Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

DMIN - PROCLAMATION AND WORSHIP
EM.863 EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF A FAITH COMMUNITY
Participants in this course study the local history of the contexts in which they minister. They
bring to light and analyze particular historical events and people in those contexts, relate their
fi ndings to the broader developments of Christianity in North America, and thereby come to
a better understanding of the historical location of the communities where they serve.
EM.865 MISSION AND EVANGELISM ON THE MEXICO–U.S.A. BORDER
This course provides the opportunity to witness and evaluate a wide variety of outreach
ministries carried on by a number of different Christian groups on the Mexico – U.S.A.
border. The centerpiece of the course is a week-long trip to the border regions where we
listen to, observe and interact with those carrying on ministry. During the second week we
refl ect on their efforts and devise in-ministry projects which reach out to immigrants in our
respective ministry contexts.
EM./CN.867 SPIRITUALITY AND MINISTRY
This course explores how specifi c spiritual practices help to revitalize both pastors and
congregations in urban as well as rural and small town churches. Students consider how
spiritual resources may be cultivated to support the work of leadership. Considerable attention
will be given to examining how practices such as prayer, Bible study and personal devotions
equip pastors to nurture congregational life and ministry.
EM.869 THE MINISTRY OF EVANGELISM
In this course students explore evangelism as it relates to other ministries of the church, and
as it relates to the mission of God in the world. We seek ways in which we can guide and
empower congregations for the ministry of evangelism, through personal witness and as
prophetic communities.
EM.871 EVANGELISM IN A DIVERSE WORLD
This course explores the biblical, theological, historical and social bases for understanding
Christian mission in today’s complex and diverse world, with a primary focus on the ministry
of evangelism. We examine key missiological concerns facing the church, including mission,
evangelism, ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. We begin our study with biblical and
theological sources, and extend it to include various evangelistic approaches and models in
light of particular religious and social realities. Emphasis is given to an understanding of
the missio Dei and the imago Dei from a womanist perspective. Careful attention is paid
to a variety of local, national, and global contexts in which Christian evangelism must be
communicated in word, deed and lifestyle.
III. PROCLAMATION AND WORSHIP
This area of study provides academic opportunities for students to increase their
personal and theological understandings of Christian proclamation and worship, to
enhance their existing skills for designing and leading corporate worship, to deepen
their understanding of exegesis and biblical interpretation, and to develop new skills
for preaching and for their work as liturgical theologians and worship leaders. Basic
courses in this area of concentration are:
PW.801 CORPORATE WORSHIP AND THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
Corporate worship both shapes and is shaped by the theological commitments of the
congregation, but the appropriateness and effectiveness of corporate worship often depend
upon the extent to which worship is integrally related to the broader life and mission of the
congregation. This course examines key theological issues at stake in corporate worship and
explores the implications of “systems theory” for understanding how worship works or doesn’t
work in particular congregations.
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