Spring 2013/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 might engage the world missionally. The vocation of a faith community being transformed by the gospel is to be a sign, witness, and foretaste to God’s coming reign in their local context. Biblical, theological, and leadership frameworks will be developed to support a missional approach to congregational 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: (1) Cognitive: conceptual matters related to the praxis of a missional ecclesiology and changing perspectives on global mission; (2) 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; (3) 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.

REQUIRED READING:

Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830833016, Pub.price: $16.00 [192 pp.].

Roxburgh, Alan. Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood. Baker Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801072314, Pub.price $16.99 [196 pp.].

Stone, Bryan. Evangelism After Christendom. Brazos Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1587431944, Pub.price: $30.00 [336 pp.].

Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801091391, Pub.price: $16.99 [208].

Yamamori, Tetsunao, and C. René Padilla. The Local Church, Agent of Transformation. Ediciones Kairós, 2004. ISBN: 978-9879403679, Pub.price $18.00 [pp. not available].

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 reflective essays on readings, articles, and videos (10%).

  4. Neighborhood research project that will include individual written reports and a group presentation (15%).

  5. Write a book review on Escobar and Stone (15%).

  6. Create a portfolio of all written work including book reviews, reflective writing, research, and a final paper that connects class readings/presentations with the work of a church/organization (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv Core requirement in General Ministry/Spirituality (MIN1) and in missions (MIN8) and MA globalization requirement (GLBL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No; but class will meet during finals week, June 10.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.