PMN 574 ASSIMILATION AND INVOLEMENT OF MEMBERS Spring, 2014 3 Hours Thurs Evenings MAR Dr. David Roadcup Office - lower level of the Crouch Hall (513-244-8184) Home 859-525-0535 David.roadcup@ccuniversity.edu Class Schedule Dates: All Thurs evenings January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27. Class times: 6:00 p.m. 10:15 p.m. **Please note!!! Your first paper, the Pre-course Church Analysis Listing is due our second evening of class, Thursday, Jan. 9 th. Course Description This course is designed to teach the student how to implement the Scriptural guidelines for assimilating, nurturing, shepherding and developing the spiritual lives, talents, gifts of the members of the body of Christ to produce an every-member ministry and growth environment. Course Rationale A healthy church is a church where the members are growing spiritually. They are also growing in the understanding of their role as members of Christ s Body. As members grow in their understanding of the critical nature of the use of their gifts and personal involvement, the entire church will be strengthened, gain depth and be enabled to do their part in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Course Objectives As a result of this class, students should be able to: 1. Understand the critical need for Christians to be challenged to become part of the mobilized Body of Christ, completing His will and work in today s world. 2. Understand the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers as it relates to the ministry of every member of the Church. 3. Grasp the concept of member-oriented ministry and its benefits versus a minister- or staff-oriented ministry approach as it relates to achieving ministry results. 4. Understand the various aspects and components of building a ministry which will grow people in their spiritual lives and personal involvement. 5. Lead in the transforming of a dysfunctional church in the area of assimilation so as to create new life, health and involvement through the principles discussed in class. PMN 574 Roadcup 1
Textbooks 1. Nelson Searcy, Ignite, Baker 2. Nelson Searcy, Fusion, Regal 3. Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, Move, Zondervan Other Critical Works Available (Not required by highly recommended) 4. Greg Ogden, Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God, Zondervan 5. Ray Fulenwider, The Servant-Driven Church: Releasing Every Member for Ministry, College Press 6. Rick Rusaw, The Externally Focused Church, College Press 7. Mark Waltz, Lasting Impressions, Group 8. Bobbie Reed and John Westfall, Building Strong People, Wipf and Stock Pub. 9. Wayne Cordeiro, Doing Church As A Team, Regal Course Requirements 1. Attendance and Participation Students are expected to attend all class sessions and take careful notes on course content. A total of 6 one-hour absences are allowed for legitimate reasons. When absences exceed the allowed number, students are automatically dropped from the class. 2. Pre-course Church Analysis Listing Students are to analyze the assimilation ministry of a specific church. It can be the church where you are serving or presently attending. Simply make a bullet list and give a brief description of every ministry, approach or plan the church now has in operation to assimilate and grow members. Paper would be 2-4 pages in length. 3. Reading Assignments - Each of the three textbooks for the course must be thoroughly read. Reports are to be turned in on the due dates assigned. A typed, one and a half paged (single-spaced) report is to be prepared using the following guidelines: First Half Page the first half-page presents the burden or message of the book. The message should be stated in terms sympathetic to the author and without explicit or implicit critique. Second Half Page the second half-page presents an evaluation of the book. Identify the strong points of the material (what did you like about it?), the weaknesses you observed and why these strengths and weaknesses are important for our consideration. Third Half Page the third half page is given to reflection on the book. What lessons can we learn from this author? What are the most helpful things in the book PMN 574 Roadcup 2
for you? How have you changed personally as a result of reading this book? How can the contents of this book help in your ministry? Note! Do not rehearse or restate the outline or contents of the book. The purpose of the assignment is to interact with and apply the contents of the book to your understanding of Assimilation and your ministry. 4. Course Integration Paper the final course project is to be a research, analysis and report project. The purpose of the project is to do a thorough analysis of the assimilation ministry of the church where you are presently serving, your home church or the church where you now attend as a member. This paper should be produced from a compilation of your class reading, outside sources, personal observations, interviews and course lectures and discussion. You are to prepare a plan for an overall assimilation approach for the church that may possibly be presented to the leadership of the church. Describe how that ministry would be organized. What would an excellent assimilation ministry accomplish? The nature of this paper is definitely comprehensive. Please do not pick one facet of the assimilation process and write on that one facet only (leadership, programming, etc). Research is definitely expected from the class reading and footnotes or endnotes should be included from at least 6 additional resources. (Please do not use parenthetical references). Here are critical guidelines which must be followed in the creating of this paper: A. The text of the paper should be 15-pages in length (written text) with bibliography and addenda in addition to that 15 pages of content. B. Papers are to be formatted according to Chicago or Turabian styles. You may also use the formatting guide provided by our Library, which can be downloaded on line. If you use the library s guide, do not use Courier or Courier New as the font for your paper. o Please use Times New Roman and use.12 point font. o All margins are to be one inch. o Use footnotes or endnotes. o Please include a cover sheet with the necessary data. o Please staple the paper in the upper left- hand corner or secure the paper with a metal clip with folding handles. o Do not use a notebook, paper clip or plastic cover. o At the end, include a bibliography of your sources those you used for research and others which you would recommend. 5. Final Exam there will be a final exam over the semester s material. It will be a takehome exam. In the take home exam, no computer work is allowed. Please write the exam by hand. Additional Course Information Grading Scale Preliminary Church Analysis Paper 15% Reading Reports..10% each (total 30%) Research Paper.40% Final Exam..15% PMN 574 Roadcup 3
