Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary EM 502 The Educational Ministry of the Church Spiritual Formation, Teaching Ministry & Theology Fall 2013 October 24-27 8:00am-5:00pm Dr. David A. Escobar Arcay M.Ed., M.Div, Th.M., Ph.D. drdescobararcay@gmail.com If you win the whole world and lose the mind of the world, you will soon discover you have not won the world. Indeed it may turn out that you have actually lost the world... Responsible Christians face two tasks that of saving the soul and that of saving the mind. Charles Malik, The Two Tasks I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides a broad overview of the critical issues concerning the teaching ministry of the church. Students will be challenged to develop a philosophy of educational ministry with a focus on Christian formation as well as teaching and Christian theology. This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of educational ministry, particularly as it is practiced within a Christian formational education framework. This course will proceed in a twofold process: First, the introduction to and analysis of the foundational issues related to spiritual formation, the teaching ministry and Christian theology. Second, the exploration of the issues related to conceptualizing, planning, and executing educational ministry where the whole church is considered as the curriculum for the formation of the people of God. This course aims to encourage students to engage in meaningful praxis by providing ample opportunities for students to (1) explore and design educational experiences based on the theories explored in class, (2) engage in various experiential teaching-learning opportunities, and (3) facilitate meaningful educational experiences and reflect on those experiences. The class is intended to foster a sense of the learning community so as to simulate the possible vocational ministry settings faced by students upon graduation. II. REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS Dawn, M. Is It a Lost Cause? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Estep, J.R., Anthony, M.J. & Allison, Allison, G.R. A Theology for Christian Education. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2008. Conde-Frazier, Elizabeth, S. Steve Kang, and Gary A. Parrett. A Many Colored Kingdom: Multicultural Dynamics for Spiritual Formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004. Harris, M. Fashion Me a People: A Curriculum in the Church. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989. The Heidelberg Catechism. Cleveland, OH: United Church Press, 1962. (Also available online at a number of sites. See http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/d ocuments /heidelberg.html) Parrett, Gary and S. Steve Kang. Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2009. ISBN-13: 978-0830825875 Yount, W.Y. The Teaching Ministry of the Church. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2008. III. COURSE EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS Classroom Attendance and Participation (10%) Students should be ready during each class period to (1) recall the major tenets of the readings and be able to reflect the readings theologically and ethically; (2) raise questions pertaining to the readings and brainstorm educational/ministerial implications on the readings; and (3) actively participate in classroom activities and promote and maintaining the learning community in class. Book Review (15%) Select either Book A or Book B. The professor will provide these books. Read your chosen book in its entirety. Write a 3-page paper outlining the following: (1) a summary of its main contents or core argument (page 1); (2) a critical assessment of the contents or core argument of the book (page 2) and (3) an evaluation as to how the contents of this book or its core argument apply to your current ministry (page 3). In addition to these 3 pages, please include a first presentation page and subject or conform your paper to Turabian 1 format guidelines. (Microsoft Word format only 12-point Times New Roman & 1-inch margin with the student s name and course number as the title of the document). A. Palmer, P.J. To Know as we are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1993. B. Stott, J. Your Mind Matters. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1972. The Educational Ministry in Your Church Paper/Project (15 %) Select a church (primarily yours). Investigate and gather a copy of its educational ministry. In other words, describe its educational structure or programs by drawing a diagram. Please observe authority/hierarchical lines. Select one component of that educational (church) structure. Analyze that structure and describe needs for improvement. Make theoretical as well as practical suggestions or recommendations as to how it can be improved. This is a 3-page paper. Page 1 is the diagram itself. Page 2 is the problem described in that particular structure. Page 3 is consists of your theoretical or practical suggestions or recommendations. In addition to these 3 pages, please include a first presentation page and subject or conform your paper to Turabian 2 style/format guidelines. (Microsoft Word format only 12-point Times New Roman & 1-inch margin with the student s name and course number as the title of the document). Church Membership Course Paper (15%) Based on Parrett & Kang s Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful(textbook) chapter 14 Commitments for a Congregational Curriculum, outline and describe your church membership class by doing a chart or table exactly identical to the one presented in page 394. 