Winter 2016/Pasadena

IS502

Ramirez-Johnson

IS502: PRACTICES OF COMMUNITY (4 Units: 160 hours). Johnny Ramirez-Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: Christian practices constitute the Christian life. The combined Christian practices of vocational formation, worship, community, and mission facilitate the integration of personal, spiritual, academic, and global formation into the vocational coherence of a Christian leader through reflection, relationships, and practices. IS502 is an integrative course that explores the identity and practices of Christian community, as a people called, gathered, and sent by God. Together, professor and students study and enact historic Christian disciplines necessitated by this distinctive identity (Hospitality, Truth-telling, Promise-keeping, Forgiveness, Christian Formation, Gratitude, Testimony, and Group Spiritual Direction).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will reflect on their current and past experiences of Christian practices of community; (2) Students will participate in local contexts and demonstrate the capacity to engage in activities and exercisesrelated to Christian spiritual disciplines and practices of community;(3) Students will demonstrate the capacity to engage scripture, tradition, and contemporary resources to reflect theologically on historic practices of community;(4) Students will articulate how community practices impact their response to the Central Integration Question (CIQ) and will identify exercises, habits, and disciplines to embody these practices within their sociocultural context.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion (which includes 8 hours of participation in vocation and formation groups).

REQUIRED READING: 800 pp. of required reading and/or the equivalent time in viewing.

Lohfink, Gerhard. La Iglesia que Jesus Quería. Desclée De Brouwer, 2004. ISBN: 978-8433006905, Precio $15.67 [100 pp.].

Martinez, Juan & Branson, Mark. Iglesias, Culturas Y Liderazgo: Una Teología Práctica Para Congregaciones Y Etnias. Vida, 2013. ISBN: 978-0829760958, Pub. Price $6.99 [300 pp.].

Padilla, C. René; Yamamori, Tetsunao. La iglesia local como agente de transformación: una eclesiología para la misión integral. Ediciones Kairos, 2003. ISBN: 978-9879403532, Precio $22.00 [100 pp.].

Rolán, Alberto, F.; Thomas, Nancy; Van Engen, Carlos; Editores. La Iglesia latinoamericana: Su vida y su mission. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-9506831660, Precio $14.80 [10 pp.].

PRACTICAS CENTRALES:

Hospitalidad:

Perea, Stan, Editor. A Legacy of Fifty Years: The Life and Work of Justo González: Un legado de cincuenta años: la vida y obra de Justo González. Association for Hispanic Theological Education & Abingdon Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1426788673, Precio $9.99 [40 pp.].

Inclusión:

Perea, Stan, Editor. A Legacy of Fifty Years: The Life and Work of Justo González: Un legado de cincuenta años: la vida y obra de Justo González. Association for Hispanic Theological Education & Abingdon Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1426788673, Precio $9. [40 pp.].

Educacion Cristian:

Pazmiño, Robert W. Principios y Prácticas de la Educación Cristiana. Wipf and Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-899224367, Precio $21.00. [180 pp.].

Formación:

Pazmiño, Robert W. Principios y Prácticas de la Educación Cristiana. Wipf and Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-899224367, Precio $21.00. [180 pp.].

Discernimiento:

Padilla & Yamamori, vea arriba [100 pp.]. Rolán, Thomas, Van Engen; Editores. [70 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 800 pages reading and videos, including at least 50 pages of biblical text (40 hours). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. Submit a log with all readings and time/pages read plus a brief 100 words description of key ideas, questions and resources found in the reading. Online Moodle form submission (10%). [70 hours total].

2. Classroom: for each practice, students will engage, reflect, create (utilizing instruction, participation, presentation, discussion, engaging practice-based theology cycle for theological reflection, case studies) (2.5% X 8 = 20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3]. [32 hours].

• Hospitality, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Truth-telling, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Promise-keeping, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Forgiveness, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Christian Formation, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Gratitude, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Testimony, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

• Group Spiritual Direction, 500 words reflection essay, Moodle upload

3. Vocation Formation Group (VFG)-In a Vocation Formation Group, students will engage spiritual disciplines, practices, and discussion. Students will study the Bible, and share and listen to stories related to the practices. (Vocation Formation Group Leader (VFGL) will let professor know if students have been present and engaged) (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, and #4]. [8 hours].

4. Students will participate in directed practices and disciplines over the course of the quarter Students will schedule and report, using provided Moodle course site entry form, 60 fifteen minute devotions or sessions devoted to The Prayer of Examen (six days a week for 10 weeks), or a couple of all-day retreats, or anything in between (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [5 hours].

5. Four fieldwork activities and reflections (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [7 hours + 7 hours].

• Fieldwork option #1: Participate in a children, youth, college, or senior adults ministry program or event (church program you are not familiar with or do not regularly participate in).


• Fieldwork option #2: Participate in a Bible study, small group, new members class, confirmation class, or Sunday school/Christian education hour.

• Fieldwork option #3: Participate inachurch “event” (e.g. potluck, fair, hike or other outing, arts project, eating in a congregant home, party, celebration such as wedding/anniversary/retirement, lent or advent gathering).


• Fieldwork option #4: Participate in a service activity with other congregants (e.g. preparing a meal for others, visit someone in the hospital, picking up trash, homeless outreach).

• *If a student’s church does not have some of these options during the quarter, they could attend another church in their community and/or pair up with another student in the course.

6. Autobiography related to core course concept (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. 500 word essay to be uploaded via Moodle [2 hours].

7. Signature Assignment: 100 word CIQ response, Integration paper related to course practices, and Rule of Life (2,500 words total) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #3, and #4]. [15 hours].

8. Following the steps outlined in Martinez and Branson’s book, visit a church and report via a 1000 word essay including a log of the activities, time and learning/reflection that took place. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #3, and #4]. [14 hours].

PREREQUISITES None. Recommended in first year of study.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core integrative requirement in the 120 MDiv Program and the 80 MAT, 80 MATM, 80 MAICS Programs.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.