Course descriptions and scheduling are subject to change by administrative decision. See course offerings booklet for current offerings. Some courses will be offered on a two- or three-year rotation.
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This seminar involves at least three weeks of immersion in a cultural setting distinctly different from one’s past experience. This includes interaction with religious, social, cultural, political, economic and commercial groups and their leaders. The basic goals of the seminar include becoming a learner at the feet of the people of this community, acknowledging that they alone know what their world is like. Approaches to learning in this seminar emphasize the methodology of “participant observation ” observation” with careful attention to personal reactions and responses to one’s experiences through journaling and group reflection. Special attention is given to how the Christian gospel is communicated and expressed in that setting and how it engages the realities of that world. The particular characteristics and requirements of a given seminar vary depending on the particular setting and who is leading the seminar. The seminar does not assume other-than-English language capability, but learning the basics of another language is sometimes a part of what we learn through participant observation. Descriptions of specific intercultural seminars offered are circulated each year.
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Learning to survive, thrive and make a contribution in a an intercultural context and exploring how the Christian gospel is faithfully communicated and expressed in varying cultural contexts are the twin objectives of this course. The biblical concept of incarnation is taken as a biblical model for understanding the nature, scope and limits of contextualizing the Christian faith in various cultural settings, applying the perspectives and tools of cultural anthropology. Students learn to apply the research discipline of participant observation to learning about another cultural community, giving special attention to how the gospel is communicated and expressed there.
CM 635 635 Faith-Based Social Transformation (3 SH)
This course focuses on the work of faith-based social movements and explores strategies for faith-based social transformation. Beginning with the history of the Civil Rights movement in the United States, this course will study organizing, capacity building, strategic planning, and religious practices that religious movements use to engage social issues. We will explore questions like: What roles did religious movements have in transforming societies? What kind of spiritual practices sustained movements for justice? What can we learn from religious movements that successfully address the pressing concerns of their day? Are there any contemporary issues on which faith-based organizations might partner to address?
CM 640 Topics (1-3 SH)
This course allows an in-depth engagement with a particular setting within the broad field of ministry settings.
CM 643 Missio Dei in Cultural Context (3 SH)
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CM 663 Mennonite Faith and Polity (2 SH)
This course covers 1) the history of MCUSA polity formation from the time the denomination was formed from two previous Mennonite denominations (2002), 2) the contents of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective and the Membership Guidelines, the roles of the Executive Board, the Constituency Leaders Council, and the area conferences, and the current conversations about membership in the area conferences; and 3) processes of credentialing of leaders within MCUSA.
United Methodist Studies
The seminary has developed a partnership arrangement with Wesley Seminary in Washington D.C. to cooperatively offer courses in United Methodist studies. At minimum the following two courses will be offered between the two seminaries.
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