1 see Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th Edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1996. 2 see Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th Edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Describe each session. Highlight biblical as well spiritual formation and theological knowledge contained within each of these sessions. Make 1-2 suggestions for improvement based on the reading of chapter 14 for each of the sessions. If you are not a pastor of a church, please inquire about this church membership course/sessions. (Microsoft Word format only 12-point Times New Roman & 1-inch margin with the student s name and course number as the title of the document). A Biographical Essay The Culturally Sensitive Educator/Teacher/Pastor (15%) This is your personal (albeit pastoral/ministerial) space to make connections between the Bible, theology, spiritual formation and your background and present life as well as the particular context or community and church where you serve. After reading Conde-Frazier, Kang and Parrett s A Many Colored Kingdom chapters 2, 4, 5 & 6, write a 4-page paper. There are two parts for this paper. The first part is to describe in detail your background and to accentuate those parts of your life that relate to contexts, cultures and social markers (race, class, gender and ethnicity). The second part is to analyze and evaluate how these impact your teaching or the teaching of the faith in your church and community. The core or central task of this paper is for you to respond to the following question: How do you (or your church for that matter) become a culturally sensitive minister? (Microsoft Word format only 12-point Times New Roman & 1-inch margin with the student s name and course number as the title of the document). Educational Formation Ministry Framework Paper (30%) By carefully interacting with the course texts and classroom materials/experiences, students are to conceptualize/articulate an overarching framework of educational formation ministry based on the motif where the local church is, the particular locale, curriculum or formation system in God s household in his ongoing redemptive work for and through his people in the world. The project should be about 10 to 12 pages demonstrating the student s understanding of the integration and confluence of the purpose, proclamation, people, and process of educational formation ministry as well as the teaching ministry of the church and the theology of Christian education. Students must send the paper electronically to drdescobararcay@gmail.com. (Microsoft Word format only 12-point Times New Roman & 1-inch margin with the student s name and course number as the title of the document). The paper will be returned electronically with the instructor s comments later. Due: - Late Papers will be docked a letter grade for each day they are late. - All citations (footnotes) should be in Turabian* format. IV. Tasks (Papers) & Deadlines & Criteria for Evaluation Chart for Dates Assignments Deadlines Points Classroom Attendance & Participation ongoing 10 A Book Review Monday, November 4, 15 2013 by 11:30pm to my email B The Educational Ministry in Your Church Paper/Project Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by 11:30pm to 15
my email C Church Membership Course Paper Fourth Day, Sunday, October 27, 2013 by 12:00pm 15 D E A Biographical Essay The Culturally Sensitive Educator/Teacher/Pastor Educational Formation Ministry Framework Paper Third Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 by 12:00pm Sunday, November 10, 2013 by 11:30pm to my email 15 30 Total Points = 100 Criteria for Evaluation Value/points for each of the tasks/assignments described above (meaning A, B, C, D & E) will be assessed by looking closely at the following components: Content Process Grammar Format (Turabian 3 please) V. GRADING SCALE (TAKEN GCTS CATALOG) The following numerical values are assigned to the letter grade evaluations for purposes of determining grade point average: A+ = 4.0; A = 4.0; A- = 3.7; B+ = 3.3; B = 3.0; B- = 2.7; C+ = 2.3; C = 2.0; C- = 1.7; D+ = 1.3; D = 1.0; D- = 0.7; F = 0.0. Grade point averages are never rounded off. No exceptions are granted to this method of computing a student's grade point average. VI. COURSE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE Introduction Greetings Who are we? First Day Thursday, October 24, 2013 CONCEPTS, FOUNDATIONS, CORE ISSUEs, SUBSTANCE GUIDING QUESTION: WHY & HOW DO WE GROUND THE CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH IN BIBLICAL, SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND THEOLOGICAL GROUNDS? TOPICS/THEMES/PRESENTATION Education for Our Times & The Scriptures READINGS/TASKS TEXTBOOK: Dawn s Is it a Lost Cause? Chapters 1 The Heart of the World Chapter 2 The Heart of God Revealed in the Scriptures Chapter 3 The heart of God Revealed Through the Church as Parallel Society 3 see Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th Edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Biblical & Theological Foundations Theological Foundations for the Teaching Ministry of the Church Purpose & Proclamation of Educational Ministry The Nature of Theology & What is it That Makes Education Christian? (pages 15-63) TEXTBOOK: Pazmiño s Foundational Issues in Christian Education Chapter 1 Biblical Foundations Chapter 2 Theological Foundations (pages 19-83) TEXTBOOK: Yount s The Teaching Ministry of the Church Part 1 (chapters 1 & 2) Theological