Prophetic Leadership Through Pastoral Engagement

Instructor:

Bishop Karen Oliveto ( Available by appointment)

bishopoliveto@mtnskyumc.org

Course Synopsis:

Peter Steinke, a Lutheran pastor and a congregational systems consultant, wrote in the Christian Century:

“Many clergy are caught in a vise. They’ve been trained to be priestly in their ministry and have received little assistance in being prophetic and visionary. The priest is the consoler, the reconciler and the soul friend. Relational abilities are paramount. Healing is the centerpiece of this activity.
The prophet, in contrast, speaks out and is a truth teller, though not brash or cynical; the prophet cares about people but at times may use militant words. Awareness and action are the heart of the prophet’s work.

With steep changes happening in our society, congregations have to ask themselves whether they are responding to a world that no longer exists and whether they have the sort of leadership required to shift to new understanding and practices. Yes, the priestly work is always needed, but ... does your congregation need a more prophetic ministry?”
(Steinke, Peter. “Buckle Up: Congregational Change Isn’t Easy.” Christian Century, 04 Nov. 2010)

This course utilizes scripture, theology, and leadership studies as well as biography to explore the topic of prophetic leadership. A prophetic leader is a person of faith who feels a deep call to be prophetic in a particular situation, time and place; understands the biblical prophetic tradition; insightfully analyzes the present situation; imagines and projects possible futures; and seeks shalom and justice in the congregation and community of which he or she is a part. This seminar interprets and applies these five components of prophetic leadership in contemporary congregational and community contexts. Students will explore issues related to pastoring and prophetic leadership, learn from other prophetic leaders, and begin to articulate a prophetic vision of shalom and justice within their own congregations and communities.

Objectives:

By the end of the course students will:

• Have a biblical understanding of the prophetic call
• Understand the relationship between pastor and prophet
• Be able to analyze present situation, offer a vision of Beloved Community, and identify steps to move towards it

Required Texts:

• Briggs, David, ​“ Politics in the Pulpit”
• Brueggemann, Walter, Prophetic Imagination (Fortress Press: 2018).
• King, Martin Luther, “​Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
• Oliveto, Karen,​ Together at the Table (Westminter John Knox, 2018)
• Quinn, Robert, Change The World (SF: Jossey-Bass, 2000)
• Salvatierra, Alexia and Peter Heltel, ​ Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World (IVP: 2014)
• Stark, Rodney, ​Foster, Glock and Quinley, ​ “Sounds of Silence”
• Thurmand, Howard, Jesus and the Disinherited (Beacon Press: 1996)

Other Recommended Readings:

• Cone, James, ​ God of the Oppressed .
• Heschel, Abraham Horsely, Richard, ed. Faithful Resistance .
• Mandela, Nelson​, The Prophets ​In the Shadow of Empire: Reclaiming the Bible as a History of
  ​Conversations with Myself .
• Swanson, Eric, Rick Rusaw, ​ The Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church for the Community .
• Terry, Robert W., Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action .