Course Syllabus

Charles Schuster
Winter Quarter
Iliff School of Theology

This course is designed to help students learn to use the Book of Discipline in subversive and creative ways to help empower church congregations to develop ministry that is both spiritually bold and ethically sound. It is expected that our students will become clergy or laity whose ministry will make John Wesley turn over in his grave and Jesus rise again from the dead. This class is for any who are interested in pursuit of local church ministry or for those who would like to learn more about how the United Methodist Church works or fails to work.

January 4th THE PERSON IN MINISTRY
“What, are you some kind of fanatic?” What were you thinking when you signed on for this? How is the Discipline written? What relevance does it have for us in the church?

January 11th HOW IS THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE WRITTEN? HOW DOES THE CHURCH WORK?
Read from the Book of Discipline paragraphs 2443-258

Write a four page paper "The Most Christian Person I Have known"

January 18th We don’t meet

January 25th HOW TO CRITIQUE A SERMON
Read from the Book of Discipline paragraphs 216-242
We will have four preachers in this session

February 1st THE CONGREGATION
How is the church organized? Read Layceye Warner's book The Method of Our Mission

Read the Social Principles from the Book of Discipline

February 8th THE LAW

Is our church about rules and laws? Abraham Heschel said, "The true church has no walls." What responsibility do we have for the structures and the property? What about church trials
Read from the Book of Discipline paragraphs 2501, 2503, 2525-2538
We will have Rich Marsh with us Rocky Mountain Conference Chancellor
The Trust Clause
Chargeable Offenses
2012 BOD-2501-2517 2525-2551.pdf
Chancellor 10 Suggestions Clergy.Iliff Je12.pdf
Clarification of Case Resolution.2014.03.12.pdf
Deed of Declar.Wesley.formatted Iliff class - lorez.pdf
JCD 96.BOD as Book of Law.pdf
JCD 1094.Kendall vs RMC.2008.pdf
Matters Handled for Clergy&Conf.Iliff Je12.pdf
MPA_MSJ_Constitution_as filed 2015.08.13 28118985.pdf
Outline Polity Class.Feb2016.pdf
Resolution.ChargeConf.sample borrow.doc
Resolution.ChargeConf.sample easemt.doc
Terms of a Just Resolution-Ogletree Case NYAC 2014.pdf

February 15th THE INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY
Be prepared to discuss Barbara Brown Taylor’s book Leaving Church
Assignment: Write a 4 page paper “When was the Church what the Church Ought to Be?”

February 22nd THE APPOINTMENT AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT
How do I carry out the Ministry and Mission of the United Methodist Church?
What do I do? Where will I be? Who will Send me?
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will be with us

Read Millard/Carver The Passion Driven Congregation

Read Paragraphs 332-2342

February 29th THEOLOGY AND THE THEOLOGIANS
“You better believe it” What is your theology? What is your Christology? How are you defined theologically?
Read Book of Discipline paragraph 305 “Our Theological Task”
Assignment: Write a four page paper on your view of Jesus and your understanding of God.

March 7 WORSHIP-MUSIC/RITUAL/CEREMONY/STORY/SERMON
Assignment: Rewrite a wedding ceremony or write a sermon and preach it or rewrite the baptismal ritual in a way that is reflective of your theology and your understanding of the church. Peggy Blocker is the Directory of Student Aid and Financial Services and she is an organist and Directory of Music at Burns United Methodist Church. She will help us understand the importance of the working relationship between clergy and church musicians as worship services are designed

Required reading
Selected portions of the 2012 Book of Discipline
Barbara Brown Taylor Leaving Church
Kent Millard Carver MCGriff The Passion Driven Congregation

Layce Warner’s book The Method of Our Mission

Grading
50 % on group participation
50 % on the papers
No final exam