Foundations for the Teaching Ministry of the Church Part 2 (chapters 3, 4 & 5) Biblical Foundations for the Teaching Ministry (pages 3-87) TEXTBOOK: Parrett & Kang s Teaching the Faithful, Forming the Faithful Part 1 (chapters 1 & 2) Purpose: A Mission to Fill Part 2 (chapters 3, 4 & 5) Proclamation: A Message to Obey and Teach (pages 17-146) TEXTBOOK: Estep, Anthony & Allison s A Theology for Christian Education Chapter 1 The Nature of Theology and Education Chapter 2 What Makes Education Christian? (pages 5-43) Second Day Friday, October 25, 2013 PEOPLE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PASTORS GUIDING QUESTION: WHO AND HOW DOES PEOPLE TEACH AND LEARN? TOPICS/THEMES/PRESENTATION The Bible, Theology & The Participants READINGS/TASKS TEXTBOOK: Parrett & Kang s Teaching the Faithful, Forming the Faithful Chapter 6 Teachers Among Us Chapter 7 Attitudes and Attributes of Christlike Teachers Chapter 9 Toward a Community of Learners (pages 149-208; 236-264) TEXTBOOK: Yount s The Teaching Ministry of the Church Chapter 10 The Pastor as Teacher Chapter 15 Teaching Preschoolers Chapter 16 Teaching Children Chapter 17 Teaching Youth Chapter 18 The Adult Learner (pages 161-184; 285-360)
Culture and The Educator TEXTBOOK: Conde-Frazier, Kang and Parrett s A Many Colored Kingdom Chapter 2 Lord of the Nations Chapter 4 salient Theoretical Frameworks for Forming Kingdom Citizens Chapter 5 Prejudice and Conversion Chapter 6 Becoming a Culturally Sensitive Minister. (pages 51-62; 79-150) Third Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 RESOURCES CURRICULUM, PROGRAM, SCHEDULE, POLICIES, TRAINING GUIDING QUESTIONS: WHAT ARE THE GOVERNING OR SHAPING EDUCATIONAL OR PEDAGOGICAL STRUCTURES OF MY CHURCH? TOPICS/THEMES/PRESENTATION The Curriculum READINGS/TASKS TEXTBOOK: Pazmiño s Foundational Issues in Christian Education Chapter 7 Curricular Foundations (pages 231-252) TEXTBOOK: Yount s The Teaching Ministry of the Church Chapter 19 Selecting & Evaluating Curriculum (pages 363-380) Curriculum & Commitments TEXTBOOK: Harris Fashion Me a People: A Curriculum in the Church Part 2 Vocation Chapter 4 Koinonia Chapter 5 Leiturgia Chapter 6 Didache Chapter 7 Kerygma Chapter 8 Daikonia (pages 75-163) TEXTBOOK: Parrett & Kang s Teaching the Faithful, Forming the Faithful Chapter 13 Commitments for a Congregational Curriculum (Part 1) Chapter 14 Commitments for a Congregational Curriculum (Part 2) pages (361-390) Fourth Day, Sunday, October 27, 2013 VENUES STRATEGIES, METHODS, TECHNIQUES, STRUCTURES GUIDING QUESTION: HOW DOES MY CHURCH ACCOMPLISHES ITS EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY VISION? TOPICS/THEMES/PRESENTATION READINGS/TASKS
Visions & Strategies TEXTBOOK: Parrett & Kang s Teaching the Faithful, Forming the Faithful Chapter 8 Listening to the Theorists Chapter 10 Visions of Christian Teaching Chapter 11 From Generation to Generation Chapter 12 When you Come Together : Worship & Formation (pages 209-235; 265-360) VII. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Astley, Jeff. The Philosophy of Christian Religious Education. Birmingham, AL: REP, 1994. Astley, Jeff and Francis, Leslie J., eds. Christian Perspectives on Faith Development: A Reader. Leominster: Gracewing Fowler Wright; Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1992.. Critical Perspectives on Christian Education: A Reader on the Aims, Principles and Philosophy of Christian Education. Leominster: Gracewing Fowler Wright, 1994. Astley, Jeff; Francis, Leslie J. and Crowder, Colin, eds. Theological Perspectives on Christian Formation: a Reader on Theology and Christian Education. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1996. Belenky, Mary. et al. Women s Ways of Knowing. New York: Basic Books, 1986. Boys, Mary. Educating in Faith: Maps and Visions. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1989. Brueggemann, Walter. The Creative Word: Canon as a Model for Biblical Education. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982. Bunge, Marcia J. (ed.). The Child in Christian Thought. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2001. Burgess, Harold W. Models of Religious Education: Theory and Practice in Historical and Contemporary Practice. Nappanee, Ind.: Evangel Publishing House, 2001. Bushnell, Horace. Christian Nurture. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979. Carroll, Colleen. The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2002. Coles, Robert. The Spiritual Life of Children. London: HarperCollins, 1990. Dawn, Marva. Is It a Lost Cause?: Having the Heart of God for the Church's Children. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Dryden, Gordon and Jeannette Vos. The Learning Revolution. Torrance: The Learning Web, 1999. Dykstra, Craig. Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian practices. Louisville: Geneva, 1999. Dykstra, Robert, Allan Hugh Cole, Jr., and Donald Capps. Losers, Loners, And Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys. Louisville: WJK, 2007. Eisner, Elliot W. The Educational Imagination: On the Design and Evaluation of School Programs. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1985. Elias, John L. Conscientization and Deschooling!: Freire s and Illich s Proposals for Reshaping Society. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976. Foster, Charles R. Educating Congregations: The Future of Christian Education. Nashville: Abingdon, 1994. Fowler, James W. Faithful Change: the personal and public challenges of postmodern life. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996.
