Syllabi

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PR 610 The Theology and Practice of Preaching

Donald E. Demaray

Course description (catalog): “The course nurtures a vision of Christian preaching as a theological and pastoral activity of the church in service to the gospel. The core objectives of this course have been established to facilitate critical understanding of and competence in view of (1) preaching as witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed in the Christian Scriptures and (2) preaching as both a gift of the holy Spirit and a human vocation which serves the creation of a community called to worship the Triune God as revealed through the narrative of the whole biblical canon. This course approaches preaching as a theological practice and from a perspective shaped by the Wesleyan tradition; it is informed by a conscious integration of doctrinal and biblical exegesis and the practice of theological hermeneutics. Emphasis is placed on the life-long task of acquiring practical habits appropriate for cultivating judgment required for faithful communication of the biblical witness in service of the Word of God, as an act of Christian worship and within the context of personal, social, and cultural challenge and change.”
CO 520 A Syllabus and General Guide for Narrative Pastoral Counseling

Burrell D. Dinkins

Brandt, Kevin M. (1997) Story As A Way Of Knowing, Kansas City: Sheed & Ward Dinkins, Burrell D. (2005) Narrative Pastoral Counseling, Xulon Press. (You can purchase this book from the Cokesbury Bookstore, Amazon.com, or from Burrell Dinkins. Gretz, Stanley J. (1996) A Primer On Postmodernism Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Monk, Winslade, Crocket and Epston: (1997) Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archeology of Hope, San Francisco, California: Jossey Bass. White, Michael and David Epston. (1990) Narrative Means To Therapeutic Ends, New York: W.W. Norton & company.
IS 502 Vocation of Ministry

Burrell D. Dinkins

Course Description This course addresses the question, How is a vocation to Christian ministry discerned, shaped, and sustained? The purpose of the course is to explore the biblical and theological foundations of Christian vocation by examining the connection between a call to ministry and the formation of persons for ministry.
PC 510 The Servant as Pastoral Care Giver

Burrell D. Dinkins

Course Description This course may surprise you. Most students are interested in learning what to do and what to say in pastoral care and counseling situations. At first they are disappointed, or confused when they discover very little about doing or saying; rather it is more about thinking like a pastor and becoming a person who communicates a pastoral presence. You will be learning about the unique role of a pastor and the basic kinds of personal and collective concerns that pastors typically encounter. The primary modes of care to be examined are narrative pastoral conversations and the general care of persons by pastors and the community of faith.
NT 670 Non-Canonical Writings for NT Studies

Joseph R. Dongell

General Description: This course will serve as a basic introduction to the wide range of ancient literatures surrounding the NT and illuminating its interpretation. Students will read (in English translation) selected portions of those literatures which meaningfully relate to the NT, and will be exposed to the historical circumstances of each literature while becoming familiar with tools available for further research. Prereq.: NT 520.
CH 502 X3 8 Church History II

Patrick Eby

An introduction to the development of Christianity from the Reformation to the modern period. Emphasis is placed on the central historical figures, movements, and theological issues, with attention given to their importance for Christian ministry today. Major texts and interpretive studies will be read. (3 credit hours)
CS 601 Christian Ethics

Brian G. Edgar

Boulton, Wayne G., Thomas D.Kennedy, and Allen Verhey, eds., From Christ to the World: Introductory Readings in Christian Ethics (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994). Dayton, Donald W., Discovering an Evangelical Heritage (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1988). Hollinger, Dennis, Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002). Miles, Rebekah L., The Pastor as Moral Guide (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999).
CS 601 Christian Ethics

Brian G. Edgar

This course aims CS601 – Fall 2007 Thobaben Version: 8AUG2007 • to prepare students for ministry by training them to analyze and address the moral life from a Christian perspective • to enable ministers to equip their congregations for understanding moral responsibility and for practicing ministry with integrity • to assist in training ministers who will draw all persons, including those who are excluded by society, into the care and guidance of the community of faith under the Lordship of Christ • to assist in the training of ministers who will exemplify the Gospel-mandated holy life.
CS 601 Christian Ethics

