GM578
Torres

GM578: THE LATINO URBAN CHURCH. Enrique Torres.


DESCRIPTION:

A christological/sociological analysis of the urban milieu in order to create an awareness of the realities and needs of the Hispanic community. With the above platform, we will discover the roles of the Hispanic church in effective social changes--including some roles of the Hispanic churchmen and churchwomen and congregations as change agents. A significant part of the course will be to engage the student in identifying and studying ways of effective social change, plus actual projects in which the student will act as an agent for change in the area of his or her interest.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
  1. To understand the importance of an applied sociological reading of the Hispanic community with a Christ (christological) centered context.

  2. To better understand that my "parish" is my church in the community. To discover conflicts and avenues to solve the problem, where the pastor becomes an agent for change.

  3. To obtain means in how to influence the leader in power with the decision making faculties.

  4. To make our new pastors better equipped for a more effective and faithful ministry among the Hispanic community.

COURSE FORMAT:
The class will meet two consecutive weeks, meeting daily for four hours of lecture, discussion, presentations, and field trips.

REQUIRED READING:
Acuña, Rodolfo. Occupied America. Harper, 1988.

Gonzalez, Justo. Voces: Voices From the Hispanic Church. Abingdon, 1991.

Greenway, Roger. Discipling the City. Baker, 1992.

Klein, Norman N. and Martin J. Schiesl, eds. 20th Century Los Angeles: Power, Promotion, and Social Conflict. Regina Books, 1990.

Ortiz, Manuel. The Hispanic Challenge. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Lockward, Alonso. La Responsabilidad Social del Creyente. Editorial Unilit, 1994.

Martinez, José Luis. Los Evangélicos y la Política. CBP, 1996

Simarro, Juan. Cristianos Ante la Pobreza. Spanish House, 1995.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Regular readings and quizzes.

  2. A visit to the Los Angeles City Hall (Possibly an interview with the mayor).

  3. A joint project will be done. Each student will have an equal and significant contribution to the project. The title of the project will be "The Hispanic Urban Church in Ministry." Each student will write a minimum of fifteen pages in the chapter selected in relation to the above project.

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets M.Div. core requirement in Missions (MIN 8).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Yes.