Fall 2010/Pasadena
PM514
Branson
PM514: MISSIONAL CHURCHES AND LEADERSHIP. Mark Lau Branson.
DESCRIPTION: This is 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. Working from a praxis-theory-praxis
perspective, the course will attend to topics as they are integrated in a
practical theology methodology.
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. ISBN: 978-1566992886; $18.
- Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan Martínez. Churches, Cultures, and
Leadership. InterVarsity Press, in press. (on Moodle; n/c)
- Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.
ISBN: 978-0800618025; $22.
- Roxburgh, Alan, and M. Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional
Church. Baker, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801072123; $18.
- Walsh, Brian, and Sylvia Keesmaat. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the
Empire. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0830827381;
$23.
- Articles on Moodle.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
- Attend class, read textbooks and assigned articles; maintain Student Report
Sheet (20%).
- Web interaction on readings prior to class (10%).
- Write a 500-600 word Adler-style book critique on Lohfink and
Walsh/Keesmaat (10%).
- Reflective essay (700-900 words) on your leadership capacities in light of
class through week 5 (10%).
- Team visits to a church; personal 1000-word research paper
(observation/interpretation), per syllabus (10%).
- Reflective blogging on the pastoral praxis of 2 guest speakers (10%).
- Write a 2000-2500 word term paper, per syllabus, that integrates issues of
ecclesiology, missiology, context, and leadership (30%).
PREREQUISITES: Student is required to complete 24 units before registering for
this class.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in General Ministry
(MIN 1) and Pastoral Ministry & Theology (MIN 6); meets Ministry
Foundations requirement (MIN F) for other master's degrees.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2010)