Spring 2002/Pasadena
Intensive: April 1-May 3, 2002
DP512
Ellington
DP512: UNITED METHODIST POLITY. William Ellington.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity
of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history, doctrine, and
worship. Subject matter will include: organization of the church at the local,
district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels;
sources of authority within those structures; how the church finds expression
through its structures; privileges and responsibilities of the connectional
system; ordination and the various forms of ministry; recent trends in
legislation; how leaders are selected; how decisions are made at all levels of
church life; unique theological contribution; relationship to other communions.
In addition, four worship services are analyzed and prepared.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- See course description. This course is required by the United
Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry for ordination, and
prepares the participant for ordination examinations and for the local church
pastorate.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course is a five-week intensive meeting from April 1 to May 3.
The class will meet twice a week for three-hour sessions consisting of
lectures, class discussion, and reporting on research.
REQUIRED READING:
- Frank, Thomas Edward. Polity, Practice, and Mission of the
United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 1997.
- Rowe, Kenneth E. United Methodist Studies: Basic Bibliographies.
Abingdon Press, 1998.
- The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. United
Methodist Publishing House, 2000.
- The United Methodist Book of Worship. United Methodist Publishing
House, 2000.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Easum, William M. How to Reach the Baby Boomers. Abingdon
Press, 1991.
- __________. The Church Growth Handbook. Abingdon Press, 1990.
- The Book of Resolution of the United Methodist Church. United
Methodist Publishing House, 2000.
- The United Methodist Hymnal. United Methodist Publishing House,
1989.
- Willimon, William H. and Andy Langford. A New Connection: Reforming the
United Methodist Church. Abingdon Press, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Regular reading from the textbook and Book of Discipline;
papers as assigned and a required final project.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology
(MIN6). Satisfies requirement of United Methodist Annual Conference for
admission and ordination.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.