MN520/620: Introduction to Urban Mission (4 units)

Jude Tiersma Watson, Associate Professor of Urban Mission
Ken Gates, Adjunct Instructor in Urban Mission
Spring 2006 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

We live in a rapidly urbanizing world. We need to move toward understanding our increasingly urban world, as well as understanding our own responses and fears as we encounter this world. This course explores these dynamics, as well as various themes related to urban mission: what can we learn from the history of the church's relationship to the city, the importance of narrative in urban evangelism, moving beyond charity in our relationship with the poor; gentrification with justice; leadership in the city; approaches to community transformation; and the relationship between globalization and urbanization.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Develop increased understanding that ministry is the work of God in and through us.
• Think missiologically in various urban contexts.
• Ability to creatively apply missiological reflection to mission praxis with reference to the student's focus of ministry.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will meet for three-hour sessions once weekly for ten weeks. Class sessions will feature lecture presentations, storytelling, group discussions, visiting persons, and one visit to Los Angeles. All students will participate in at least one field experience.

REQUIRED READING: Total: 1200-1500 pages of reading. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

Davey, Andrew, Urban Christianity and Global Order: Theological Resources for an Urban Future. 2002.
Gornick, Mark To Live In Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Eerdmans. 2002.
Law, Eric. The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community. Chalice Press.
Lupton, Robert. Renewing the City. Intervarsity Press, 2005.
One book specific to student’s context.
Readings from reader and from magazines, journals, and recommended list.

RECOMMENDED READING:

.Bakke, Ray. A Theology as Big as the City. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Conn , Harvie and Manuel Ortiz. Urban Ministry. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Gulick, John. The Humanity of Cities: An Introduction to Urban Societies. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey, 1989.
Kozol, Jonathan. Ordinary Resurrections. Crown Publisher, 2000.
Martinez, Ruben. Crossing Over. Picador, 2001.
Perkins, John, ed. Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together and Doing It Right. Baker, 1996.
Rodriquez, Luis. Hearts and Hands: Making Peace in Violent Times.
Tiersma & Van Engen, eds. God So Loves The City. MARC, 1994.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Annotated Bibliography of completed reading, two reflection papers, and a major project on a significant issue in urban ministry.
• Th.M. students: Read and report on two extra books related to urban mission in your context.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Foundational Core Course for the Urban Mission Concentration in the School of Intercultural Studies. Meets Min8 requirement in the School of Theology M.Div. program. Meets Globalization requirement for M.A. Theology Program.

RELATIONSHIP TO SPIRITUAL FORMATION:

An assumption of this course is that spiritual formation must be an essential component of mission in the city. The course will explore ways of seeking God amidst the noise and suffering of the city.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: January 9, 2006