Seven Approaches to Congregational Renewal

Section 1:

After a quick review of the theologically prescribed tasks of the local church and prevailing wisdom about organizational innovation, the class will dive into the rapidly growing (and desperately needed) literature on congregational renewal. Indeed, we will read, comparatively analyze and discuss, from the point of view of one’s own ministry setting, seven different approaches to congregational renewal. The approaches all come from among those receiving wide, popular attention today.

This is a reading course!  Keeping up with the readings in order to fully participate in the in-class discussions is essential (and 30% of grade).  There will be several, very brief (1 – 2 pages) reflection papers to further facilitate class discussion (10% of grade).  There will be a short mid-semester paper (10 pages maximum) relating readings on leadership to readings on congregational renewal and to one’s own leadership style (20% of grade).  There will also be a major paper (20-25 pages) due at the end of the semester comparing approaches to congregational renewal and relating them to a student’s ministry setting (40% of grade).

Online and handout reading will be provided by the instructor. Students are responsible for securing all other books (most of which are available used on Amazon.com

January 24:
Reading:

1) “The Purpose of the Church” by David Schuller (Online PDF)
2) “Institutional Change and the Globalization of Theological Education” by David Roozen (Online PDF)
3) Choose one or the other: Can Our Church Live by Alice Mann, or Strategies for Change by Lyle Schaller

Short written reflections:
1) Find a piece about your denomination’s understanding of the marks/signs/purposes of a local congregation and compare it Schuller’s piece and your own personal understanding (2 pages max)
2) What three things in your reading of Mann or Schaller most resonated with the situation in your own ministry setting, and why

February 14:
Readings:
1) Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church by Reggie McNeal
2) Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass.

March 6:
Readings:
1) Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary by Aron, Hoffman and Kelman
2) Liberating Hope! Daring to Renew the Mainline Church by Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble

March 27:
Readings:
1) One of the following books on leadership

a. Church Leadership by Lovett Weems, Jr
b. The Equipping Pastor by R. Paul Stevens and Phil Collins
c. Leadership for a Changing Church: Charting the Shape of the River by Robert Dale
d. Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders by Gilbert Rendle
e. Leading the Congregation: Caring for Yourself While Serving the People by Roger Heuser and Norm Shawchuck
f. Tilt: Small Shifts in Leadership that Make a Big Difference by Erik Rees and Jeff Jernigan

2) Either:

a. Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches by Christian A. Schwartz, or
b. Beyond the Ordinary: 10 Strengths of U.S. Congregations by Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce

3) Leadership paper due

April 17:
Readings: “The People on the Way” by Dwight J Zscheile (Online PDF)

Wrap-up
Course paper due.

Section 2:

After a quick review of the theologically prescribed tasks of the local church and prevailing wisdom about organizational innovation, the class will dive into the rapidly growing (and desperately needed) literature on congregational renewal. Indeed, we will read, comparatively analyze and discuss, from the point of view of one’s own ministry setting, seven different approaches to congregational renewal. The approaches all come from among those receiving wide, popular attention today.

This is a reading course!  Keeping up with the readings in order to fully participate in the in-class discussions is essential (and 30% of grade).  There will be several, very brief (1 – 2 pages) reflection papers to further facilitate class discussion (10% of grade).  There will be a short mid-semester paper (10 pages maximum) relating readings on leadership to readings on congregational renewal and to one’s own leadership style (20% of grade).  There will also be a final paper (12 -- 17 pages) due at the end of the semester comparing approaches to congregational renewal and relating them to a student’s ministry setting (40% of grade).
Online and handout reading will be provided by the instructor.  Students are responsible for securing all other books (most of which are available used on Amazon.com

January 26:
Reading:  “The Purpose of the Church” by David Schuller  (Online PDF)

Short written reflection:  Find a piece about your denomination’s understanding of the marks/signs/purposes of a local congregation and compare it Schuller’s piece and your own personal understanding (2 pages max)

February 2:   “Institutional Change and the Globalization of Theological Education” by
           David Roozen (Online PDF)

February 9:
Reading: Choose one or the other: 

1. Can Our Church Live by Alice Mann, or
2. Strategies for Change by Lyle Schaller

Short written reflection:  What three things in your reading of Mann or Schaller most resonated with the situation in your own ministry setting, and why?

February 16:  Reading-- Missional Renaissance:  Changing the Scorecard for the Church by Reggie McNeal

February 23: Reading --  Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass.

March 1:  Readings --   Sacred Strategies:  Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary by Aron,
Hoffman and Kelman

March 8:  Catch-up

March 15:
            Readings:

1.  One of the following books on leadership
   1. Church Leadership by Lovett Weems, Jr
   2. The Equipping Pastor by R. Paul Stevens and Phil Collins
   3. Leadership for a Changing Church:  Charting the Shape of the River by Robert Dale
   4. Leading Change in the Congregation:  Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders by Gilbert Rendle
   5. Leading the Congregation:  Caring for Yourself While Serving the People by Roger Heuser and Norm Shawchuck
   6. Tilt:  Small Shifts in Leadership that Make a Big Difference by Erik Rees and Jeff Jernigan

March 22:  Catch-up

March 29:  Reading – Liberating Hope! Daring to Renew the Mainline Church by Michael Piazza and Cameron Trimble

April 12:  Reading – Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches by Christian A. Schwartz. 

April 19:  Reading --  Beyond the Ordinary:  10 Strengths of U.S. Congregations by Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce

April 26:  Reading --  “The People on the Way” by Dwight J Zscheile (Online PDF)
           
May 3:  Catch-up

May 10: Wrap-up
Course paper due.