Fuller Theological Seminary Syllabi
Congregations in the World: Neighbors,
Workplace and Society
Mark Lau Branson and C. René Padilla.
 View
Syllabus
This course focuses on how the laity and clergy of a congregation can engage the
world missionally. As a faith community being transformed by the gospel, a
church loves, does good, seeks justice, invites and celebrates. Biblical,
theological and practical foundations will be developed to support an
“incarnational” approach for the congregation’s missional life. Topics include
relating careers to mission, community organizing, evangelism, linking churches
for policy work, developing collaborations and non-profit organizations,
relating mission to spirituality, and maintaining a praxis orientation.
American Culture: Social Location and the Gospel
Mark Lau Branson and Ryan K. Bolger
View
Syllabus
Students will be introduced to American culture and examine the various
structures and practices within American society. Students will explore
modernity and postmodernity, popular culture, economics, and politics, and the
media. Students will learn to think theologically about American culture as well
as formulate a missional response for local congregations.
Ethnicities and Churches: U.S. Narratives & Intercultural Life
Mark Lau Branson and Juan Martínez
View
Syllabus
This course will introduce students to the narratives of US ethnic groups with
theoretical materials from cultural/social anthropology and intercultural
communication. Students will be given means for perceiving, understanding, and
developing ministry in the context of the multicultural US environment. The
course will attend to theological and spiritual resources that support church
leadership, with heuristic foci on African-American, Hispanic-American,
Asian-American and Euro-American experiences.
Forming the People of God: Congregational Praxis
Mark Lau Branson
View
Syllabus
DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course on biblical, theological, and
practical matters in ecclesiology and leadership. The work of lay and clergy
leadership is explored in relationship to congregation formation, spiritual
formation, and mission formation. All participants in a church are to be formed
into an “interpretive community” that is engaged with God personally and
corporately in spiritual formation and in missional outreach.
Church-Based Urban Research
Mark Lau Branson
Ron Kernaghan
View
Syllabus
A congregation needs to understand its social and cultural context and its own
character and identity in relationship to its surrounding community. Any urban
environment can be described in terms of demographics, organizations,
present_day activities, historical events, networks, economics, political
structures, and how churches embody certain characteristics and engage their
community. Research tools and resources will be explored and implemented by
students in selected geographic settings.
| 
