Winter 2017/Pasadena

GM527

Clark

GM527: MINISTRY AND CULTURE (4 Units: 160 hours). Chap Clark.

DESCRIPTION: With life and people changing so rapidly, it is easy for leaders in the church to find themselves answering questions no one is asking. This course, which will include training and experience in both secular and theological/biblical research and analysis, will teach the student to dive deeply into the reality of both global and local contemporary experience in order to help them to navigate the complexities of faith in any context and to form a theological and pastoral response.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will (1) identify and research significant global, national and local trends and societal issues facing the church; (2) demonstrate the ability to personally engage in theological, psychosocial and cultural reflection on contemporary issues affecting people both in and beyond the church in a given context; (3) construct theological and contextual analyses of and response to global, national and local contemporary issues in a way that congregants can readily access.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions, plus ten hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours, which are outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Lectures, supplemental videos, class discussion, and presentations by students and various guest experts will make up the class time. Each student will complete a final project.

REQUIRED READING: 1,207 required pages.

Blomberg, Craig L. Can We Still Believe The Bible? An Evangelical Engagement with Contemporary Questions. Brazo Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1587433214, Pub. Price $21.99 [287 pp. assigned].

Campbell, Heidi A. and Stephen Garner. Networked Theology: Negotiating Faith in a Digital Culture. Baker Academic, 2016.  ISBN: 978-0801049149, Pub. Price $22.99 [192 pp. assigned].

Cleveland, Christena. Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart. IVP Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830844036, Pub. Price $16.00 [220 pp. assigned].

Ferguson, Susan J. (Joann). Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Social Class: Dimensions of Inequality. SAGE, 2015. ISBN: 978-1483374956, Pub. Price $73.00. [300 pp. assigned]. (Note: The first edition may be substituted for the second edition).

Roxburgh, Alan J. Missional: Joining God in the Neighborhood. Baker, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801072314, Pub. Price $16.99 [208 pp. assigned].

Additional reading required for research and analysis paper.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,207 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 3]. [70 hours].
2. Completion of two (2) 3-4 page essays on readings (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3]. [10 hours].
3. Participate in weekly Moodle forums by writing a minimum of one (1) 90-­120 word posts and at least one (1) response to someone else’s post via Moodle (18 posts total) offering critical reflection on course content and peer reviewing of others’ work (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2 and 3]. [15 hours, including 10 hours of DLAs].
4. Choose a research project from a list of contemporary issues that the church must take seriously and address, making sure to include both a global perspective and either a national or local perspective on the issue. In a group of 3-4 students lead a class discussion on the research and implications for ministry of topic (including power point and class outline), and submit a 12-15 page group final paper (40%). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes, especially #3]. [35 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet a requirement in the Youth, Family, and Culture (YFC) emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION:None.