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Canyon College

online practical aspects of ministry course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Practical Aspects of Ministry


Course Title:
Department:
Instructor:
Prerequisites: 		DV480 - Practical Aspects of Ministry
Bachelor of Divinity
Rev. Dr. Gerald M. FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, PhD TH (Candidate), E-Mail Vita
None


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course is an introduction into the foundational issues of parish ministry. In other words, whereas some of our other courses have concerned themselves with the "being" of ministry, this course maps out the terrain of "doing" ministry. Emphasis will be placed upon the dynamics of church administration and worship and being effective and faithful stewards of the resources which God has placed before us. We will also look at some of the problems which are sure to arise in everyday ministry and develop some strategies for dealing with them. We will also look at some of the particular challenges and opportunities presented by small churches.

Students, by the end of the course, should acquire an understanding of the dynamics of church administration and worship and begin to develop a working model for both of these key elements of their local congregations. Students should also acquire some tools which they can employ to help them to identify problems and to develop strategies to deal with them.

To get the greatest benefit from this course, students should be participating in a local faith community.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Canyon College is a non- sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would suggest that we write, "God wills that everyone obeys God's will."

REQUIREMENTS
  1. Readings. The required texts are: Online Bookstore
  1. Callahan, Kennon L., "Twelve Keys to an Effective Church," hardcover, HarperSan Francisco. ("Callahan"), 1997. ISBN: 0787938718
  2. Pappas, Anthony, "Money, Motivation, and Mission in the Small Church," softcover, Judson Press. ("Pappas"), 1989. ISBN: 0817011463
  3. Halverstadt, Hugh F., "Managing Church Conflict," softcover, Westminister/John Knox Press. ("Halverstadt"), 1992. ISBN: 0664251854
  4. Burt, Steve, "Activating Leadership in the Small Church," softcover, Judson Press. ("Burt"), 1988. ISBN: 0817010998
  5. Schuller, David S., ed., "Rethinking Christian Education," softcover, Chalice Press. ("Schuller"), 1993. ASIN: 0827232136 This book is out of print; however, new and used copies are available at Amazon.com
  1. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet Conferences with the professor by sending an e-mail to the professor with a proposed date and time and the reason for the conference. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.
  2. Exams. There will be two exams: a mid-term examination which must be taken by the end of the third week and a comprehensive final examination which must be taken by the end of the sixth week. The exams will cover the assigned readings.
  3. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words, and no more than five single-spaced pages, due at the end of each week=s readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. The papers should conform to the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian's, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
  1. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam 		30%
30%
40%
  1. Grading Scale.
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% or below 		A - Excellent
B - Above Average
C - Average
D - Below Average
F - Failing Grade


A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.
WEEK 1

Read Callahan Introduction and Chapters 1-6.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you reflect on your own congregation and how it might compare to the first six chapters of Callahan's book. How does it measure up to the specific guidelines set forth by Callahan? Where are there weaknesses? Strengths? Where do changes need to be made?

If you are not part of a local congregation, then attend a worship service of a denomination or congregation other than your own faith tradition. Write a paper in which you evaluate the worship service and building based on the criteria suggested by Callahan. How did you feel as you approached the building? As you entered? Did you understand what was happening at each stage of the service? Had this been your first time attending a religious service, would you have known what it was? Why or why not?

WEEK 2

Read Callahan Chapters 7-12 and the Conclusion.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you rate your local church using the charts on pages 71, 88, 77, 85, 94, 105, and 116. What is the result of this analysis? What changes do you need to make? How might you go about making such changes?

If you are not involved in a local congregation, then this is a good time to do so. You will need to secure the trust of a local minister to allow you access to the information required to complete this assignment.

WEEK 3

Read all of Schuller.

Discussion Questions:
Write a paper in which you discuss Schuller's book in the context of your own conceptions about Christian Education. Are there parts of Schuller's book with which you disagree? Why? Will you make any changes in your thinking about Christian Education after reading this book? Why or why not? Discuss the approach to Christian Education within the congregation you attend.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE MID-TERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

WEEK 4

Read all of Halverstadt.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What is the root meaning of the word "conflict"?
  2. What is reconciliation? What two references do we find in the New Testament?
  3. According to Matthew 18, what is the process for confronting someone who has sinned against you?
  4. How might generational differences cause conflict within a congregation? How can you as leader deal with such conflict?
  5. Describe Halverstadt's understanding of Shalom.
  6. What are three constraining strategies? When and why would you use each of them?
  7. What are the four behavioral criteria which Halverstadt says are required to "speak the truth in love"?
WEEK 5

Read all of Pappas.

Discussion Questions:
  1. How is stewardship different in a small church from a larger church?
  2. Discuss budgeting in a small church. When might a budget be needed? When not?
  3. What is the secret nature of a small church? Why is it important?
  4. Discuss the nine strategies for fund-raising in the small church.
WEEK 6

Read all of Burt.

Discussion Questions:
Write a book report on Burt's book.

REMINDER: THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE TAKEN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.