. Stages of Faith: the psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981. Francis, Leslie J. and Astley, Jeff, eds. Children, Churches and Christian Learning. London: SPCK, 2002 Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Continuum, 1970. Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1993. Groome, Thomas. Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Story and Vision. New York: Jossey-Bass, 1999. Groome, Thomas H. Sharing Faith: A Comprehensive Approach to Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1991. Gibbs, Eugene, ed. A Reader in Christian Education: Foundations and Basic Perspectives. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. Guder, Darrell. A Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Gutek, Gerald. L. Cultural Foundations of Education. New York: Macmillan, 1991. Knight, George. Issues & Alternatives in Educational Philosophy, 2nd ed. Berrien Spring: AUP, 1998. Harmless, William. Augustine and the Catechumenate. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1995. Harris, M. Fashion Me a People. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989. Harris, M. Women and Teaching. New York: Paulist Press, 1988. Hendricks, H. Teaching to Change Lives. Portland: Multnomah, 1987. Heschel, Abraham J. Between God and Man. New York: The Free Press, 1954. Joyce, Bruce, and Marsha Weil with Emily Calhoun. Models o f teaching, 7th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2004. LeBar, Lois E. Education That Is Christian. Updated by James E. Plueddemann. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989. LeFever, Marlene. Learning Styles. Colorado Springs: Cook, 1995. Lines, Timothy Arthur. Functional Images of the Religious Educator. Birmingham, Ala.: REP, 1992. Little, Sara. To Set One s Heart: Belief and Teaching in the Church. Atlanta, Georgia: John Knox Press, 1983. Loder, James E. The Transforming Moment. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs: Helmers & Howard, 1989. Maas, Robin and O Donnell, Gabriel, eds. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon, 1990. McAdams, D. The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making of the Self. New York: Morrow, 1993. Melchert, Charles F. Wise Teaching: Biblical Wisdom and Educational Ministry. Harrisburg, PA.: TPI, 1998. Miller, Patricia. Theories of Developmental Psychology. 4th Edition. New York: Worth Publisher, 2001. Moore, Mary Elizabeth. Teaching from the Heart: theology and educational method. Harrisburg: TPI, 1998. Teaching as a Sacramental Act. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2004.
Nelson, C. Ellis. How Faith Matures. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1989. Osmer, Richard. A Teachable Spirit: Recovering the Teaching Office in the Church. Louisville: W/JKP, 1990. Osmer, Richard R. and Schweitzer, Friedrich. Religious Education between Modernization and Globalization: New Perspectives in the United States and Germany. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003. Palmer, Parker. J. To Know as We Are Known: A Spirituality of Education. New York: Harper & Row, 1983.. Courage to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997. Parks, Sharon. The Critical Years: The Young Adult Search for a Faith to Live by. New York: Harper & Row, 1986 Pazmiño, Robert W. By What Authority Do We Teach? Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.. Foundational Issues in Christian Education: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.. God Our Teacher: Theological Basics in Christian Education. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001.. Principles & Practices of Christian Education: An Evangelical Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. Petersen, Michael L. With All Your Mind: A Christian Philosophy of Education. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2001. Reed, Ronald & Tony Johnson. Philosophical Documents in Education. White Plains: Longman, 1996. Richards, Lawrence and Gary Bredfeldt. Creative Bible Teaching, Revised Edition. Chicago: Moody Press, 1998. Reynolds, Sherrie. Learning Is a Verb: The Psychology of Teaching and Learning. Scottsdale: Holcomb Hathaway, 2000. Seymour, Jack. L. and D. E. Miller. Contemporary Approaches to Christian Education. Nashville: Abingdon, 1982. Seymour, Jack L., ed. Mapping Christian Education: Approaches to Congregational Learning. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997. The Heidelberg Catechism: A New Translation for the Twenty-first Century. Barrett Lee, translator. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007. Tye, Karen. Your Calling as a Teacher. St. Louis: Chalice, 2008. Vella, Jane. Learning to Listen Learning to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1994. Westerhoff, John. Will Our Children Have Faith?, Revised Edition. Harrisburg: Morehouse, 2000. Westerhoff, John H. III and Edwards, O. C. Jr. A Faithful Church: Issues in the History of Catechesis. Wilton, CT: Morehouse-Barlow Co., 1981. Wiggins, George. and J. McTighe. Understanding by Design. Alexandria: ASCD, 1998. Wilhoit, James. Christian Education: The Search for Meaning, 2nd. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.. Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Wilhoit, James. and J. Dettoni, eds. Nurture That Is Christian. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1995. Wimberley, Anne Streaty. Soul Stories: African American Christian Education. Nashville: Abingdon, 1994. Wolterstorff, Nicholas P. Educating for Responsible Action. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.