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Cutting Edge Social Ministries: Bearing Witness to the Love and Justice of God
Winter/Spring 2012
Churches, Mosques and Synagogues impact their communities and build membership strength through a wide variety of creative, contemporary ministries of care, justice and transformation. Through readings, research, field trips and conversations with leaders in the Greater Hartford region, we will examine examples of congregations and collaborations seeking to bear witness to the love and justice of God through cutting edge social ministries, including: the shift in evangelical and mega-churches from personal values to public issues; the range of creative Roman Catholic ministries that flourish “outside the box;” the impact of Islam in community ministries; Interfaith initiatives for social legislation; web-based organizing to challenge policies of torture; cultural arts as a weapon for justice; re-tooling mainline churches for 21st century ministry; and family mentoring and investing in the Black and Latino communities. We will examine how these ministries started, who keeps them going, where they get support, and their influence on the community and in the lives of congregations and their members.
Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning January 25
Syllabus:
Reading List:
Required:
Edward Glaeser. The Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, Happier
Robert Lupton. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
Alexander von Hoffman. House by House, Block by Block: The Rebirth of America's Urban Neighborhoods
Recommended:
Michael Downs. House of Good Hope: A Promise for a Broken City
Dennis A. Jacobsen. Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing
Field Trips:
Our explorations in and around Hartford will include interactions with varied communities of faith and organizations committed to the well-being of the city and region. These will include (but not be limited to) the following:
Christian Activities Council
The Artists Collective
Muslim Coalition of Connecticut
Charter Oak Cultural Center
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity
Leadership Greater Hartford
Hands on Hartford
Billings Forge Community Works
Assessment Expectations:
It is expected that each student will be an active participant in class and during our field trips by listening deeply, asking engaging questions and by offering thoughtful observations on our readings and expeditions. Each student will be required to write three reflection papers (5 pages in length) during the course of the semester that offer thoughtful reflection on the field trip experiences. These papers will also serve as an opportunity to clarify the theological and philosophical assumptions that guide individuals and organizations devoted to the work of justice. A longer paper (7 pages in length) will reflect a sustained and thoughtful conversation between one of the required texts and the experiences gleaned from one of the field trips.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance in class is required. Please note that this course will involve multiple field trips to destinations throughout the city of Hartford. If you know you will be unable to attend a class session please inform the professor in advance. Missing two sessions will result in an automatic lowering of your grade by 10%. Missing three or more sessions will result in automatic failure of the course.
Office Hours: Available by appointment
Background Reading:
The following books would serve as good introductions to the broader field of urban ministry, and as resources for examples of cutting edge ministries in other areas of the United States.
Robert C. Carle and Louis A. DeCaro Jr. Signs of Hope in the City: Ministries of Community Renewal
Robert Lupton. Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal
Amy L. Sherman. Restorers of Hope
Ronald Sider, Philip N. Olson, and Heidi Rolland Unruh. Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works
Books:
Required:
Edward Glaeser. The Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, Happier
Robert Lupton. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
Alexander von Hoffman. House by House, Block by Block: The Rebirth of America’s Urban Neighborhoods
Recommended:
Michael Downs. House of Good Hope: A Promise for a Broken City
Dennis A. Jacobsen. Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing