MM500: Spirituality and Mission (4
units)
Stephanie M.
Smith, Assistant Professor of Spirituality and Theology
Winter 2006 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to enhance the personal and spiritual development of
students in preparation for cross-cultural ministry. The approach to spiritual
formation will be three-fold: (1) students will be exposed to various beliefs
and practices of spirituality and mission from throughout the Christian
tradition; (2) students will reflect upon their own faith and practice in
dialogue with these traditions; (3) students will engage in a variety of
spiritual practices and readings in order to enlarge ways of thinking about the
self, God, community, and mission.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
• Students will gain a
sympathetic understanding of Christian traditions and practices of western and
non-western cultures.
• Students will reflect upon their own spiritual
traditions and personal formation within the broader context of Christian
spiritual traditions.
• Students will engage in a variety of spiritual practices and readings
in order to enlarge ways of thinking about the self, God, community, and
mission.
COURSE FORMAT: Class format
will use a variety of approaches: lecture, storytelling, video clips, class
discussion, and small groups.
REQUIRED
READING: (for a total of 1200 pages):
Bosch David. A Spirituality
of the Road.
Foster, Richard. Streams of Living Water. Harper: San Francisco, 2001.
Lewis, C.S. Til We Have Faces, or other novel.
Peterson, Eugene. Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. Eerdmans, 2005.
Tutu, Desmond. No Future without Forgiveness. Doubleday, 2000.
Reader prepared by professors, including a variety of cultural perspectives.
RECOMMENDED
READING:
Hunter, George. The Celtic
Way of Evangelism. Abingdon 2000.
Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy:
Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.
Wright, N.T. The Lord and His Prayer.
Eerdmans
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Research paper on one contemporary Christian spiritual
tradition or emerging spirituality of Christian faith. Assess from an
evangelical perspective. 2500-2700 words (9 pages).
2. Paper on a novel selected from list given in syllabus, 7 pgs.
3. Practicum: Meet weekly with another student of different Christian or
cultural traditions to discuss spiritual journeys and the traditions that have
been influential. Students will work to recognize the strengths and weaknesses
of these traditions and influences and how they have shaped one’s understanding
of God, oneself, community, and mission. Write a 2000-2500 word (7-8 pages)
reflection paper on your journey and your partner’s journey, summarizing key
points of the conversations.
4. Silent Retreat, attendance and participation.
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required
course for MA CCS program; meets spirituality requirement for MAT.
FINAL EXAM:
None.