truett seminary class

Christian Community Development Class

Held in conjunction with CCDA’s Conference at the Hyatt Regency Miami; Oct 18-25, 2008

Sponsored by:

Registration: Fall, 2008 through above academic institutions or Independent Study Program at other academic institutions.  $200 extra class fee. Audit reservations also available at $200.

Class Location & Accommodations: (Miami) We will stay Saturday (10/18) evening in the Homestead Studio Suites Hotel (Miami Airport/Blue Lagoon) at 6605 NW 7th St, (305.260.0085) at the special rate of $75.99 (Queen) or $85.49 (Double/Double), which has a airport van service (7a.m-10p.m). The Saturday evening class will be at the Family and Children Faith Coalition offices. We will leave from the hotel together at 6:30p.m. to attend class. On Sunday (10/19), we will do a tour of Miami, then move late afternoon to the “Casa Chali” (Catholic Retreat House), at 3225 NW 8 Ave. for Sunday-Wednesday morning. Cost is $25/night each (2 per room). Meals will be extra, but reasonable. On Wednesday, you can move to the CCDA Conference Hotel in the CCDA Conference at the downtown Hyatt Regency (400 South East Second Ave) nearby James L. Knight Center, where the CCDA Conference will be held Wednesday-Sunday, 10/22-24. (You are free to find other hotel/lodging besides the conference hotel as long as you can be at all the conference events. The first hotel we stay in is cheaper, but is about 10 minutes from downtown.) Class obligations end Saturday evening, so you do not have to attend Sunday. You must make your own airline, conference and hotel(s) reservations. Notes: If you need a roommate(s), we will make a list of enrolled students you can contact to share costs. Our first official gathering will begin with class on Saturday evening, October 18, 7:00p.m.

Tuition and Fees: Academic registration tuition costs go directly through any of the sponsoring schools listed above. In addition, there is a $200 class fee for expenses (lecturer costs, bus tour, classroom) for students in these universities or seminaries. Independent Study students or Audit Students also pay the $200 class fee. All fees are paid directly to Mission Waco, 1315 N. 15th St., Waco, TX, 76707, prior to class. The fee does not cover the CCDA registration costs, hotel, travel or food. Arrangements must be made with your own seminary to guarantee class credit.  A non-refundable deposit of $100 will hold your reservation. The balance of $100 must be paid before the first class. Class size will be limited.

Conference Registration: Registration for the conference is the responsibility of the student. A special early bird and student discount is available to all participants in this class.  Check out the CCDA web page www.ccda.org for registration details as it becomes available. There are also optional “pre-conference” all day intensive classes on Wednesday, 10/22, which you may want to attend and can be substituted for two of the workshop requirements if you desire.. Cost is $50 for these. Institute information is be available online at <www.ccda.org>.

Course Goals:

1. To prepare students to “exegete” cities for holistic urban ministry;
2. To help students learn to build networks among social service, civic, neighborhood, and various church groups;
3. To sensitize students in asset based Christian community development;
4. To deepen the student’s theological base for urban ministry;
5. To introduce students to “best practices” of urban ministry from around the nation.

Invited Lecturers: (confirmation pending)

Dr. Jimmy Dorrell Professor of Record, Founder and Executive Director of Mission Waco, Pastor of Church Under the Bridge, Adjunct Professor-George W. Truett Seminary, BGU, and Eastern Urban Studies, CCDA Board Member; Waco, TX Dr. Robert Lupton Executive Director of FCS Urban Ministries, CCDA Board Member; Atlanta, GA Shane Claiborne Co-founder of The Simple Way, speaker/author, CCDA Board Member; Philadelphia, PA Dr. Mary Nelson Founder and former President of Bethel New Life, CCDA Board Member; Chicago, IL Dr. Wayne Gordon President of CCDA, Senior Pastor and Founder of Lawndale Community Church; Chicago, IL Dr. John Perkins Co-Founder and Chairman of CCDA, Author, Founder of Voice of Calvary Ministries, John M. Perkins Foundation; Jackson, MS Dr. Luis Carlo Director ATS/NYACK NYC Campus, Associate Professor of Urban Studies, CCDA Board Member; Manhattan, NY Ms. Yvonne Dodd-Sawyer Family & Children Faith Coalition, CCDA Board Member; Miami, FL Jason Pittman MSW Executive Director of Touching Miami with Love; Miami, FL Dr. Mike Jessup Sociology Professor, Taylor University; Upland, IN Dr. Steve Smith Professor of Criminal Justice, Taylor University; Upland, IN

Course Requirements:

I.  Pre-course reading- Amount based on each academic institution’s syllabus. Book list attached. Additional books may be considered. 

