MC/SF 501 Spiritual Formation for Ministry

Transcription

1 MC/SF 501 Spiritual Formation for Ministry Praise - Photo by Michael Swan from Flickr (Creative Commons License 2.0 CC BY 2.0) Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come" Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:9-11, NIV

2 MC/SF 501 Spiritual Formation for Ministry Gwenfair Walters Adams, Ph.D. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Fall Semester, Hamilton Campus Class meetings: Tuesdays, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Office Hours: given in class Office: Goddard Library 115; given in class Course Description Spiritual Formation for Ministry is an introductory course that prepares Christian pastors and other leaders to grow in their own devotional life with Christ, to deepen their worship of God, and to help others do the same. The course is multi-disciplinary, including biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, experiential, and literary approaches. Spiritual formation involves growing in love for and worship of the Triune God, conforming to the image of Christ, and experiencing intimacy with Him. It is made possible by the atonement of Christ, enacted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and done to the glory of the Father, for the joy of the Church and witness to the World. This course will examine twelve key models of spiritual formation, analyzing their theological foundations, organizing principles, structures, and themes, and will study selected related issues in the devotional life. It will combine theory and praxis as it explores corporate worship, individual devotional life, and character transformation. We will explore questions such as whether formation is meant to be done in community or alone. What are the building blocks of worship? What are spiritual disciplines and should we be engaging in them? What is prayer? How do we gain traction in character formation and dealing with sin? How can the Psalms enrich worship and devotion? How should we approach Scripture? What are sacraments, and what are the theologies behind the various approaches to the Eucharist/Lord s Supper? Does the Sabbath still apply? Is simplicity a biblical value? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in transformation, and how do we discern if he is at work in a given situation? How do suffering and spirituality relate? How should worship, culture, and evangelism interplay? Spiritual Formation for Ministry meets the Spiritual Formation requirement for the M.Div. degree. Students with previous coursework or extensive experience in Spiritual Formation may petition Dr. Adams to substitute Dynamics of Spiritual Life for their Spiritual Formation course. MC/SF501 focuses on worship, the devotional life, and character formation; MC/SF/CH591 focuses on the Christian life, vocational identity, character formation, etc. Course Objectives: 1. To explore key historical models of spiritual formation, learning to identify the organizing principles and theories of the atonement behind various forms of worship and formation. And to study the integration of theological paradigms, epistemological premises, worship structures, spiritual disciplines, and character formation. 2

3 2. To encourage students to reflect biblically, theologically, historically, and pastorally on the purposes and structures of worship, devotional life, and character transformation. 3. To develop and articulate an integrated, theologically grounded, coherent model of spiritual formation for use in one s future ministry. 4. To provide for the possibility of a deeper understanding and practice of worship both as an individual and for effective leading of corporate worship. 5. To examine key issues in deepening one s devotional life with Christ. 6. To gain understanding about one s own spiritual makeup and challenges. 7. To model creative teaching methodologies for a variety of age groups, learning styles, and ministry contexts. Class Schedule (Subject to change as necessary): September 12 Introduction September 19 Spiritual Design Elements of Worship: Shadows of the Good Things (OT) September 26 Spiritual Disciplines: The Discipler s Disciplines (Case Study: The Gospels) Community: Worshipping as the Bride (NT; Early Church) October 3 Prayer: The Interchange Between Heaven and Earth (Case Study: Eastern Orthodoxy) October 10 NO CLASS (Reading Week) October 17 The Psalms: Psalter-Centricity (Case Study: Medieval Monasticism) October 24 Facing Sin: Gaining Traction in Character Formation (Case Studies: Medieval Spirituality; Wesleyan Band Societies) October 31 Sacraments: (Case Study: The Medieval Mass; Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Book of Common Prayer) November 7 NO CLASS (Reading Week) November 14 The Scriptures: The Transforming Power of the Word (Case Studies: The Reformation; Jim Elliot) November 21 Sabbath Rest and Simplicity (Case Study: American Puritans) November 28 The Holy Spirit, Transformation & Discernment (Case Study: Welsh Revival) December 5 Suffering and Spirituality: Joy in the Sanctuary (Case Study: African-American) December 12 Worship, Evangelism, and Spiritual Formation (Seeker Sensitivity, Emerging Church, and Globalization) Required Texts (1500 pages total from the following list, including the specified minimums): 3

