RSO 500 - Family, Congregational Systems, and Multicultural Ministry (3)

This course challenges students to think systematically about relationships in families and in Christian community-based congregations in a multicultural world. Using theory and practice, the course focuses on dynamics of family life in ecumenical, multicultural religious settings, with particular focus given to obligations of family members to each other, to their congregations, and their multicultural world. This course explores theological, spiritual, and practical approaches to multicultural ministry, including teaching methods, curricular resources, intergenerational and broadly graded educational ministries, parenting and child advocacy. The seminar concentrates on ministry in the context of the diverse Christian family of traditions with attention both to its glorious internal diversity and to contemporary efforts toward healing its painful divisions. Students develop more fully their own ecclesiological identity within an ecumenical, multicultural ethos. They will acquire skills for dealing with other communions, faith groups, and ecumenical bodies in their ministry and pastoral context and will develop a theological rationale and vision for Christian unity amid multicultural diversity.