IST2063-1-WI14 - Presbyterian Polity
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Jason C. Whitehead
E-mail: jwhitehead@iliff.edu
Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs - 10:00 to 4:00
Course Synopsis
This course is designed to introduce students to the Polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PC (USA)) with an eye towards its usage in the governance and worship of churches. This requires students to become familiar with the Book of Order (BOO) and Book of Confessions (BOC) and their use in the governance, theology, and worship in the PC (USA). Additional attention is given to exploring the ordination exams and Robert’s Rules of Order.
Books for the Course
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Book of Order 2013-2015
– Students may wish to have a hard copy of this book. However it can also be found in pdf form in the files section of our Canvas Classroom.
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A Manual for Moderators
– This can be downloaded at
http://www.pcusa.org/resource/a-manual-for-moderators/
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Book of Confessions
– Students may wish to have a hard copy of this book. However a pdf version is attached to the files section of the Canvas Classroom.
Course Objectives
- Develop a basic understanding of ecclesiology, worship and sacraments in the PC (USA).
- Prepare to offer leadership as Teaching Elders and Presbyters.
- Develop an awareness about how to moderate a session, shape congregational life, and lead worship in the PC (USA).
- Become familiar with the basic principles of the Constitution of the PC (USA) and prepare for ordination exams.
Evaluation
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Participation (30%). Students are expected to read and prepare for classes. This course will also include required meeting times outside of the normal pre-arranged class time (ie – attendance at a session and presbytery meeting).
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Exam Study Brief (30%). Students will develop a thematic study brief to share with their classmates around a particular subject pertaining to the polity, sacraments, or worship in the PC (USA). This study brief will include appropriate BOO/BOC references, as well as other theological sources that support a reformed understanding of the theme. The brief should be no more than 1.5 pages and should articulate a reformed understanding of a particular subject pertaining to the polity, sacraments, or worship in the PC (USA).
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Ordination Exams Preparation (30%). Students will be given 3 ordination questions to answer over the course of the quarter. The first question will be completed by a group of students, with their reply consisting of an outline and/or bullet pointed response. The second question will be taken home and answered individually. The third question will be timed in class to simulate taking an ordination exam.
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Designing a Reformed Worship Service (10%). Students will develop a worship service that conforms to the Directory for Worship and reflects the core values of the Reformed Tradition.
Course Schedule/Outline
- January 6th - Introductions, orientation to the class, orienting ourselves to the Book of Order
- January 13th - (Reading) F-1.00 - F-3.04, The Principles of Order and Government; History and Traditions leading up this moment in the PC (USA)
- January 20th - No Class (Holiday) (Reading) G-1.00 - G-2.1103, Congregations, Membership and Ministry in the church
- January 27th - No Class on Monday, Mandatory attendance at Denver Presbytery Meeting on January 28th (Reading) G-3.00 - G-3.0503
- January 28th evening time to be determined - Denver Presbytery meeting - Montview Blvd Presbyterian Church
- Dinner at 5:00 (optional)
- Meeting from 6:00-8:00 (attendance after 8:00 optional)
- February 3rd - (Reading) G-4.00 - G-5.05, Church property, ecumenism and relationships with the world.
- Visit with Tom Sheffield to discuss what it means to be a good Presbyter
- Group response to Ordination Exam Question Due
- February 10th - (Reading) W-1.0000 - W-3.6000, Providing for the Worship of the Church
- February 17th - (Reading) W-4.0000 - W-7.7000, Worship, Discipleship, and Ministry
- February 24th - (Reading) D-1.0000 - D-3.0106, The Rules of Discipline
- Take Home Ordination Exam Question Due
- March 3rd - (Reading) Students choose one confession to explore and read for class discussion.
- March 10th - No Reading, Final Ordination exam question, final class wrap up.
Policies and Services
Incompletes: If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.
Pass/Fail: Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.
Academic Integrity and Community Covenant: All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate. All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.
Accommodations: Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs. Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146.
Writing Lab: Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments. Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft.
Inclusive Language: It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.
Degree Learning Goals
Date | Day | Details | |
Feb 04, 2014 | Tue | Group Ord Question | due by 06:59AM |
Feb 18, 2014 | Tue | Theme Study Brief | due by 06:59AM |
Feb 25, 2014 | Tue | Take Home Ord Question | due by 06:59AM |
Mar 11, 2014 | Tue | Reformed Worship Service | due by 05:59AM |
Mar 11, 2014 | Tue | Final In Class Ord Question | due by 05:59AM |
Mar 11, 2014 | Tue | Participation | due by 05:59AM |