DP505
Fisher-Ogden
DP505: PRESBYTERIAN POLITY. Daryl Fisher-Ogden.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to give students in the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) an overview of the polity of the PCUSA as contained in its
Constitution. The course will assist in preparing students for the Standard
Ordination Examinations in Polity and Worship.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Due to their understanding of humanity as permeated with sin,
Presbyterians do not allow power to be concentrated. Instead, their polity
establishes a system of checks and balances. The collective wisdom of
committees may be slower to arrive at, but is felt to be a check upon any one
personal agenda. The Presbyterian pastor who learns to work within this polity
system also learns the joy of shared involvement by many of the laity, as they
truly have power to make decisions. In addition, the pastor learns the justice
behind Presbyterian polity which values all persons and the fairness of open
debate around a common table.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will meet each night for two weeks, Monday-Friday, for
four-hour sessions for lectures and discussion. Case studies will be used
regularly.
REQUIRED READING:
- The Book of Confessions. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- The Book of Order. 1996-1997. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Gray, Joan S. and Joyce C. Tucker. Presbyterian Polity for Church
Officers. Westminster/John Knox, 1990.
- Robert's Rules of Order. The Scott, Foresman, Nealy Edition, 1981.
- Polity Course Syllabus.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Annotated Ed., The Book of Order, 1996-1997. Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 1. Regular reading assignments.
- 2. Regular reading and readiness to discuss in class the course syllabus
cases.
- 3. Periodic exams designed similar to the Standard Ordination Exams.
Make-up exams may be arranged only for emergencies and illness.
- 4. A term project designed to apply The Constitution to a
congregational setting.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology
(MIN 6).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes. Multiple-choice and essay questions, open-book.