READING ASSIGNMENTS

Course Descriptions

The following courses are available in both Class Blocks I and II. Please select a different course for each class session.

1. Community of Christ Scriptures—Dale E. Luffman
   A major task before the church is to develop a liberative understanding of scripture understood in relationship to its central content and functioning in the community of faith. As an irreplaceable and unique witness, scripture witnesses to the liberating and reconciling activity of God in the history of Israel and supremely in Jesus Christ. This course will explore the significance of Community of Christ scriptures in light of Doctrine and Covenants 163:7 and the official statement “Scripture in the Community of Christ.” Handouts and readings will be provided during the course.
    
2. Congregational Missionary Coordinator—Bob Kyser
   The effective ministry of a missionary coordinator is critical to the growth and expansion of a congregation. Every congregation needs a vibrant witness serving in this role. This course provides practical helps in understanding the leadership role, desired characteristics and skills, and selection of a congregational missionary coordinator. Using the principles found in A Witnessing Community, the course will also provide key insights in addressing the challenges and opportunities faced in this ministry. While all are invited, it is specifically designed for those serving currently as missionary coordinator, pastor, or person sensing a call to this leadership role. Time will be provided for consultation in individualized application of principles and ideas presented.
   
   Texts and precourse assignments:
   ► Read A Witnessing Community: A Basic Guide to Congregational Missionary Ministry, Revised Edition. Independence: Herald House, 2003. ISBN 0830911049.
   ► Complete “Annual Missionary Analysis” found on pages 36–37, and bring a copy to class.
   ► Make journal reflections on Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a and b as it applies to your sense of call and that of your congregation.
    
3. Exegetical Preaching—Stephen Hatch
   Explore the basics of scripture and lectionary-based preaching that is relevant for today. Study the historical context of biblical texts, and make them applicable to contemporary situations and environments. Learn the process of interpreting and explaining the meaning of a scriptural passage and how that can be used to develop a sermon.
   
   Text:
   ► Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, Third Edition. John H. Hayes and Carl R. Holladay. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2007. ISBN 978-0664227753.
    
4. Feed My Lambs—Jeri Lauren Lambert
   In the Community of Christ children are viewed as precious gifts from God. As parents and caregivers come to understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to the care and nurture of infants and small children, the question of faith formation at these early ages emerges. What are the ideals surrounding Christian parenting? How might parents and caregivers be supported in this most important work of helping children come to understand themselves as beloved children of God?
   
   This training is an excellent step toward preparing yourself for ministry with new and expecting parents and working for answers to the questions previously posed. It draws primarily from sources including: (1) the most recent research available through the Gottman Institute, (2) authors steeped in Christian thought exploring the issues surrounding parenting, and (3) the rich history of the Community of Christ.
   
   Texts:
   ► And Baby Makes Three: The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance after Baby Arrives. John M. Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman. New York: Crown Publishers, 2007. ISBN 978-1400097371.
   ► The Power of God at Home: Nurturing Our Children in Love and Grace. J. Bradley Wigger. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003. ISBN 0787955884.
   ► The Sacraments: Symbol, Meaning, and Discipleship. Edited by Andrew Bolton and Jane Gardner. Independence: Herald House, 2005. ISBN 978-0830911738.
    
5. FOCCUS Inventory Training—Patti Page
   This class will provide an in-depth orientation to an effective marriage preparation resource called FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study). FOCCUS is a user-friendly resource that utilizes an inventory of 156 basic questions on marriage and 33 specialized questions on interfaith relationships, remarriage, and cohabitation. The inventory identifies unique issues, challenges, strengths, and realities for couples preparing for marriage. Class participants will learn how to prepare for and facilitate appropriate, on-target couple discussion.
   