Brian G. Edgar

1. Dayton, Donald W., Discovering an Evangelical Heritage (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1988) read pages 1-142 and at least 4 chapters should be read prior to the intensive. 2. Miles, Rebekah L., The Pastor as Moral Guide (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999) pages 1-59 and 76 -122 should be read prior to the intensive. That is the minimum pre-intensive requirement, you are expected to read the whole book before the end of the course. 3. Hollinger, Dennis, Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002) read pages 9-272. At least pages 9-148 should be read prior to the intensive. That is the minimum pre-intensive requirement, however, you are encouraged to read as much as you can prior to the intensive. The whole book is to be read by the end of the course. 4. Boulton, Wayne G., Thomas D.Kennedy, and Allen Verhey, eds., From Christ to the World: Introductory Readings in Christian Ethics (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994) The required articles are listed below according to topic area, along with other readings.
DO 501 Basic Christian Doctrine

Brian G. Edgar

It is anticipated that by the end of the course students will have: l. Grown in their knowledge and love for God through the study of Christian theology. (It is expected that all dimensions of the course - the set reading, the assignments and the interactions between students and instructor, will contribute to this.) 2. Been introduced to all the major areas in the study of Christian theology. (This will be accomplished primarily through the systematic reading of McGrath’s ‘Christian Theology’. The other texts and supplemental reading will emphasize and reinforce certain aspects of that overall presentation.) 3. Grasped the vital connections between theology, the Christian life and the practice of ministry. (Brian Edgar’s ‘The Message of the Trinity’ and Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy’s ‘Across DO501X1SP08 - Page 3 of 14 the Spectrum’ relate the theological themes being studied to ministry issues. Assignments and class interaction will also enhance this aspect of the course.) 4. Established a basic understanding of the classical tradition of systematic theology, engaged with contemporary forms of theology and studied the doctrinal emphases of Wesleyan theology. (Steve Harper’s ‘The Way to Heaven: the gospel according to John Wesley’ engages the student with Wesleyan theology. ‘Across the Spectrum’ also addresses specific and much debated issues relating to Wesleyan theology and ‘Christian Theology’ places certain Wesleyan themes in a broader reformation context.) 5. Examined, evaluated and used a reasonable range of literature related to the study of Christian theology. (The set texts themselves cover a good range of historical and contemporary writing and the major paper will give opportunity for more specialized reading in one specific area.) 6. Used theological literature reflecting the global and historical character of theology as well as the multi-ethnic and cross-cultural nature of ministry. (‘The Christian Theology Reader’ is required reading and it provides a broad range of original, historical sources in an accessible manner. Supplemental reading will address multi-cultural perspectives.) 7. Developed a working theological vocabulary, a knowledge of theological themes and a theological approach that will support further study in theology and related disciplines. (The reading, the interaction and the assignments will afford the student the opportunity to develop their theological skills. The end result requires the student to integrate the material into their own theological mind-set and their approach to ministry).
IS 501 Kingdom, Church, and World

Brian G. Edgar

Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding our Place in the Biblical Story, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004. Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People, Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996 Frost, Michael and Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come: innovation and mission for the 21st century church, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrikson, 2003 Jenkins, Philip, The Next Christendom: the coming of global Christianity, Oxford University Press, 2002 Newbigin, Leslie. The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission, (Revised Edition) Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995 Wright, Tom. The Challenge of Jesus, Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity or London: SPCK, 1999
ST 650 Public Theology for Changing Times