          BOOK REPORT FORMAT: (or format required by your university requires!)
                    1. Discuss the essence of the book-theme, goal, purpose, main reason for written
                    2. The main thoughts
                    3. Key emphases- more significant matters of main thoughts
                    4. Contribution and value of book-idea, new thought, new angle, lasting value, etc.
                    5. Criticism- your thoughts
                    6. Questions you would ask of the book or author. 

II. Attend and participate in all class sessions in Miami.

III. Attend CCDA Conference –Wednesday-Saturday evening.  Optional: Pre-conference institute classes are taught all day on Wed. There is a $50 charge for these. You may substitute these for two workshops during in the main CCDA conference.  

IV. Journal/Summarize and evaluate content of each plenary and five selected seminar speakers; Minimum one type written, double-spaced page each. Journal

V. Post-conference Christian community development project personalized to fit the context of the student in his/her local context 

Required Reading: (based on each academic institution’s requirements)

1. *Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical; Shane Claiborne, Zondervan,
ISBN: 0310266300, 2006.
2. *Restoring At-Risk Communities John Perkins. Baker, 1995.
3. *Trolls and Truth: 14 realities about today’s church that we don’t want to see; Jimmy Dorrell, New Hope Publishers, ISBN 1-59669-010-0, 2006 (available 9/1/06)
4. *Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community; Robert Linthicum; InterVarsity, 2003.
5. *Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor; Robert Lupton; Regal Books, ISBN 0-8307-4379-0; 2007.
6.  Renewing the City: Reflections on Community Development and Urban Renewal. Robert Lupton, InterVarsity, 2005.
7. Real Hope in Chicago Wayne Gordon, Zondervan, 1995.
8. Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Mobilizing A Community’s Assets.  John P. Kretzmann and John McKnight, Chicago: ACTA Publications, 1993.
9. Building a People of Power, Robert Linthicum; Authentic Publishers ISBN:1932805516, 2006
10. Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies For Making a Difference in Your Community; Robert Linthicum, InterVarsity, 2003.
11. Speaking My Mind: The Radical Evangelical Prophet Tackles the Tough Issues Christians Are Afraid to Face, Tony Campolo; ISBN: 084990823X
12. Street Sign: A New Direction in Urban Ministry, Ray Bakke and Jon Sharpe; New Hope Publishers, 2006.
13. The Urban Christian. Ray Bakke;  InterVarsity Press, 1987.
14. A Theology As Big As the City. Ray Bakke, IVP, 1997.
15. Theirs Is the Kingdom, Robert Lupton, Harper, 1989.
16. Faith Works (revised), Jim Wallis, PageMill Press; 2001.
17. Just Generosity, Ronald J. Sider, Baker Books, 1999.
18. Planting and Growing Urban Churches, Harvie M. Conn, Baker Books, 1997.
19. Adam! Where Are You: Why Most Black Men Don’t Go to Church, Jawanza Kunjufu, African American Images, 1994.
20. Hard Living People and Mainstream Christians, Tex Sample, Abingdon Press, 1993.
21. Empowering the Poor, Robert C. Linthicum, MARC/World Vision, 1991.
22. The Urban Face of Mission: Ministering the Gospel in a Diverse and Changing World,
Harvie Conn and others, ed. Manuel Ortiz and Susan Baker, P&R, 2002
23. To Live In Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City; Mark R. Gornik, Eerdsmans,
2002.
24. (others as approved)

Schedule:

Saturday, Oct 18

afternoon Check in (Homestead Studio Suites Hotel) (dinner on your own)
6:30  Meet in lobby to leave for class
7:00  Class begins: Orientation and Discussion: #1 (offices of Family & Children Faith Coalition)
7:45  Lecture #2:  Yvonne Sawyer and Jason Pittman “Understanding Miami”
9:30  Dismiss