Late Work Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Late assignments will automatically receive one letter grade off. If work is below an acceptable standard, the assignment may be returned for reworking. All work is due without exception by Monday, March 17 th. Completion of All Assigned Work All assignments must be turned in to receive credit for the class. Submitting Work for Class Please turn in hard copies for all class assignments. No e- papers are accepted. Staple all papers in the upper left hand corner. Please do not use notebooks or covers of any kind on assignments, just staple in the upper left hand corner. Course Disclaimer The professor reserves the right to change or amend any part of this course plan as deemed necessary. IN-CLASS COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES USE - Students who desire to take class notes on computer are encouraged to do so. However, computers are not to be used during class time for accessing the internet, doing email, Facebook, playing video games and other non-class activities. Cell phones, Blackberries and iphones, etc. are to be turned off during class sessions (with the exception of a serious, pending emergency involving church, work or family. If this is the case, please check with the professor before class begins.) No texting or other related activities are allowed during class. Communication with the church office staff, family, individuals and friends should be done at break time and before and after class periods. Any student involved in using electronics during class for anything else other than taking class notes will be excused from class for the remainder of the class session. Repeated use will result in the student s dismissal from the class. ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE - Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological, or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director, Marie Reeves, within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the lower level of the Worship and Ministry Center (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420). CIPRS!!! Anyone wishing to do their CIRP paper connected with this class must contact the professor no later than Thursday, Jan. 17 th for coordination of the project. A date will be assigned for completion. Due Dates: 1. Pre-course Church Analysis Paper Due Thur, Jan 9 th 2. Book Report Nelson Searcy, Ignite, Due Thur, Jan 23 rd 3. Book Report - Nelson Searcy, Fusion, Due Thur. Feb 13 th 4. Book Report - Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, Move - Due Feb. 27 th 5. Research Paper must be postmarked by Monday, March 17 th PMN 574 Roadcup 4
6. Final exam to be postmarked no later than Monday, March 17 th. Please send paper and final exam in the same envelope. You may also bring these assignments to my office on campus by the above dates. Mailing address: David Roadcup CCU 2700 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH 45204 1. Definition of the Concept of Assimilation COURSE OUTLINE 2. The Biblical and Theological Basis for Assimilation a. The Teachings of Jesus b. The Teachings of Paul c. The Teachings of Peter 3. The Importance of the Praxis of Assimilation in the Body of Christ 4. Attraction to the Church: Why People Come, Stay and Leave 5. Supporting Structures for the Execution of the Four Key Experiences A. Understanding the Nature of the Body of Christ B. Developing an Organizational Foundation 1. Preparing and Building the Plan a. Leading and preparing the team 1) Mission Statement 2) Goals 3) Objectives 4) Vision Statement 5) Core Values 6) Member Expectations C. Creating an Organizational Structure 1. Staffing a. Paid staff b. Elders c. Ministry Team Leaders/Deacons who function 2. Developing and Leveraging the Financial Base of the Church a. Leadership Attitudes Towards Finances PMN 574 Roadcup 5
b. Biblical Instruction and Exhortation c. Practical Execution d. Effective Management 3. Developing the Volunteer Core Team a. The Biblical Foundation for the Concept of Volunteers b. Effective Recruiting of Volunteers c. Volunteer Training d. Volunteer Development e. Dismissing Volunteers 4. The Establishment of the Ministry Team System a. Development of Leaders b. Recruiting, Training, Development of Team Members c. The Writing of Ministry Team Ministry Descriptions d. The Execution of the Ministry Team s Work 6. The Four Key Experiences Explanation and Execution A. Assimilation Models from Ellis, George, Schaller and Rainer B. Explanation 1. Delivering Biblical Content and Information for Transformation 2. The Development of Relationships, Community and Fellowship 3. Ministry Involvement and Service 4. Leadership Development C. Execution of each in the Church 7. The Utilization of the Four Key Experiences for Shepherding in the Church A. An Examination of Ineffective Shepherding Methods B. The Most Effective Shepherding Approach - Small Group Ministry C. Attendance Follow-up D. Keeping the Sheep 8. Applying Assimilation Principles to Your Congregation Recommended Reading Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church, Zondervan PMN 574 Roadcup 6
Thom Rainer, The Book of Church Growth, Broadman and Holman Thom Rainer, High Expectations, Broadman and Holman Ralph Neighbour, The Shepherd s Guidebook, Touch Publications Truman Brown and James Hightower, After They Join, Convention Press Joe Ellis, The Church on Purpose, Standard Pub. Lyle Shaller, 44 Steps Up Off The Plateau, Abingdon Press Lyle Shaller Assimilating New Members, Abingdon Press Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin, Finding Them, Keeping Them, Broadman, Holman Bill Hull, Seven Steps to Transform Your Church, Baker Book House Kennon Callahan, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, Harper Collins Pub. Frank Tillapaugh, The Church Unleashed, Regal Books Melvin Steinbron, The Lay-Driven Church: How To Empower the People In Your Church To Share the Tasks of Ministry, Regal Books Terry Anderson, Transforming Leadership: Equiping Yourself and Coaching Others to Build the Leadership Organization, St. Lucie Printing Christian Schwartz, Natural Church Development, ChurchSmart Resources Howard Snyder, Radical Renewal; The Problem of Wineskins, Touch Pub. Melvin Steinbron, Can The Pastor Do It Alone? Regal Press PMN 574 Roadcup 7