4 1. Simon Chan, Spiritual Theology (InterVarsity Press, 2008) ISBN pages Read as an introduction to spiritual formation and as a conversation partner in developing your Spiritual Formation Model. 2. Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith, eds., Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups (Harper SanFrancisco, rev., 2005) $10.99 at gcts.christianbook.com. See the chart below for which sections need to be read in advance of which class sessions. This is best read one chapter at a time, perhaps even as part of your daily devotional time. 3. Pete Scazerro, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Zondervan, 2014) ISBN pages An example of a pastor developing a model of Spiritual Formation for his church. Using the Spiritual Formation Model Analysis chart presented in class, analyze the model. What are its strengths? What might you adopt for your own personal Spiritual Design paper devotional plan and/or for your Spiritual Formation Model paper? Where might you make modifications? 4. Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life (InterVarsity Press, 1979) Read at least 100 pages, as a conversation partner in developing your Spiritual Formation Model. 5. NIV Bible $4.99 at gcts.christianbook.com. Please purchase a Bible that you can underline and highlight for use as a Spiritual Formation study Bible. Please bring it to each class session. a. In advance of class on Spiritual Disciplines, please skim/read through the Gospels underlining/highlighting references that answers the question: What spiritual disciplines did Jesus practice? b. In advance of class session on the Psalter as spiritual discipline, please skim/read the Psalms to discover what they model and teach about spiritual formation. 6. Bard Thompson, Liturgies of the Western Church (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1961) For use in class. Also use as a reference for your Spiritual Formation Model paper. 7. Choose one (or more) of the following to purchase and bring to the relevant lecture, but read at least the specified pages in all three: a. Elisabeth Elliot, ed., Journals of Jim Elliot (Baker Books, 2002) - $14.99 at gcts.christianbook.com Read at least 50 pages (pages specified on CAMS); please bring to class on The Scriptures. b. Diana Hayes, Forged in the Fiery Furnace: African American Spirituality (Orbis Books, 2012) $19.80 on gcts.christianbook.com Read at least 50 (pages specified on CAMS) of the 232 pages for class on African-American model c. Lauren Winner, Girl Meets God (Shaw Books, 2004) read at least the 50 specified pages (listed on CAMS), analyzing the impact of liturgy and the church calendar on spiritual formation not in print available secondhand or on kindle for $9.99 for class on Sacraments Recommended texts: 4

5 1. Adele Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (InterVarsity Press, 2005) $11.99 on gcts.christianbook.com 293 pages You may find this helpful for planning your Soul Sabbath day. 2. Worship and Mission for the Global Church (William Carey Library, 2013) $33.74 on gcts.christianbook.com 3. Eugene H. Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places (Eerdmans, 2008) ISBN pages 5

6 Class Session Introduction Spiritual Design Elements of Worship Spiritual Disciplines Community Prayer The Psalms Facing Sin Sacraments Scriptures Sabbath Rest and Simplicity Holy Spirit, Transformation, and Discernment Suffering and Spirituality Worship, Evangelism, and Spiritual Formation For Spiritual Formation Model paper Reading Skim/read the Gospels what do we learn about Christ s practice of and teachings about spiritual disciplines? Bring to class: Liturgies of the Western Church The Prayer-Filled Life (The Contemplative Tradition), Devotional Classics, pp Skim/read the Psalms what do the Psalms model and teach about spiritual formation? The Virtuous Life (The Holiness Tradition), Devotional Classics, pp The Sacramental Life, Devotional Classics, pp Lauren Winner, Girl Meets God pages specified on CAMS Bring to class: Liturgies of the Western Church The Word-Centered Life, Devotional Classics, pp Journals of Jim Elliot, pages specified on CAMS. Preparing for the Spiritual Life, Devotional Classics, pp The Spirit-Empowered Life (The Charismatic Tradition), Devotional Classics, pp The Compassionate Life (The Social Justice Tradition), Devotional Classics, pp Hayes, Forged in the Fiery Furnace (pages specified on CAMS) Pete Scazerro, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality case study of contemporary pastor s model of Spiritual Formation All of the above plus: Simon Chan, Spiritual Theology Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life Optional: Adele Calhoun, Spiritual 6

7 For Retreat Disciplines Handbook Optional: Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in 10,000 Places Bible Optional: Adele Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook Estimated Hours: In class 36 Reading 44 Small Group OR attend worship services OR fixed hour prayer 6 Spiritual Design paper 13 Soul Sabbath 8 Bible highlighting 5 Spiritual Formation Model paper 23 TOTAL HOURS 135 Requirements: 1. Spiritual Formation Model Paper (40%; pages) Due on final day for written work (in the box outside my office). More guidelines will be given in class. The grade for this paper will be averaged with the Spiritual Design paper, with the Spiritual Formation Model paper counting twice as much as the Spiritual Design paper. The resulting average will be the final grade for the course, if all the rest of the work for the course has been completed fully. 2. Spiritual Design Paper (20%; pages) Due on final date for written work guidelines will be provided in class 3. Reading pages (15%) Read at least 1300 pages from the required textbooks (not including the Bible reading). Submit annotated bibliography with total number of pages indicated at the bottom of the list. (Due on the final day for written work, in the box outside the professor s office). If this assignment is not completed fully, the course grade will drop by increments. For example, if the Model and Design papers result in an A, the grade will be dropped according to the following: 100 % (A to A = no change) 75-99% (A to A- = 1/3 grade drop) 50-74% (A to B+ = 2/3 grade drop) 25-49% (A to B = 1 grade drop) Below 25 % (A to B- = 1 1/3 grade drop) 4. Choose one of the following Application Assignments (due on the final day for written work) (15%): 7