Sunday, Oct 19

7:30a.m. Miami “Exegeting the City: Church and Ministry Tour” 
12:30  Lunch (paid for by class fee)
2:00  Tour ends/Free Time  
5:30  Move to “Casa Chali” Retreat House
6:45  Lecture and Discussion: #3: Dr. Jimmy Dorrell “Global Migration and the Gospel to the Poor” 
8:30  Dismiss

Monday, Oct 20

7:30 a.m. Breakfast on your own
9:00  Lecture/Discussion-#4: Dr. Jimmy Dorrell “Orthopraxy: Changing Our Cities Based on a Holistic and Biblical Theology”
10:15  Break
10:30 Lecture & Discussion-#5: Dr. Mike Jessup: “Racial Reconciliation”
11:45 Lunch on your own
1:00  Lecture and Discussion- #6: Dr. Luis Carlo
2:30  Break
2:45  Lecture & Discussion- #7: (tbd) “Urban Strategies”
4:15  Class Discussion:
5:30  Dinner on your own
7:00  Lecture and Discussion #8: Dr. Mary Nelson: “Community Organizing” 
9:00  Dismiss

Tuesday, Oct 21

8:30 Lecture and Discussion #9: Dr. Wayne Gordon & Dr. John Perkins: “Essentials of Christian Community Development”  
10:00  Lecture and Discussion #10: Shane Claiborne: “Radical Lifestyle in the Kingdom”
10:45  Project Application: Dr. Jimmy Dorrell and other professors

Wednesday, Oct 22

Optional Pre-Conference Workshop (several options to choose from; $50 fee required)
3:00-5:00  Registration 
6:30p.m.  Call to Worship and Congregational Singing
7:00-9:30 Plenary Speakers

Thursday, Oct 23

7:30-8:30a.m.   Breakfast with Dr. Bob Lupton #11: “Creating Healthy Communities”
9:00-9:00   Conference (Workshops and Plenary Sessions)

Friday, Oct 24

9:00-9:00  Conference (Workshops and Plenary Sessions)

Saturday, Oct 25

9:00-5:00  Conference  (Workshops and Plenary Sessions)
(Note: the Conference does have a Saturday evening session and does not conclude until Sunday after worship. However, in order to accommodate church staff members taking the course, you may depart at dinner on Saturday evening.)

Sunday, Oct 26  (optional)
 

 
Grading Scale:

Based on syllabus from each institution. Late work penalizes grade (or as determined by each university).

NOTE: after last day of classes, automatic grade letter drop
 After 120 days (Jan, 2008) another grade letter drop

BOOK REPORT FORMAT: (25%) (due Oct 18)
1. Discuss the essence of the book-theme, goal, purpose, main reason for written
2. The main thoughts
3. Key emphases- more significant matters of main thoughts
4. Contribution and value of book-idea, new thought, new angle, lasting value, etc.
5. Criticism- youth thoughts
6. Questions you would ask of the book or author.

JOURNAL: (25%) (due Nov 7)
The journal must include some content and your personal thoughts on each of the following:
a) one page summary papers (double spaced) of each class room lecturer
b) two page summary of the “exegeting the city” and “ministry tour
c) two page summary of the CCDA pre-conference (substitute for two workshops)
d) one page summary of each plenary speaker
e) one page summary of each workshop/seminar attended
f) one page summary of overall conference experience and evaluation

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: (50%) (due last day of regular classes)
The project will be chosen with the Professor of Record to assist the student toward involvement in a project that may be personally helpful to his/her ministry context. Although projects differ based on kind, generally each will involve some a) action research (surveys, interviews, background study, etc.), b) assessments based on the research, c) interaction with a local community, d) implementation of a project, and e) evaluation of the project or its potential. All work and hours are to be documented and briefly explained (ex: 11/10/07; 2:00-3:30; interviewed residents on Colcord Ave regarding the neighborhood assets). Surveys, findings, evaluation forms, etc must be submitted with the summary paper. The summary paper should be a minimum of four typewritten pages (double space) and include a narrative of the goal, experience, learnings, next steps, and conclusions. Grade will be determined based on effort and implementation of appropriate methodology, including longer-term impact from project.