Bible 1: Introduction

Instructor:

Pastor G. Richard Bell, retired

pamrickbell@live.com

Summary

This course introduces Biblical interpretation. Attention is given to the inspiration, formation, and function of the canon and to the development of a methodology of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture. The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be emphasized.

Course Objectives:

• Articulate the place of scripture in the life of the congregation and the role of the pastor in interpretation.

• Understand the inspiration and formation of the canon and its authority within the community of faith.

• Understand and apply historical, literary, and theological approaches to various types of literature in scripture using Genesis, Hosea and Amos, Mark, and Philippians. 

• Develop a method of exegesis consistent with the nature and authority of the Bible.Professor:

Required Texts:

• Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth (4th Edition), Zondervan Academic, 4th edition, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-0310517825, ISBN-10: 0310517826. Also available in Kindle.

• John Hayes & Carl Holladay, Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, Westminster John Knox Press, 3rd edition, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0664227753, ISBN-10: 0664227759. Also available in Kindle.

• Bernhard Anderson, The Unfolding Drama of the Bible, (4th edition), Fortress Press, 4th edition, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0800635602, ISBN-10: 0800635604. Also available in Kindle.

• Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation by T. Christopher Hoklotubbe (Director of NAIITS) and H. Daniel Zacharias  

Required References:

• The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, 2010. ISBN-13:978-0687334117, ISBN-10: 068733411X. Also available in Kindle.                     

• Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, Harper One, 3rd revised, updated edition, 2011. ISBN-13:978-0061469060, ISBN-10: 0061469068. Also available in Kindle.

• New Interpreter’s Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha, Abingdon Press, Revised edition, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0687278329, ISBN-10: 0687278325.

Download Syllabus Here

Theological Heritage 1: Introduction

Class Zoom Dates:

The dates and times will be arranged as everyone registered agrees on a meeting time.  Initial dates will include five weekly meetings in between March and May, with no class meeting during Holy Week in 3 hour blocks between Noon (Alaska) and 5pm, which is 4pm and 9pm Eastern Standard Time.

Instructor:

Rev. Murray Crookes

Email: munrahcito@gmail.com

Cell phone: 907-738-8697

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to theological reflection in the Wesleyan tradition. Basic terms, tasks, and methods of Christian theology will be introduced. Representative classical themes will be defined and illustrated in dialogue with varied Indigenous perspectives. The course provides a foundation for further historical and theological study.

Course Objectives:

Students will:

• Articulate their understanding of faith, sin, salvation, grace, and the place of doctrine in the life of the Church.

• Understand and use classical theological terms and themes.

• Critically consider the sources of theological reflection, including scripture, tradition, experience and reason.

• Reflect theologically as a resource for pastoral ministry.

• Explore theological concepts of Creation, Atonement, and Stewardship in dialogue with Indigenous and personal understandings.

Download Syllabus Here

Formation & Discipleship 

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Transformative Leadership

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Bible II: Torah & Israel’s History 

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Theological Heritage II: Early Church 

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Worship & Sacraments 

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Administration & Polity

Instructor:

Rev. Jodie Flessner and TBD

Course Description:

This course focuses on the importance of developing competency as an administrator in a United Methodist congregation.

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to

• Articulate a Biblical and theological understanding of polity.

• Understand and explain the polity of The United Methodist Church, including conferencing, oversight, and discipline.

• Articulate the nature of stewardship Biblically and theologically.

• Identify techniques and develop skills as effective administrators of local churches, including financial management.

Required Texts:

Laceye Warner, The Method of our Mission

Lovett Weems, Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit

Reference:

2024 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church

Bible III: Gospels 

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Theological Heritage III: Medieval-Reformation 

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Congregational Care

Description: 

This course introduces students to practices of congregational care and the pastor’s responsibility in caregiving in a variety of situations.  Readings, class experiences, prerecording’s, movies, videos and course assignments are designed to deepen the students’ appreciation for the collaborative ministries of the pastor and the congregation, with a particular focus on working with Native American persons. 

Goals:

Students will be able to:

• Implement and oversee appropriate types of care in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and homes.

• Organize caring ministries within the congregation. 

• Reflect on and practice skills of sensitive caregiving, using role play and analysis of case studies/verbatims, and how to keep appropriate records. 

• Discern and implement appropriate boundaries, knowing when and to whom to refer people, and when and when not to share information.

• Comprehend and use the gifts that each student brings to congregational care.

• Develop skills of listening, pastoral presence, and empowerment of others that are shaped by the cultural and local context and by the Gospel.

• Implement appropriate boundaries and develop further awareness of self-care.

Overview:

The course has five separate segments, the first focuses on understanding the value of story; the second Native American concepts in counseling  and planning for the Advent season; African American Pastoral Care and Listening Skills; Assessment and Crisis and its importance in congregational care;  and Recognizing patterns in congregational life regarding grief, change, conflict and trauma. 