   Text:
   ► Students need to purchase the FOCCUS 2000 Facilitator Notebook (cost is $50). When ordering, specify Christian Non-Denominational Edition. The notebook can be ordered directly from FOCCUS at:

   FOCCUS, Inc.
   3214 N. 60th St.
   Omaha, NE 68104
   1-877-883-5422 (toll free)
   www.foccusinc.com
    

6. Global Song for a Global Church—Jan Kraybill
   Learn new worship music from a wide variety of cultures and time periods. Discover the stories behind our “old favorites.” We’ll discuss how to introduce new music to a congregation, while also honoring our traditions, and how to bridge the gap between styles of music and worship. Sing to the Lord a vibrant song!
    
7. Growing Healthy Congregations as Signal Communities of Christ’s Peace—Linda Booth, Karin Franklin Peter
   Using the healthy-congregation model, class members will explore ways to develop the good habits of invitation, gathering, and serving that model and share the peace of Jesus Christ. Focus components will include: Public Ministry—what we do and how we do it; Becoming a People of Invitation; Living our Core Values; and Planting Seeds of Christ’s Peace.
   
   Text:
   ► Introducing the Uncommon Lectionary. Thomas G. Bandy. Abingdon, 2006. ISBN 0687496276.
   The Upside-Down Kingdom. Donald B. Kraybill. Herald Press, 2003. ISBN 0836192362.
   
    
8. Hospitality: Sharing God’s Welcome—John Wight
   What would our evangelism look like if we considered a stranger—someone not like us: who did not believe like us, whose life was very different than ours, whose opinions were strange to us, and whose appearance or language or economic status was foreign to us—as a guest of Christ or even as Christ himself? What would our evangelism look like if we saw our role as that of host? What does it mean for your congregation to become a place of welcoming hospitality? Explore what it means to widen the welcome of your church. Learn how to practice the biblical art of hospitality, to recognize the presence of Christ in the stranger, and to build transforming relationships.
   
   Texts:
   ► Hospitality: Sharing God’s Welcome. Tammy Lindle. Independence: Herald House, 2006. ISBN 978-0830912452.
    
9. Keeping Them in the Sheepfold: Youth Ministry in a Distracted World—Poul Wilson
   So what happens when one child or youth stays and the other ninety-nine leave? Hmm...sound like a familiar story? Today’s children and youth ministry is challenged by many demands and cultural issues making it difficult to provide. The world can be a distracting place. This class will explore present cultures and distractions. It will also provide creative ways to use the culture and distractions to equip a new generation of disciples.
   
   Text:
   ► Youth Culture 101. Walt Mueller. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2007. ISBN 978-0310273134.
    
10. Legal Issues for Today’s Congregations—Legal Staff
    Come and join the staff from the Legal Services team to learn more about the legal issues congregational leaders routinely face. We will discuss the following topics: real estate sales and purchases, Houses of Worship Loans, construction and service contracts, leasing facilities to outside groups, copyright and licensing issues, youth-worker registration, ministerial misconduct, and more.
     
11. Live Like You Believe It!—Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith
    What relevance does God’s reign (the kingdom) have for my to-do list or my social calendar? How can we unleash our faith to affect all the parts of our lives? How might the “Good News” preached on Sunday shape the ways I think, feel, talk, act, interact, and react the rest of my week?
    
    We will consider together ways individuals and communities can make more room for the life-changing presence of Jesus, and look at ways to teach or share these insights with new disciples, whatever their age. We will consider classical Christian disciplines, but also reflect on distinctively Community of Christ ways of living our faith.
    
    Texts—Please select one of the following:
    ► Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Richard J. Foster. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. ISBN 0060628391 (a theological approach).
    ► Living Jesus: Learning the Heart of the Gospel. Luke Timothy Johnson. HarperSanFrancisco, 1999. ISBN 0060642831 (a spiritual disciplines approach).
     
12. A Mosaic Generation: Relevant Ministry with Young Adults—Erica Blevins Nye, John Chatburn, Amanda Edsall
    Where, oh where, have our young adults gone? Compared to times past, today’s young adults are missing from congregational life, yet they are a diverse, gifted, and spiritually thirsty group. So why aren’t they attending? What do they seek? How can we minister together? Hear three young adults share their perspectives. Explore together meaningful worship, outreach, and service in community with young adults.
    
    Texts:
    ► After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion. Robert Wuthnow. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0691127651.
     
