MC532/632: Evangelizing Nominal Christians:
What Churches Can Learn From Monks and Trekkies (4 units)
Ryan
Bolger, Assistant Professor of Church in Contemporary Culture
Summer 2008 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
Nominality is a lifeless expression of the Christian faith. It is
marked by ignorance of the Christian tradition and expressed within a
spirituality that lacks connections to everyday life.
Fan cultures (e.g. football or Star Trek, to name a few) will be mined to serve
as examples of passionate communities embodied within participatory,
user-generated culture. In addition, new monastic movements will be drawn on as
fruitful examples of inspired faith. Based on these explorations, various
strategies are discussed to facilitate church renewal.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
Students will:
1. Understand the extent and
complexity of Nominal Christianity.
2. Explore fan cultures and monastic
cultures as examples of passionate community.
3. Address the challenge of Nominal
Christianity in particular church contexts.
COURSE
FORMAT:
Course will meet for three hours per day during a two-week intensive.
Class will utilize various media, including YouTube and other forms of
participatory culture.
REQUIRED READING:
1. Gibbs, Eddie. In Name Only. Victor/Bridgepoint, 1994
2. Gray, Jonathan, Cornell Sandvoss, and
C. Lee Harrington, eds. Fandom NYU,
2007.
Two of the following:
3. Bessenecker, Scott A. The New Friars. IVP, 2006.
4. Breen, Mike and Walt Kallestad, The Passionate Church. Cook
Communications, 2005.
5. Claiborne, Shane. The Irresistable Revolution. Zondervan,
2006.
6. Sine, Tom. The New Conspirators. IVP, 2008.
7. Wilson-Hartgrove, New Monasticism. Brazos Press, 2008.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Journal/blog your experience
of each book, one paragraph per chapter read. All reading is to be done before
the first day of class. (20%)
2. Participate in class (20%)
3. Write a 4,000 word paper
(double–spaced): The paper consists of five parts: a) describe nominality and
how it manifests in a particular congregation, b) explore a fan community,
examining those practices that might be helpful to your faith community, c)
examine a new monastic community, noting those activities that might be helpful
to your faith community, d) compare/contrast the practices of your faith
community with fan culture and monastic life, e) identify practical steps
towards renewal for your faith community. Th.M.
students will be required to read two additional books and write a 6000
word paper. Their work should demonstrate a more thorough understanding of the
issues arising from their ministry experience. (60%)
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATION
TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets the MIN3 requirement in SOT.
FINAL
EXAM: None.