Brian G. Edgar

Holmes, Stephen R. (ed), Public Theology in Cultural Engagement: God's Key to the Redemption of the World (Paternoster, 2008) Sider, Ronald J, and Diane Knippers (eds), Toward and Evangelical Public Policy: political strategies for the health of the nation, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005) pages 9-212 and 307-341. Hunsberger, George R., ‘The mission of public theology: an exploration’ Svensk missionstidskrift, Vol. 93 No 3 (2005), 315-324. Breitenberg, E Harold, Jr., ‘To tell the truth: will the real public theology please stand up?’ Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, Vol. 23 No 2 (Fall-Wint 2003), 55-96. Stackhouse, Max L., ‘Public Theology and Ethical Judgment’ Theology Today, Vol. 54 No 2 (Jl 1997), 165-179.
ST 753 The Human Person: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Brian G. Edgar

Southgate, Christopher et al, God, Humanity and the Cosmos: a textbook in science and religion Edinburgh: T and T Clark 1999 – pages 1-286, 329-398 - 350 pages John J. Davis, The Frontiers of Science and Faith: examining questions from the big bang to the end of the universe, Downers Grove: IVP, 2002 – 180 pages Green, Joel. (ed), What about the Soul? Neuroscience and Christian Anthropology, Nashville: Abingdon, 2004. – 190 pages Mitchell, C. Ben, Edmund D. Pellegrino, Jean Bethke Elshtain, John F. Kilner, Scott B. Rae, Biotechnology and the Human Good, Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2007 – 220 pages Sherlock, Charles, The Doctrine of Humanity, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996 – 240 pages
CO680 Career Counseling

Sally Foster

This class is intended to be a foundational course in career counseling that will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for performing career development and counseling services in a variety of settings. The course incorporates both theoretical and applied dimensions of career counseling. Though primarily designed for students in the MA Counseling program, the course would be valuable for students in other programs who work with adolescent and other populations.
MU 510 Musical Foundations for Pastoral Ministry

William C. Goold

Course Description: This course explores, informs and equips the pastor to deal with and understand the content, context, purpose, functions and biblical/theological foundations for the use of music in the worship life of the local church. Emphasis is given to content and modes of class presentation(s). The intended, specific focus of this course is for pastors who, though perhaps not formally trained as musicians, anticipate weekly involvement with music in their congregational worship of God.
WO 510 Worship Leadership in the Church

William C. Goold

Course Description: The primary focus of WO 510 is corporate worship. The course is not about a preferred worship style nor is it about a preferred musical expression in worship. The Bible, theology, history and practical application will be the lens through which acts/components/elements of worship are viewed, including worship space, time, prayer, Scripture, and the church’s music. Attention will be given to worship design, worship planning, worship leading, the sacraments/ordinances, the marriage service, the funeral service and other worship experiences with specific needs and foci. Throughout the course, the repeated, prevailing emphasis will be to equip and encourage pastors and worship leaders who are prepared to bring skill, passion and grace to the awesome privilege and responsibility of equipping and edifying the whole congregation as the people of God for its primary, collective act of corporate worship.
ST 650 Tutorial in Systematic Theology: Christology

McFarlane Graham

Course Description This module seeks to introduce you to the exciting and central doctrine of Christology. In order to make it accessible in this short module, we shall look at the person of Jesus Christ through his relation both to God and to humans. We shall do so in four parts. Firstly, we shall look at how the New Testament evidences very clear responses to both aspects of Jesus’ human and divine identity. Secondly, we shall look at how this data has been developed within the exceptionally creative period of Christological thinking – the Patristic era. Thirdly, we shall look at classic, modern descriptions of Jesus. Finally, we shall look at elements of contemporary American Christologies before ending on a personal note – your Christology. I have tried to use only directly relevant books and have included journal articles that can be accessed through Asbury library.
CL 612 Christian Leadership Development

Richard Gray

Blackaby, Henry and Richard, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People On To God’s Agenda. Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001. Clinton, J. Robert, The Making of a Leader. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1988. Engstrom, Ted W., The Making of a Christian Leader. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976. Stanley, Andy., Visioneering. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 1999. Saunders, Oswald J., Spiritual Leadership. Chicago: Moody Press, 1994. Thrall, Bill, McNicol , Bruce and Ken McElrath., The Ascent of a Leader. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers, 1999
CS 625 Black History, Theology and Mission

