DESCRIPTION: This is a 6-unit required methods seminar for all PhD students in Practical Theology; at the 500-level, the 4-unit course is offered to a limited number of master's level students as approved by the professor. The seminar will introduce students to recent studies of practical theology with a focus on ecclesiology and mission in a Western context. The hermeneutical implications of a praxis-based theology of ministry will be considered in an integrative, interdisciplinary manner, with attention to matters of leadership appropriate to participation in God's mission in both the church and the world.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Those who teach and practice Christian ministry need clarity and competency concerning methods that connect theories and practices. Such competencies include being able to draw on the interpretation of texts (biblical, historical, theoretical), to engage the resources and challenges of cultures, and to develop habits of thoughtful and faithful praxis, including teaching and leadership.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitive: conceptual work in contemporary practical theology and the integration of ecclesiology, missiology, leadership, and ministry. Skills: individual and corporate skills in hermeneutics and theological reflection regarding texts and contexts. Conative: vision for and commitment to theology in service of congregations as learning, missional, spiritual communities of faith.

SEMINAR FORMAT: The seminar will meet for three hours weekly, for ten weeks, and will utilize web-based media and interaction. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING: PhD and ThM students will read all required books; MA/MDiv students need to scan all books and read a minimum of 1500 pages, including books indicated by +. The primary theoretical texts are indicated by *:

*+Anderson, Ray. The Soul of Ministry. Westminster John Knox, 1997. ISBN: 978-0664257446; $30.

+Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations. Alban Institute, 2004. ISBN: 978-1566992886; $18.

+Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan Martínez. Churches, Cultures, and Leadership. InterVarsity, in press. (on Moodle; n/c).

* Browning, Don. A Fundamental Practical Theology. Fortress, 1991. ISBN: 978-0800629731; $25.

*+Groome, Thomas. Sharing Faith. Wipf & Stock, 1999. ISBN: 978-1579101961; $45.

Heifetz, Ronald, and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line. Harvard Business School, 2002. ISBN: 978-1578514373; $33.

* Heitink, Gerben. Practical Theology. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802842947; $45.

+Roxburgh, Alan. Missional Map-Making. Jossey Bass, 2010. ISBN: 978-0470486726; $25.

Schreiter, Robert. Constructing Local Theologies. Orbis, 1985. ISBN: 978-0883441084; $26.

Toulmin, Stephen. Cosmopolis. University of Chicago Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0226808383; $18.

+Van Gelder, Craig. The Missional Church in Context. Eerdmans, 2007 (chs. 1, 3, 4). ISBN: 978-0802845672; $20.

Papers posted on Moodle.

It is assumed that students are familiar with a standard guide to writing research papers, like Wayne Booth et al., The Craft of Research (2nd ed.; University of Chicago Press, 2003).