8 a. Small Group Application Assignment (15%): Meet with at least 4 other students for at least 5 sessions of at least one hour each. More details will be given in class. Out of respect to the others in your group, please attend all 5 sessions. Write a 1-2 page analysis of the experience. Each of the five sessions is worth 2 points, and the analysis is worth 5 points. OR b. Fixed Hour Prayer assignment (15%) Incorporate fixed hour prayer into your life for two weeks, averaging at least half an hour each day (broken down into at least 3 segments at fixed hours) for 10 days. Write a 1-3 page reflection paper analyzing your experience with it. If this assignment is not completed fully, the course grade will drop one point for each day less than 10, and 5 points if the reflection paper is not completed. For example, if step #3 above resulted in an A, the course grade would be reduced to a B+ if you completed the paper but were to do only 3 days of fixed hour prayer. OR c. Worship Application assignment Keep a log of how you spend the hours and attend three or more worship services at churches that are in styles of worship with which you are unfamiliar (for example, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic mass, seeker sensitive, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, African American, non-denominational, mega-church, multi-ethnic, etc.) Write a 2-3 page analysis of your experiences, assessing the implications for your future ministry. Due on final day for written work (in the box outside professor s office). If this assignment is not completed fully, the course grade will drop by increments. For example, if step #3 resulted in an A, the final grade will be dropped according to the following: 3 or more services & analysis (A to A = no change) 2 services & analysis (A to A- = 1/3 grade drop) 1 service & analysis (A to B+ = 2/3 grade drop) 0 services (A to B = 1 grade drop) No 2-3 page analysis ( further 1/3 grade drop) 5. Soul Sabbath retreat. (10%) Attend a Soul Sabbath retreat (directed by the Pierce Center). Write a 1-3 page reflection paper on your experience. If completed fully, this assignment will be worth 10 points towards your final grade. You must register for the Soul Sabbath at least two weeks in advance or you will not be able to attend it, for the sisters of Notre Dame need to be able to plan in advance. See Friday A.M. for the link to register for the Soul Sabbath. Final Due Dates for all assignments: All assignments are due on the final day for written work (date set by Registrar) by 4:00 p.m. If you need an extension beyond that date, please contact the Registrars' office before the deadline. Please place all work, in hard copy, in the box outside the professor s office. 8

9 Grading Scale The grading scale for the Spiritual Formation Model and Spiritual Design papers is the one in the GCTS Student Handbook. Please note that the scale indicates that excellent work is in the B range and that the A range requires going beyond expectations, to conspicuous excellence : "Grade A is given for meeting with conspicuous excellence the demands which can fairly be made in relation to the requirements of the course. These demands would normally include unusual accuracy in fact, completeness in detail, perfection in form of work, independence of method, grasp of the subject as a whole and constructive imagination. Grade B is given for exceeding the minimum of satisfactory attainment and for meeting certain aspects of the course with excellence. Grade C is given for attaining satisfactory familiarity with the course and for demonstrating at least some ability to use this knowledge in a satisfactory manner. Grade D is a passing mark but indicates unsatisfactory control over the material. Grade F declares that the course has been failed." Grading Percentages: Spiritual Design paper 20% Reading 15% Model of SF Paper 40% Application & Analysis 15% Soul Sabbath & Analysis 10% Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense at GCTS. See for the seminary s policy. And please follow guidelines at Extensions must be requested from the Registrar before the final day for written work. Class attendance may be taken into account in the grading, with 1 point (3 points is the equivalent of an A being reduced to A-, for example) being deducted from the final class grade for each unexcused absence of 2 hours. Three or more such absences may result in failure of the class. Official auditors and those taking the course pass/fail must attend at least 75% of class sessions. Intellectual Property / Privacy Rights: To protect the professor s intellectual property rights with regard to classroom content and to protect the privacy of the professor and other students, students are required to refrain from audio, photographic, and video recording of classes, as well as audio, video, photographic, and written publication (including internet posting and broadcasting) or live transmission of classroom proceedings, except for with written permission from the professor. This paragraph applies to all visitors and auditors as well. Internet Usage: In order to foster focused attention, learning, and community, students are required to refrain from accessing the internet or playing computer/cell phone games, etc. at any point during class sessions, unless otherwise instructed by the professor. Surfing the web, checking , and other internet-based activities are distracting to 9

10 other students and to the professor, and prevent the student from fully participating in the class sessions. This paragraph applies to all visitors and auditors as well. 10