DP505
Sperry
DP505: PRESBYTERIAN POLITY AND WORSHIP. Jan Sperry.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to give students preparing for ordination
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) a thorough knowledge of the polity of the
PCUSA as contained in its Constitution. The course will assist students
preparing for the Standard Ordination Examinations in Polity and Worship. Time
will also be spent covering the basics of parliamentary procedure as used in
the PCUSA.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- A working understanding of Presbyterian Polity is required for
ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Polity is integral to one's
functioning effectively as an ordained Presbyterian minister both in the local
congregation and throughout the governing bodies of the church. This course is
designed to enable the students to identify polity issues, and become aware of
the implications of polity for one's decisions and functioning in the life of
the church.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will meet each evening for two weeks, Monday-Friday, for
four-hour sessions for lectures and discussion. Case studies will be used
regularly.
REQUIRED READING:
- The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.).
- The Book of Confessions.
- The Book of Order, 1997--98.
- 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:
- Regular reading assignments.
- Regular reading and readiness to discuss in class the course syllabus
cases.
- Periodic exams designed similar to the Standard Ordination Exams. Make-up
exams may be arranged only for emergencies and illness.
- 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.