Richard Gray

This course is designed to examine the African-American religious experience and expression in America. To this end, facts and insights will be explored to assist the general community in gaining a better understanding of the place and role of the African American and his Church in the greater American society.
IT 605 Internet and the Web in Ministry

Jeff Groeling

Lochhead, David, Shifting Realities: Information Technology and the Church. WCC Publications, 1997 Stephenson, Mark, Web-Empower Your Church: Unleashing the Power of Internet Ministry, Abington Press, 2006
CD 510 XL Foundations of Christian Discipleship

R. Dale Hale

Welcome to Foundations of Christian Discipleship. I am so glad you have elected to take this course. While the title of the course suggests a beginning point, I want you to know that it will be broader than just a beginning point. By the end of the semester you will have developed a better understanding of what it means to help the church develop into a stronger, more intelligent, spiritually deep family of believers who are able to articulate their faith. However, do not make the mistake of thinking this is a specialized course. It is a course that broadly examines Christian Education – hence the title “Foundations of Christian Discipleship”. This course includes a Biblical perspective of spiritual education, a short history of Christian Discipleship, the Wesley connection, Discipling today, Change methodology to be more effective, and the use of technology in Christian discipleship. CD510 is a course that is designed to give you a broad perspective of Christian discipleship. It will lead you into the foundations of Christian Discipleship. Over the next few weeks (and believe me, while they seem long, they are but a blink of an eye), we will be . . . o Developing a Biblical perspective of discipleship o Exploring Wesley’s methods of discipling o Creating a philosophy of Christian discipleship o Developing a paradigm of discipler/disciple (teacher/student) o Specifically focusing on Nurturing, Facilitating, Administering, and Coordinating the church's educational ministries. o Exploring the use of technology in discipleship
IS 502 Vocation of Ministry

R. Dale Hale

• Clouse, B. & Clouse, R. B. (1989). Women in Ministry: Four Views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. • Barton, Ruth H. (2006). Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN# 0830833331 • Grenz, S. & Bell, R. (1995). Betrayal of Trust: Sexual Misconduct in the Pastorate. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN# 083081857x • Guiness, O. (1998). The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Waco,TX: Word. ISBN# 0849944376 • Willard, Dallas. (1999). Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN# 083082226 • Sire, J. (2000). Habits of the mind: Intellectual life as a Christian calling. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN#0830822739 • Wesley, J. (1977/1777). A Plain Account of Christian Perfection. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press. ISBN# 0834101580
IS 502 Christian Formation: Vocation of Ministry

James Hampton

Course Description This course seeks to ask and address the question, How is our vocation as those called to Christian ministry discerned, shaped, and sustained? The purpose of this course is to explore from a Wesleyan perspective the biblical and theological foundations of Christian personhood and vocation by examining the nexus between call to ministry and formation of persons in ministry.
YM 510 Foundations of Youth Ministry

James Hampton

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Explores roles and responsibilities of the career youth minister, grounded in the vocation of “ministry as change agent,” including grounding in a theology of youth ministry, studies in formative needs of youth; staff development, resource development and selection; with special attention to maximizing multiplestaff opportunities and responsibilities, ministry through facilitating and empowering staff, and coordinating a multidimensional youth development ministry. (Catalog) This course is required of all MAYM majors and open to all other students, as it fulfills a Servant Ministry elective in the MDiv curriculum. It is the course out of which all other Youth Ministry courses grow. It is designed to help the prospective youth minister not only understand youth ministry as practical theology, but also learn how to think theologically about youth ministry as a holistic ministry within the church.
YM 551 Seminar in Youth Ministry

James Hampton

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The content and focus of this seminar will address current urgent issues The seminar will build around nationally known uest faculty who are practicing ministry professionals in the content area. For the seminar, advanced reading/critique preparation and follow-up integrative reflection will supplement the contact hours with the resource person. Faculty serve as campus planners/conveners/professors of record. (Catalog)