical theology approach to the theological praxis of missional ecclesiology and leadership. Skills: theological reflection and interpretive skills relevant to congregational life & leadership. Conation: commitment and habits fronting church development and redevelopment.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Greater commitment to participating in congregational life, worship, and mission. (2) Increased understanding of the tasks of pastoral leadership. (3) Increased skills related to the work of a pastor. (4) Increased clarity concerning one's own gifts and calling in relationship to pastoral ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions, and will include lectures, individual and group exercises, site visits, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers.

REQUIRED READING:

Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations. Alban, 2004.

Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.

Roxburgh, Alan, and M. Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional Church. Baker, 2009.

Walsh, Brian, and Sylvia Keesmaat. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Willhauck, Susan, and Jacqulyn Thorpe. The Web of Women's Leadership: Recasting Congregational Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.

Articles on Moodle.

Anderson, Ray. The Soul of Ministry. Westminster John Knox, 1997.

Banks, Robert. Paul's Idea of Community. Rev. ed. Hendrickson, 1994.

Roxburgh, Alan, and Fred Romanuk. The Missional Leader. Jossey Bass, 2007.

Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community Before the Watching World. Discipleship Resources, 1994.

1. Attend class, maintain Student Report Sheet (20%).

2. Read texts and assigned articles on time; complete a one-page form on all articles and books (20%).

3. Write a 500-600 word Adler-style book critique on Lohfink and Walsh/Keesmaat (10%).

4. Team visits to a church; write 1000-word paper based on conversations, per syllabus (10%).

5. Reflective 1000-word essay on the pastoral praxis of 2 guest speakers (10%).

6. Write a 2500-3000 word term paper, per syllabus, that integrates issues of ecclesiology, missiology, context, and leadership (30%).