MC500/600: Church in
Mission (4 units)
Ryan Bolger, Assistant Professor of Church in Contemporary
Culture
Winter
2007 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
In
this course, we connect the disciplines of ecclesiology and missiology through
an emphasis on the gospel of the kingdom. We explore both the life of Jesus and
that of the earliest Christian communities, examining their interactions with
the surrounding cultures. Moving to the present, we map various Western and
non-Western Christian communities in light of our understanding of the kingdom
of God. In sum, each student will receive tools that might facilitate the
transformation of existing congregations or the creation of new faith
communities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
•
Develop a strong understanding of Jesus and his announcement of the kingdom of
God.
• Explore the relationship of the kingdom of God to the church.
• Identify the characteristics of kingdom-like churches.
• Create plan s for congregations to embody the kingdom of God.
COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice a
week for ten weeks. Class will feature lectures, discussions, small groups, and
various forms of media.
REQUIRED
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.
Boff, Leonardo. Ecclesiogenesis:
The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1986, 115
pp.
Fitch, David E. The Great Giveaway.
Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2005, 230pp.
Fuellenbach, John. Church: Community for
the Kingdom, Maryknoll, Orbis, 223pp.
Karkkainen, Veli-Matti. Introduction to
Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical, and Global Perspectives, Downer’s
Grover, Il, IVP, 2002, 233pp.
Lohfink, Gerard. Jesus and Community: The Social Dimension of the Christian Faith.
Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1984, 185pp.
Sider, Ronald J., Philip N. Olson, Heidi Rolland Unruh. Churches that Make a Difference. Grand Rapis, MI: Baker, 2002, 335
pp.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Students will write weekly blog posts
based on the class material.
2. Students will interact with other student blogs.
3. Students will contribute to an online database on missiology and
ecclesiology.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: A required core
competency course in the MA-CCS degree. Meets Min 8 requirement for M.Div.
Program.
FINAL EXAM: None.
Last
Date Edited: October 3, 2006