Details for Church in Society

This paper incorporates learning experiences at theological, sociological and practical levels with opportunity to develop a strategic template for church ministry in 21^st century society.

Awards offering Church in Society

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Ministry

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This paper incorporates learning experiences at theological, sociological and practical levels with opportunity to develop to develop a strategic template for ministry in 21st century society.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

1.       Articulate a sound theological foundation concerning the relationship between Christ and culture, and             the role the church in society.

2.       Critically analyse the prevailing world view through modern and post-modern periods.

3.       Evaluate the effect of these shifts in world view on church structure and practice.

4.       Describe the place and role of the church in contemporary society. 

5.      Evaluate personal ministry practice through refection on the principles learned.

6.       Develop strategies for effective church ministry into the societal structure of today

Subject Content

1. Modernity, Postmodernity and the Church

2. The influence of Neibuhr’s ‘Christ and Culture’ framework

3. A critique of the ‘Christ and Culture’ framework

4. Exploring the engagement of Church in society

5. The pentecostal church in New Zealand society

This course may be offered in the following formats

Face to face, Intensive, e-learning (online)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Weekly Forum entries reflective reading (15%, 1750 words); Minor Essay (35%, 2000 words); Major Assignment( 50%, 2500 words)

Prescribed Text

 Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ & Culture. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 2001.

Representative References

Bretherton, Luke. Christianity and Contemporary Politics: The Conditions and Possibilities of Faithful       Witness. Malden:Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

          Buxton, Graham. Dancing in The Dark: Carlisle. UK: Paternoster Press, 2001.

Carroll, A.J. Protestant Modernity: Weber, Secularisation and Protestantism. Scranton, PA: University      of Scranton Press, 2007.

Carson, D.A. Christ and Culture Revisited. Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans, 2008.

         Carter, Craig A. Rethinking Christ and Culture. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2006.

          Erickson, M.J. Truth Or Consequences? The Promise And Perils Of Postmodernism. Downers                          Grove, IL: Inter-varsity Press, 2001.

          Glasser, Arthur, F. Announcing the Kingdom. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003.

Grenz, S. J. A Primer on Postmodernism. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1996.

Guy, Laurie. Shaping Godzone: Public Issues and Church Voices in New Zealand 1840-2000. Wellington: Victoria University Press, 2011.

          Joireman, Sandra F. Church, State, and Citizen: Christian Approaches to Political

          Engagement. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2009.

         Johnson, Neal C. Business as Mission. Downers Grove, IL:  Intervarsity Press, 2009.

Johnstone, R.L. Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2006.

Menuge, Angus J. Christ and Culture in Dialogue. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Academic Press, 1999.

Moltmann, Jürgen. God for a Secular Society: The Public Relevance of Theology. Minneapolis:      Fortress Press, 1999.

         Morrison, Hugh, Lachy Paterson, Brett Knowles, and Murray Rae, (eds.) Mana Māori and              Christianity. Wellington: Huia Publishers, 2012.

        Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ & Culture. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 2001.

       Russell, Mark L.  The Missional Entrepreneur. Birmingham, AL, New Hope, 2010.

       Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids:              Baker Academic, 2009.

       Stuckenberg, J. H. W. Christian Sociology.  Ann Arbor, MI:  University of Michigan Library, 2007.

      Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. Baker  

            Academic, 2007.    

Volf, Miroslav. A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2011.

     Wallis, Jim. God’s Politics. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.

     Ward, Graham, Christ and Culture. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2005