13. Priesthood Faithfulness—Becky Savage
    Doctrine and Covenants 163 reminds us that “Priesthood is a sacred covenant involving the highest form of stewardship of body, mind, spirit, and relationships.” This class will explore the expectation for priesthood to “continually magnify their callings through spiritual growth, study, exemplary generosity, ethical choices, and fully accountable ministry.” We will review materials used by pastors and priesthood to develop both the knowledge and skills of current and future priesthood.
    
    Texts:
    ► The Priesthood Manual, 2004 Edition. Independence: Herald House, 2004.
    ► Church Administrator’s Handbook, 2005 Edition. Independence: Herald House, 2005. (free download)
    ► Doctrine and Covenants, 2007 Edition. Independence: Herald House, 2007. You will need to have access to all sections including Section 163.
    (Section 161) (Section 162) (Section 163)
     
14. Scripture-Based Worship: A Gathering Ministry of Healthy Congregations—Jane Gardner
    Using a schedule of scriptures throughout the Christian year has been the basis of Community of Christ worship since 1995. Come learn how to plan scripture-based worship, and explore the connection between a healthy congregation and vibrant, scripture-based worship. This course includes practical tools and a review of the newest resources available in this area.
    
    Texts:
    ► The Work of the People: What We Do in Worship and Why. Marlea Gilbert, Christopher Grundy, Eric T. Myers, and Stephanie Perdew. The Alban Institute, 2007. ISBN 978-1566993371.
    ► Worship Resources, Year B. Independence: Herald House, 2008, if available.
     
15. Taking the First Faithful Step: Practical Ideas for Transformative Leadership in Small Congregations—Stassi Cramm
    Do you ever feel frustrated or overwhelmed as a minister and leader in a small congregation? Do you ask yourself whether anything you are doing really makes a difference in the faithfulness of your congregation? This class is designed to provide practical understanding of the small congregation culture and implementable steps you can take as a leader to facilitate and guide your congregation towards being all that God is calling them to be both individually and collectively.
    
    Text:
    ► Entering the World of the Small Church. Anthony G. Pappas. The Alban Institute, 2000/2002.
     
16. A Theology of Receiving and Sharing: Living in Communities of Generosity, Justice, and Peacefulness—Paul Davis
    Explore the emerging theology of receiving and sharing, in which an abundantly generous God acts to create and sustain a good earth. Compare it to the dominant theology of giving, in which humans are the prime actors. Understanding and embracing this emerging theology is essential to understanding and acting on Doctrine and Covenants Section 163. (We will give close attention to the revolutionary call in paragraph 163:3a.)
    
    The peace of Christ depends on the generosity of God being received and shared in the spirit it is given. Generosity, justice, and peacefulness are inseparably twined in communities that embody Christ’s vision.
    
    Texts:
    ► “Freely You Have Received, Freely Give: Toward a Post-Tithing, Post-Stewardship, Postmodern Theology of Receiving” by Leonard Sweet. This article may be downloaded from http://www.leonardsweet.com/includes/ShowSweetenedArticles.asp?articleID=91.
    ► Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life. Mark Allan Powell. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN 978-0802829269.
     
17. Turning the Ship without Sinking the Crew: Spiritual Helps for Pastors—David Schaal
    Helping a congregation move from status quo into sustainable mission is very doable. The challenge is to do it in such a way that energy is increased rather than eroded. This course will explore personal and congregational habits and practices that range from robbing the pastor and congregation of creative energy to nurturing spiritual vitality for both leaders and congregation.
    
    Text:
    ► The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning. Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Reading Ketcham. New York: Bantam, 1994. ISBN 0553371320. (This unlikely text is not a book about pastoral leadership. It is a text that contains metaphors to inform our exploration.)
     
18. A Witnessing Community: We Can Do It!—Jean Brookens
    A Witnessing...what? Is your congregation’s membership growing like you want it to? What works? What doesn’t? How does your congregation measure up? How do you get started? Are you meeting the real needs of your community? What are the support systems that make your congregation a loving, inviting, caring, outreaching influence in your community? The resource A Witnessing Community will be our guide this week. We will share practical, hands-on activities. Bring and share your own ideas, samples, and success/horror stories. Go home empowered and rejuvenated.
    
