MM500/600: Spirituality and Mission (4 units)

Jude Tiersma Watson, Associate Professor of Urban Mission
Fall 2006 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

This course will help students develop an approach to their spiritual life that integrates their spirituality with their missional activities. A narrative approach will be introduced that will integrate the student’s own pilgrimage, scripture, and the cultural context. Students will think through their own pilgrimage as a way to share their faith with others.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will develop a sustainable and foundational approach to spirituality and mission.
Students will understand how to sensitively share their faith.
Students will be challenged to think cross-culturally about spirituality and mission.

 

COURSE FORMAT:  This class will meet once weekly for three-hour sessions.  Class format will use a variety of approaches -- lecture, storytelling, video clips, class discussion and small groups.

 

REQUIRED READING (for a total of 1200 pages):  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.

Foster, Richard. Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith. Harper: SF 2001.

Nouwen, el al, Compassion: a Reflection on the Christian Life. Image Books, 1982.

OR: Claiborne, Shane, Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. Zondervan, 2006.

Tutu, Desmond, No Future Without Forgiveness. Doubleday, 2000.
Wright, N.T. The Lord and His Prayer. Eerdmans.
Reader, including a variety of cultural perspectives.

 

RECOMMENED READING:

Foster, Richard. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. Harper San Francisco, 1992.

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy.

Mother Teresa. Contemplative in the Heart of the World.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Four journal reflection papers, 500 words each

2. 1200 pages of reading

3. Two 1750-2000 word papers:

Paper reflecting on the student’s spiritual pilgrimage, and how their story can be used in witness.

Final paper on a topic relating spirituality and mission

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required course for MACCS; meets spirituality requirement for MAT.

 

FINAL EXAM: None.

 

Last Date Edited: July 13, 2006