Books under review for Required Reading:

Keep Going: The Act of Perseverance Joseph Marshall III, Sterling Ethos: New York, 2006. 

Women Out of Order: Risking Change and Creating Care in a Multicultural World Editors Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner & Teresa Snorton Fortress Press 2010

• Read Chapter 6 (included in the email)

African American Pastoral Care and Counseling: The politics of oppression and empowerment Ed Wimberly.

Crisis Counseling in the CongregationLarry Webb, Abingdon Press, 2011.

Other books under review for recommended are:

Duran, Eduardo. Healing the Soul Wound: Counseling with American Indians and other Native Peoples. Teachers College, 2006. 

 Jackson, Cari. The Gift to Listen the Courage to Hear. Augsburg, 2003.

Justes, Emma. Please Don’t Tell: What to do with the Secrets People Share. Abingdon, 2014.

Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler. Crucial Conversations. McGraw Hill, 2012.

Richardson, Ronald. Creating a Healthier Church. Augsburg, 1996. 

Rogers, Dalene Fuller. Pastoral Care for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Healing the Shattered Soul. Routledge, 2002.

Scheib, Karen. Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of Our lives. Abingdon, 2016. 

The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict, 2nd edition. Arbinger Institute, 2015

Preaching 

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Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms & Wisdom Lit

Class information coming soon.

Theological Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement 

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Mission 

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Instructor:

Michelle Oberwise Lacock

Email: mlacock54@gmail.com

Cell phone: (630) 336-2317

Course Description and Objectives:

COS 424 ETHICS introduces the biblical and theological bases for Christian behavior, emphasizing the pastoral skills needed for moral leadership in the congregation and community.

Students will be able to:

• Articulate a biblical and theological basis for ethical thinking and moral behavior and distinguish major approaches to ethical reasoning.

• Comprehend the relationship between their personal stories, pastoral vocation, local contexts, and responsibility as moral leaders.

• Develop a Christian framework for moral reason and action and apply it to the use of power and the setting of boundaries in ministry.

• Demonstrate familiarity with and make use of the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church as a resource for ethical reflection and action.

• We will examine Native American ethical stance/beliefs, with a particular emphasis on ecological ethics.   

• Ethical way of life in light of Wesley’s three simple rules.

Text Book List:

• A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Well. Luke Bretherton 2023 Cambridge United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

• Gonna Trouble the Water: Ecojustice, Water and Environmental Racism by Miguel A De La Torre 2021, Pilgrim Press.

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 1997 Amber-Allen Publishing.

• Three Simple Rules Rueben Job 2007 Abingdon Press.

Chapters from these books will be provided:

• Chapter 2 from Coming Full Circle Steven Charleston and Elaine Robinson

• A Liberative Approach Miguel A De La Torre, Fortress Press 2013 (one chapters)

• Professional Sexual Ethics by Pat Jung and Darryl Stephens (One chapter)

• Chaplains as Partners in Medical Decision-Making: case studies in Healthcare chaplaincy by Jeanne Wirpsa and Karen Pugliese (one chapter)

• Living with Grief series: Ethics: A Case Study Approach by Hospice Foundation of America (one chapter)

 Supplemental Books

• Professional Sexual Ethics: A Holistic Ministry Approach by Patricia Beattie Jung and Darryl W. Stephens

• The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living by Joseph Marshall III

• Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition 2nd Updated ed. Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Laura Roppe

Reference Books:

• 2020/24 The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church

• 2024 The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist: Social Principles

• First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs: An Indigenous Bible Translation 2025

• First Nations version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament 2021

Download Syllabus Here

Bible V: Acts, Epistles & Revelation 

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Theology in the Contemporary Church 

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Evangelism 

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Theological Reflection on the Practice of Ministry

Instructor:

Rev. Dr. Jerome (Jerry) DeVine

Email: mustangrev2018@gmail.com

Cell phone: 810-247-7601

Course Description and Objectives:

This course is the culmination of the student’s basic course of study and experience in ministry.  Its focus is the integration of the biblical, theological, and practical aspects of ministry. 

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Articulate what they have learned over their years in COS and pastoral ministry about pastoral identity, practices of ministry and the knowledge/skills needed for ministry.

• State clearly the mission of the Church and how it relates to pastoral ministry.

• Articulate a Trinitarian theology for the practice of ministry.

• Develop a plan for continued growth.

Required texts:

Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, by Will Willimon

Introducing the Practice of Ministry, by Kathleen Cahalan

Attentive to God: Thinking Theologically in Ministry, by Ellen Blue and Charles Wood

Coming Full Circle: Constructing Native Christian Theology, editors: Steven Charleston and Elaine A. Robinson [select one chapter for this course]