    Text:
    ► A Witnessing Community: A Basic Guide to Congregational Missionary Ministry, Revised Edition. Independence: Herald House, 2003. ISBN 0830911049.
     
19. Why Don’t My Maps Work? Missional Leadership in a Changing World—Ron Harmon, Larry McGuire
    This class focuses on exploring the context of leadership in today’s culture as well as learning principles and processes found in The Missional Leader. We will work to explore a helpful framework for applying these new principles in congregational life. Each day we will practice a Mennonite tradition of scripture study called “Dwelling in the Word” where we will seek to gain insights from texts, especially using Section 163 from the Doctrine and Covenants.
    
    Texts:
    ► The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006. ISBN 978-0787983253.
    ► The Spirit-Led Leader. Timothy C. Geoffrion. The Alban Institute, 2005. ISBN 978-1566993173.
     
20. Good$ense Budget Ministry Trainer Course—Diane Martin
    Learn to use and teach this exciting biblically-based resource both within the congregation and as an outreach tool. There are a variety of presentation approaches and resource packages available. This comprehensive financial ministries resource deals with earning, sharing, saving, budgeting, debt, and lifestyle. Become a Good$ense instructor or facilitator! Leader and participant guides will be provided. Some work is required before the workshop. Materials will be sent to you in advance. Go to www.CofChrist.org/goodsense for more information.
     
21. Holistic Spiritual Formation: A Transformative Journey—Carolyn and David Brock
    Where does our spiritual life begin? Where is it taking us? What practices form and shape us into the wholeness God intends for us and the creation? How does Jesus embody the journey of transformation and God’s shalom? These and other questions will be explored through lecture, discussion, multimedia resources, and holistic spiritual formation practices.
     

Extended Classes

These specialty classes require fifteen hours of classroom participation. They will, therefore, need to meet through the standard Class Block and Formation Experience times.

• E1. Listening Ear—Sandee Gamet and Co-trainer 9:15 p.m.–12:15 p.m.
  “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time” (M. Scott Peck). Listening Ear training is a fifteen-hour class that equips persons to be attentive listeners when one party approaches them about a difficult situation. This training works on skills that help the listener guide a person in recognizing, accessing, and structuring their resources in a way that can help them deal with their difficult situation in a healthy, positive manner. Listening Ear participants learn how to assist one party without “fixing” them, giving advice, or counseling. Prerequisite: Completion of Interpersonal Peacemaking training.
   
• E2. Interpersonal Peacemaking—Diane Kyser and Co-trainer 1:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  “The restoring of persons to healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth is at the heart of the purpose of your journey as a people of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b). How do we respond to this call? One way is by developing awareness and skills needed to create and restore our relationships with one another. This fifteen-hour class focuses on developing healthy relationships with others in the midst of differences. Discover personal styles in conflict, practice communication skills, help build understanding, and experience a cooperative decision-making process for resolving differences with others while nurturing the relationship. An additional material cost of $9.00 is due the first day of class.
   

Reading Assignments

You will note that many of the courses offered at this year’s Congregational LIFE Workshop are requiring students to read texts and other listed assignments. It is expected that when you enroll for a course, you will purchase a copy of the texts assigned to your class selections and complete reading and reflection assignments before class starts.

Herald House resources are available for order online at www.HeraldHouse.org or by e-mail at sales@HeraldHouse.org or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-767-8181.

The Alban Institute resources can be ordered at www.alban.org.

Other resources can be found at www.Amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.bordersstores.com, www.cokesbury.com, or local bookstores and libraries (library search: www.worldcat.org).

Temple School Credit is given for each class completed by the student. Credit will be applied to your transcript.

In addition, each participant is expected to obtain a copy of The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity by Eric Elnes (2006). ISBN 978-0787985783. This resource will be used during Living Room Group sessions.