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Canyon College

online Ecclesiology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS:  ECCLESIOLOGY

Course Title: DV570 - Ecclesiology
Department: Master of Divinity
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: None


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

Martin Luther, in his seminal work On the Councils and the Church, set forth seven distinguishing "marks" of the Christian church: preaching and hearing the word of God, the sacraments of baptism and the altar, the office of the keys of ministry, proper public worship, and the bearing of the cross. Throughout the course of study for the Divinity Degree, each of these marks is explored, although given the accelerated nature of our study it is done in a rather summary fashion. We continue our journey here as we look at the nature and development of the Christian church and its interaction with contemporary society. Our main focus here will be the keys of ministry. By the end of this course, students should be equipped to think critically about the Christian church and have expanded their toolbox of ministry with tools which can assist them in their own faithful stewardship of God's house and people.

DOCTRINAL STATMENT 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 require us to write, "God wills that everyone obeys God’s will."

REQUIREMENTS

1. Readings. The required texts are:   Online Bookstore
A. Brown, Raymond E., et al, eds., "The New Jerome Biblical Commentary," hardcover, Prentice Hall, 1990. ISBN: 0136149340

B. Callahan, Kennon L., et al, "Twelve Keys to an Effective Church," hardcover, Harper San Francisco, 1983, (Jossey-Bass, 1997) ISBN: 0787938718

C. Cosgrove, Charles H. & Dennis D. Hatfield, "Church Conflict: The Hidden Systems Behind the Fights," soft-cover, Abingdon Press, 1994. ISBN: 0687081521

D. Meeks, Blair Gilmer, ed., "The Landscape of Praise," soft-cover, Trinity Press Intl., 1996. ISBN: 1563381559

E. Richardson, Ronald W., "Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life," soft-cover, Fortress Press, 1996, (Augsburg Fortress, 2000). ISBN: 0800629558

F. Williamson, Clark M. & Ronald J. Allen, "The Teaching Minister," soft-cover, Westminster John Knox Press (PPC), 1991. ISBN: 0664251749
It is acknowledged that the reading list is long. However, these books will be required throughout students’ studies and should occupy a prominent place in the library of their work lives. The readings are also appropriate for a master’s level course.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no more than two single- spaced pages or 1,250 words, 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. Please DO NOT send the papers as attachments. 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.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:

Papers 20%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 50%
6. Grading Scale.

90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below 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 Brown pages 1338-1353. Read all of Williamson & Allen.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What denomination are you a member of?
  2. You have been asked to make a presentation on the history of your denomination. Write an outline of this history talk.
  3. What church are you a member of?
  4. Write a summary of the organization/polity of your church.
  5. What is the difference between a church and a synagogue?

WEEK 2

Read all of Callahan.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Write an analysis of your church using the twelve categories outlined by Callahan. If you are not a member of a church, then do the analysis of a church with which you are familiar.

WEEK 3

Read Cosgrove & Hatfield pages 1-100 and 123-176.

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

WEEK 4

Read Richardson pages 11-100. Read the Book of Acts.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Answer the Group Discussion questions at the end of Chapter 5 on pages 78- 79.
  2. How did the church worship in Acts?

WEEK 5

Read Richardson pages 101-183. Read Meeks pages 1-10.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Answer the questions on pages 167-69 of Richardson, questions 1-15.

WEEK 6

Read Meeks pages 11-38; 44-61; 152-182; 242-267; and 279-328.

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