Summer 2014/Pasadena

LD515

Cormode and Murphy

LD515: PRESBYTERIAN POLITY, HISTORY, AND LEADERSHIP (4 Units: 120 hour). Scott Cormode and Christopher Murphy.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to assist in preparing students for pastoral leadership within the Presbyterian Church USA context. This course will help equip students to pass the Presbyterian Polity ordination exam, educate them on Presbyterian History, and train them in pastoral leadership for Presbyterian churches.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will (1) demonstrate the ability to use the Book of Order to determine proper ways to govern the church using Presbyterian Polity; (2) will be prepared to pass the Presbyterian Polity ordination exam of the Presbyterian Church (USA); shall (3) have an understanding of the significant events in Presbyterian history; and (4) shall demonstrate an ability to reflect theologically about pastoral leadership.

COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet over two weeks for four-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 582 pages of required reading

Gray, Joan S., and Joyce C. Tucker. Presbyterian Polity for Church Officers. 4th ed. Geneva Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664503154, Pub. Price $20.00 [177 pp. assigned].

Longfield, Bradley. Presbyterian and American Culture: A History. Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0664231569, Pub. Price $30.00 [86 pp. assigned].

The Book of Order, 2013-2015. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II. The Office of the General Assembly. Item number: 534771, Pub. Price $10.00 [217 pp. assigned].

Assorted Articles on Leadership [102 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Chapman, William E. History and Theology in the Book of Order. Congregational Ministries Publishing, 1999. ISBN: 978-1571530608, Pub. Price $19.95.

Longfield, Bradley. The Presbyterian Controversy. Oxford University Press, USA, 1993. ISBN: 978-0195086744, Pub. Price $60.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 480 pages of required reading in books and 102 pages of reading in articles [41 hours].

2. One team presentation designed to apply the Constitution to congregational and relevant church settings. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1 & 3] (20%) [10 hours].

3. Exam on Presbyterian Polity taken at the end of the first week. [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2] (40%) [15 hours].

4. Exam on Leadership taken at the end of the second week. [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 4] (40%) [15 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Auditors will be required to complete all assignments.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets LDR requirement for the 120 MDiv Program and the MIN6 requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.