DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to identify and develop the central themes related to the practice of ministry. In this course, ministry is understood in its broadest New Testament sense as the service of the gospel, and therefore, as covering ordained and lay ministry, ministry in the church, and ministry in the world. Each student will be expected to work with these themes in ways that fit his or her own context and call. The focus in the fall quarter will be upon congregational formation, specifically the initiation and ongoing reformation of a church as a spiritual, social, located missional people. The skill of theological interpretation will be introduced. In the small groups the nature of call/vocation will be considered.

The course will attempt to: (1) develop a deepened understanding of the nature of ministry from a missional church perspective, (2) build community between students so as to enhance understanding of the practice of ministry, (3) explore the question of a call to ministry.

This course is the first part of a three-part course that is spread over the academic year. Students are advised to begin the series in the fall, but may begin in any quarter (except summer); the sequence must be completed within three quarters (GM 503, 504, and 505). Each quarter will contain the following components: three plenary seminar sessions (taught by various faculty members), seven small group meetings, and reading/reflection. Students must register and attend either the morning or the evening section each quarter but can chose the other section for another quarter. However, students must choose a time-of-day for their small group and remain in the assigned group throughout the three quarters. Plenary sessions for this section will meet on three Thursday evenings: September 27, November 1, and November 29.

Hauerwas, S. and W. Willimon. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Nashville: Abingdon, 1989

Peace, Richard. Course Reader for GM 503.

1. Regular attendance and participation in all seminars (25%) and small groups (25%).

2. Read text and Reader (20%).

3. Write a church autobiography with theological reflection (5 pages; 20%).

4. Reflection paper on the small group experience (2 pages; 10%).

None, but it is to be taken as part of the three-quarter sequence.

When completed along with GM504 and GM505, this meets M. Div. core requirement in General Ministry (MIN1) or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MINF) for other master's degrees.

None.