Syllabus Summary January 2007
CYFM
4550
M-F 1:10-5:00
GH102
Paul Hill, instructor
This course explores an ecclesiology defined by the partnership between home and congregation. “Church” is often solely equated with congregational life. This erroneous understanding has led to the abdication of faith practices in the domestic church, the home. First century Christians, as well as Martin Luther, lived out of an ecclesiology whereby homes/house churches were a most significant expression of what it means to be THE church.
Students will examine how first century Christians shaped their home and family life in the context of larger Roman/Greek cultural norms. Luther’s understanding of “vocation” provides the theological architecture defining the partnership between home and congregation. Finally, students will work with a practical methodology for evaluating a congregation’s ecclesiological paradigms and learn how to shape and equip homes as mission outposts of the church.
Overall Outcomes:
1) Students develop an ecclesiology that partners home and congregation.
2) Students reflect on various understandings and structures of “family” including the Biblical, Lutheran Confessional, American historical and sociological perspectives.
3) Students can identify and analyze the ecclesiological paradigms of their congregations.
4) Students can help equip homes for ministry in non-congregational settings.
Required
Family The Forming Center: A Vision of the Role of Family in Spiritual Formation; Marjorie Thompson
Family: A Christian Social Perspective: Lisa Sowle Cahill
Frogs Without Legs Can’t Hear: Nurturing Disciples in Home and Congregation; Paul Hill and David Anderson
Recommended
Families At The Crossroads: Beyond Traditional and Modern Options; Rodney Clapp
Families In The New Testament: Households and
Marriage And Modernization: How Globalization Threatens Marriage and What to Do about It; Don Browning
Passing On The Faith: A Radical New Model for Youth and Family Ministry; Merton Strommen and Richard Hardel
The Estate Of Marriage; Martin Luther
The Family In Theological Perspective; Stephen Barton
The Large Catechism: Fourth Commandment and Explanation; Martin Luther
The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap; Stephanie Coontz
Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life, Douglas Schuurman
Why Marriage Matters: Reasons to Believe in Marriage in Postmodern Society: Glenn Stanton
The Case For Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier and Better Off Financially; Linda Waite, Maggie Gallagher
Class Requirements:
Students are expected to attend all the classes.
There are two writing assignments for the course. The first is a 10-12 page reflection paper that identifies the key thesis from three bibliographic sources (either required or recommended) and how they relate to and are distinctive from one another. Papers are evaluated based upon demonstrated comprehension and critique of the material. In addition, referencing and incorporating class material is expected.
Secondly, students are expected to analyze their own congregational setting using the CHILD IN OUR HANDS model demonstrated in class. A 6-8 page narrative should accompany the model that interprets the meaning of the analysis. The narrative should also include prioritized action steps for the coming year.
Prior to class students should have read two of the three required books or equivalent texts chosen from the recommended reading list.
All papers are due by the end of the January, 2007 interim period.
Daily Class Elements
·
Family Prayer
·
Opening Conversation
·
Content Pieces
·
Interactive Activity
·
·
Biblical Exploration
·
What did we learn? What questions are triggered?
Day 1 and 2: Theme: The Ecclesiology of Church-Home and Congregation
Goals:
1)
Define
Church as home and congregation
2)
Examine
the first century cultural context in which Christianity carved out a radical
understanding of family.
3)
Identify
the philosophical influences that impacted Christian understandings of family
and the emergence of Christian patriarchal family systems.
4)
Examine
some Biblical references regarding marriage and the family. What do these texts mean for us today?
Day 3: The Return of Patriarchy in the Christian Family and Luther’s Understanding of Vocation and the Family
Goals:
1)
Explore
how patriarchy became orthodoxy.
2)
Explore
Luther’s understandings of family and vocation.
Days 4 and 5: 3-4-5: The Vocabulary of Partnering Home and Congregation
Goals:
1) Develop a common vocabulary for partnering home and congregation.
2)
Illustrate practical ministry strategies
for home and congregation.
3)
Compare
Luther with Calvin for the purposes of understanding
the
American context.
4) Review resources that support the 3-4-5 vision for passing on the faith.