This class explores the vital role and function of pastors and educators as “religious educators” in the life of faith communities. We will focus on the interplay between theological reflection, teaching methods, and contexts within the life and mission of the church, and how the work of education and formation can facilitate transformative religious knowing and learning in ways localized and responsive to cultural and religious difference and diversity. Participants will also practice planning, assessing, and implementing a variety of teaching practices and curricular evaluation, guided by the principle that everything in the life of the church teaches.
Class Goals: (This class addresses the following goals determined by the Drew faculty)
Knowing: To know practices and disciplines of religious education and formation and to understand how these are affected by differing cultural religious contexts.
Doing: To examine, assess, and lead a variety of approaches to teaching and learning appropriate to communities in varying contexts.
This goal includes experience or practice in the following:
• To be able to read, evaluate, and engage the culture of a congregation and its community with particular sensitivity to culture, race, class, and gender.
• To teach Christian practices and faith in intentional ways to address the developmental and faith issues of people in congregations.
• To integrate practices of theological study into teaching and learning leadership in a congregation.
Being: To reflect on what it means and what it would take to become a theological educator formed in community and collaborative engagement, who seeks to participate in the liberative and creative work of God in the world.
This goal includes the following:
• To be a reflective teacher and leader who can empower others in the congregation to be reflective and open to transformation.
• To be a Christian disciple who continues to engage in the practices that develop and deepen faith.
• To understand oneself as a critical and open participant in an ongoing theological tradition.
Class Goals: (This class addresses the following goals determined by the Drew faculty)
Knowing: To know practices and disciplines of religious education and formation and to understand how these are affected by differing cultural religious contexts.
Doing: To examine, assess, and lead a variety of approaches to teaching and learning appropriate to communities in varying contexts.
This goal includes experience or practice in the following:
• To be able to read, evaluate, and engage the culture of a congregation and its community with particular sensitivity to culture, race, class, and gender.
• To teach Christian practices and faith in intentional ways to address the developmental and faith issues of people in congregations.
• To integrate practices of theological study into teaching and learning leadership in a congregation.
Being: To reflect on what it means and what it would take to become a theological educator formed in community and collaborative engagement, who seeks to participate in the liberative and creative work of God in the world.
This goal includes the following:
• To be a reflective teacher and leader who can empower others in the congregation to be reflective and open to transformation.
• To be a Christian disciple who continues to engage in the practices that develop and deepen faith.
• To understand oneself as a critical and open participant in an ongoing theological tradition.
- Teacher: Amihan Valdez Barker