DMS 510 Shaping Ministry Foundations

Western Seminary

Portland, Oregon

DMS 501 THINKING THEOLOGICALLY ABOUT MINISTRY

Summer Term, May 6-8, 2003

1 Credit Hour

Instructor: Dr. James E. Sweeney

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Ministry must be structured and guided by a sound biblical philosophy; theological presuppositions underlie every activity of ministry. This course will lay the groundwork for the integration of ministry and theology, preparing the students to develop their own philosophy of ministry. The work in this course will introduce you to a process that will culminate in the advanced course, THS 508, Integration of Ministry and Theology.

This course will meet Tuesday through Thursday (May 6-8), 9:00am – 2:50pm.

COURSE GOALS

This course is intended to enable you to:

1. Identify and assess a foundation of biblical premises, values and principles on

which you can build and evaluate a lifetime of ministry.

2. Begin the process of developing your own philosophy of ministry by identifying

and integrating your core ministry values and sound theology.

3. Develop further in terms of the specified M.Div. core outcome #5 (See

Western Catalog, p. 37, for listing of numbered M.Div. Core Outcomes.)

"Know the nature and mission of the church, being able to implement a

biblically-based philosophy of ministry in various contexts and cultures.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

ASSIGNED READING

NOTE: Pre-Course Reading

Prior to the first session, you will be expected to have read “Defining Evangelicalism’s Boundaries in Ministry,” a paper written by the instructor. Instructions on how to download this paper are found at the end of this syllabus.

All other required reading will be in form of handouts provided by the instructor in class. Reading assignments will be made on Tuesday for the Wednesday session, and on Wednesday for the Thursday session. (See the attached Course Schedule for specific reading.) You will be expected to have completed assigned reading and be prepared to interact with it in class. By random selection, students will be asked to present orally in class a brief analysis of each of the required readings on appropriate days.

Required reading handouts:

1. “Integrating Lessons of Life: Toward a Philosophy of Ministry” (Clinton)

2. “Ministry Core Values” (Westing)

3. “Ministry Minus Methods Equals Madness” (Means)

4. “Toward a Biblical View of Call” (Polhill)

5. “Coming to Terms with Technique” (McCullough)

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

Philosophy of Ministry Statement Since our primary purpose will be to think about ministry in terms of its theological foundations, you will prepare a written, tentative statement of your own philosophy of ministry. This paper will

be developed around concepts and principles that are discussed in class. Specific guidelines for the paper will be furnished. The paper is to be submitted no later than May 22 (two weeks after the last course session).

PARTICIPATION IN CLASS SESSIONS

Your contribution to class discussion will be expected, and should be informed by regular and consistent reading assigned. Since we will meet for three days only, your attendance and active participation is a crucial part of the learning experience for all of us. Specifically, contributing questions, personal experiences and perspectives in a ministry-focused course is a significant part of the process.

If it becomes necessary for you to miss any part of a class session during the three days, it will be your responsibility to notify the instructor in advance if possible, and to take responsibility for any missed material. [Note instructor’s email address at top of syllabus.]

EVALUATION/GRADING

Credit and grade for the course will be determined by timelines and quality of written assignments, and by appropriate participation in class sessions, reflecting prior interaction with required reading.

Written work must be printed on 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper, preferably font 12. Attention to quality of expression, grammar and spelling is expected.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING PRE-COURSE READING ASSIGNMENT:

1. Go to the Western Seminary Website (www.westernseminary.edu )

2. On the Western Seminary home page top bar, click on “Get to Know

Western.”

3. Under Academic Programs, click on “Faculty Papers Download.”

4. In Keyword box type Ministry. In Author box type Sweeney.

Then click on Link to File.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Tuesday

9:00 – 10:20 Introduction and Underlying Assumptions

10:20 Break

10:30 – 12:00 Theological Foundations of Ministry

12:00 Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:50 Theological Reflection

Ministry Functions and Forms

1:50 – 2:00 Break

2:00 – 2L50 Ministry Functions and Forms (cont.)

Reading assignments for tomorrow’s session (handouts):

1. “Integrating the Lessons of Life: Toward a Philosophy of Ministry, by

Robert Clinton

2. “Ministry Core Values,” by Harold Westing

3. “Ministry Minus Methods Equals Madness,” by James Means

4. “Toward a Biblical View of Call,” by John Polhill

Wednesday

9:00 – 10:20 What is a philosophy of ministry?

10:20 Break

10:30 – 12:00 How Do I Formulate My Own Philosophy of Ministry?

12:00 Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:50 The Christological Center of Ministry

1:50 Break

2:00 – 2:50 Understanding Your Call to Ministry

Reading assignments for tomorrow’s session (handouts):

1. “Unfinished Business,” by Greg Ogden

2. “Coming to Terms with Technique,” by Don McCullough

Thursday

9:00 – 10:20 Ecclesiology: The Essence of the Church

10:20 Break

10:30 – 12:00 The Church: Organism, Organization or Institution?

Taking the Body Seriously

12:00 Lunch Break

12:45 – 1:50 Tensions in Ministry

Self-Identity: Calling to Servanthood

1:50 Break

2:00 – 2:50 Models: Competing Values and False Gods