Spring 2011/Pasadena
TM521
Smith

TM521: CONGREGATIONS IN THE WORLD: NEIGHBORHOOD, WORKPLACE, AND SOCIETY.
Joshua R. Smith


DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on how the laity and clergy of a congregation can engage the world missionally. As a faith community being transformed by the gospel, a church loves, does good, seeks justice, shares hospitality, and celebrates. Biblical, theological, and practical frameworks will be developed to support an "incarnational" approach for the congregation's missional life. Topics include neighborhood engagement and partnerships, community organizing, evangelism, church planting, vocational discernment, relating mission to spirituality, and maintaining a praxis orientation.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Conceptual work in theology, socio-cultural studies, and leadership as well as training in on-the-ground research will provide resources for a praxis-theory-praxis approach to churches engaging their contexts as witness to the gospel.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Cognitive: conceptual matters related to the praxis of a missional ecclesiology and changing perspectives on global mission; Skills: abilities to do theological reflection on ecclesiology and missiology toward a praxis approach to transformational ministry and leadership development; neighborhood exegesis including demographic research; Conation: vision for and commitment to forming congregations that engage their local setting and the world in transformational mission.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for 10 three-hour sessions. Class will include lectures, individual and group exercises, neighborhood research, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and guest speakers. There is no class May 30; class will meet during finals week on June 6, but there is no final exam. (The class will meet on campus.)

REQUIRED READING:

Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8308-3301-3, $16.00.

Myers, Bryant. Walking with the Poor. Orbis, 1999. ISBN 1-57075-275-3, $26.00.

Yamamori, Tetsunao, and C. René Padilla. The Local Church, Agent of Transformation. Kairós, 2004. ISBN 987-9403-67-3, $9.50.

Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker, 2007 ISBN 978-0-8010-9139-1, $16.99.

Kallenberg, Brad. Live to Tell. Brazos Press, 2002. ISBN 1-58743-050-9, $16.00.
OR Sharen, Christian. Faith as a Way of Life. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN 978-08028-6231-0, $15.00.

Articles on Moodle.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Attend class, read textbooks and articles; maintain Student Report Sheet (20%). (2) Web interaction on readings prior to class (10%). (3) Brief essays and public writing (10%). (4) Neighborhood research project that will include individual written reports and a group presentation (15%). (5) Write two book reviews on Escobar and either Kallenberg or Sharen (15%). (6) Create a portfolio of all written work including book reviews, reflective writing, research, public writing, and a final essay that connects class readings/presentations with the work of a church/organization (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in missions (MIN8) and MA globalization requirement (GLBL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No; but class will meet during finals week, June 6.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (revised February 11, 2011)