Academic Catalog 2010-2011 - Union Presbyterian Seminary

Union Presbyterian Seminary Academic Catalog 2010-2011PRA116 Love and Grace. This course will explore the relationship between psychosocial perspectives onhuman love and a variety of Reformed theological perspectives on the grace of God.Fall 2010.COURSESPRA119 The Christian Year. The foundation of the Christian Year is Sunday–the Lord‘s Day. What is essentialto Lord‘s Day worship? How does the lectionary shape the liturgical themes of each season? What about AshWednesday? Holy Week? Services for Wholeness? All Saints? We will look at these questions historically andtheologically, but also with an emphasis on learning specific skills necessary for those who will preside at theLord‘s Supper, baptize, confirm, preach, and lead worship on Sundays and other occasions of the Christian Year.PRA123 The Landscape of Religious Leadership. What does it mean to be a religious leader? How do theBible, theology, history, and liturgy shape an appropriate understanding of the nature, purpose, and practice ofreligious leadership? Using these frameworks, as well as contemporary writings on leadership, this seminar willassist students in understanding better the opportunities and challenges facing religious leaders in a changingchurch and world. Considerable attention will also be given to congregational dynamics, conflict management,the transition from seminary to first call, and how to care for self and others in appropriate ways as an importantpart of being a religious leader.Fall 2010, 2011.PRA124 Pastoral Care with Men. The purpose of this course is to seek to understand the peculiar anxietiescharacteristic of male development in modern American culture. The readings will explore male depression, aggression,and sexuality and the church’s role in reinterpreting male myths that distort the divine intention formasculine identity and for redemptive male-female relationships. Barth, Dittes, and Tennis will guide theologicalexploration, while Levinson, Bly, and Keen will provide psycho-social correctives.January 2011, May 2012.PRA128 Pastoral Care and Spiritual Development. This course is designed to prepare prospective churchleaders to engage in the spiritual development of themselves, individual church members, and their congregations.Special emphasis will be placed on Reformed piety and contemporary spiritual disciplines.TBA.PRA130 Introduction to Church Business Administration. Designed for future pastors and Christianeducators, this course explores practices of business administration in congregational life, including stewardship,budgeting, financial management, strategic planning, working with church staff and volunteers, legal andtax matters in ministry, information management, and property management. With these topics, attention willbe given to theological and ministerial dimensions of church business administration.January 2012.PRA134 Practical Evangelism. This course meets the requirements for ordination in the United MethodistChurch, and is open to all students. It includes a biblical, theological, and historical overview of making disciplesas sanctification, mission, and evangelism; implications of covenant discipleship groups on congregationalevangelism and mission; and practical methods of covenant discipleship that lead to faith formation, as well ascommunity growth and outreach.Spring 2011.PRA135 Reformed Worship. Enrollment limited to 20. This course examines the distinctive liturgical andsacramental traditions of the Reformed family of churches, with particular emphasis upon the history, theologyand practice of worship in the presbyterian Church (USA). The course will focus on the Directory for Worshipand is particularly intended for MACE students preparing for service to the church as well as those preparing forPC(USA) standard ordination examination in worship and sacraments.TBA.3-16