To enable students critically to explore and appropriate the ecclesiology, polity and practice of the Methodist church for the contemporary context.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students will:
• be familiar with key contemporary texts on Methodist theology and practice;
• be able to give a critical account of the development of Methodist ecclesiology;
• be able to interpret and apply The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church (CPD) to a variety of issues and situations;
• be able to analyse contemporary issues in Methodist theology and practice;
• be able to construct appropriate ministerial responses to ethical and pastoral issues arising in the life of church and community in way which reflect Methodist history, theology and polity;
• be able to local themselves in relation to Methodist tradition and ministerial practice.
Content
Core subjects will cover:
• Working with doctrine and theology: Building on knowledge of foundational and historic documents an exploration of recent Faith and Order Statements and Contemporary formulation of theology through conference and connexion and Methodist theologians.
• Sacraments, rites and ceremonies: approaches to, baptismal, funeral and marriage ceremonies and policies together with issues around Eucharist, confirmation and membership.
• Structures including Authority, Oversight, Connexionalism, Conference, Circuit and District, Management trustees responsibilities, property and Finance.
• Personal issues for presbyters/deacons including spirituality, support structures, confidentiality self-appraisal, safeguarding, personal safety, stress.
Though a core set of general principles, practices and theology will be covered in the module, contemporary issues will change from year to year. These are to be identified by reports and debates being considered currently within the Conference of the Methodist church. The exploration of these issues will be within the historical, theological, and ecclesiological contexts as well as through current debate.
Indicative topics:
• Confidentiality in the practice of ministry
• The Practice of Holy communion
• The Bible and Authority in the Methodist Church
• Issues of Sexuality • Domestic violence
• Interfaith marriage • The Methodist-Anglican Covenant.
The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church Vols 1 and 2 Agenda, Reports and Minutes of Methodist Conference (1932 to present).
Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order (1932 to 1983) (London: Epworth, 1984).
Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order (1984 to 2000) (London: Epworth, 2001).
Carter, David, Love Bade Me Welcome (London: Epworth Press, 2002).
Marsh, C. et al., Unmasking Methodist Theology (London and New York: Continuum, 2004).
Thompson Brake, George, Policy and Politics in British Methodism 1932-1982 (London: Edsall, 1984).
Student-led seminar on a contemporary issue in Methodist theology and practice with written feedback.
Summative assessment
4000 word assignment.
THMN3117 Practical Theology
Running in 2013-14 at St John’s.
Level
3
Credits
10
Aims
To enable the building of the skills and habit of theological reflection on experience and the integration of theology and the practice of ministry.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students will
• demonstrate an understanding of and ability to use a variety of methodologies in the discipline of theological reflection on experience
• be able to draw critically and effectively on a non-theological discipline to understand and analyse an identified situation
• demonstrate the ability to engage critically with core texts and traditions of the Christian church at the point at which they engage with specific experiences of life and ministry
• be able to demonstrate the ability to engage critically in theological reflection as part of a group and individually, and to facilitate that reflection as part of a group and in written form
Content
Practical Theology/Theological Reflection
Models and Approaches in practical theology and other disciplines
Using the Bible and Tradition in critical conversation
Using the human sciences critically and integratively
