Overview of MA in Contemporary Church Leadership Modules
TH7821/TH7822 Research Methods:
The module provides instruction on the necessary skills for academic research, in particular theological research, as well as academic writing skills.
In summary, the module:
- Provides guidance on skills required in both researching and academic writing
- Gives practice in a variety of writing tasks required of a professional academic writer
- Considers general philosophical approaches to research
- Discusses quantitative and qualitative approaches to research
- Considers some distinctives of theological research methodology
- Considers ethical and ‘political’ issues surrounding research
TH7811 Principles of Christian Leadership
The module considers the nature, governing paradigms and practical requirements of Christian leadership as expressed in the context of a worshipping congregation.
In summary, the module explores the nature of Christian leadership, in particular the theoretical principles of leadership, as well as their practical implications in terms of leadership skills.
Examples of topics which may be considered, include the following:
- Leadership paradigms
- Biblical models and definitions
- Measures of success and failure
- Support structures in leadership
- Leadership and change
- Leadership goals
- Plurality of leadership
- Growing leaders
TH7810 Church Placement (40 credits)
The module enables practical engagement with the demands of Christian ministry in the context of a placement. The range of activities will vary, but as a minimum it will include:
- Preaching, or other oral ministry using the Bible
- Pastoral work
- Leadership tasks
TH7812 Biblical Exegesis: English Text
In summary, the module consists of:
- An overview and sequential exploration of the English text of Paul’s 1st letter to Timothy with detailed attention to selected passages.
- A study of exegetical method and an introduction to discourse analysis as an exegetical tool for the working pastor.
- An introduction to hermeneutical principles and methods with special reference to the homiletical task.
TH7813 Biblical Exegesis: Greek Text
This module aims to extend students' knowledge of Koinē Greek and to develop their skills in the exegesis of the Greek New Testament via the study of selected passages of varying genre and level of difficulty. The set texts, which may vary from year to year, will typically include most of John 1-4 together with passages from the Synoptic Gospels (one passage with parallels, where appropriate), Acts (one passage), the Pauline corpus (two passages), Hebrews, James or 1 Peter (one passage) and Revelation (one passage). In the course of the module, students will be introduced to a range of tools and methods for exegetical analysis and to a range of relevant scholarly literature.
TH7814 Biblical Exegesis: Hebrew Text
This module builds on knowledge of an introductory grammar of Biblical Hebrew by using the text of the book of Ruth.
In summary the module includes:
- A study of the Hebrew text of the book of Ruth.
- Analysis of grammar and syntax, as well aspects of discourse analysis.
- Exegetical and theological comment on the text.
- Examination of textual variants.
TH7817 Popular Culture and the Christian Worldview
The module explores popular culture and a Christian response to it from a Reformed theological perspective. Examples of issues which may be considered include:
- Why engage popular culture in the contemporary West?
- Popular culture defined in terms of ‘texts’, namely anything that can be interpreted, such as song, movie, game, novel etc.
- An introduction to worldview, and how popular culture influences worldview in postmodern societies.
- Towards a theological understanding of the significance of popular culture.
- A critical appreciation of a range of Christian approaches to popular culture.
- How to interpret and critique popular cultural texts (song, movie, game, novel, etc.) by engaging the imaginative worlds they project (cf. Ricoeur’s le monde du texte).
- Critiquing popular cultural worldviews apologetically.
- A Christian, imaginative response: creating an authentically Christian popular culture (and what do we mean by cultural “authenticity”?).
TH7816 Ministry in an Urban World
The module explores the nature of the urban world using historical, sociological and theological perspectives. It introduces theoretical insights into the nature of the urban process and its possible impact on the lives of individuals, on social life, and on the environment. Attention is given to contemporary trends in the developed world, with particular reference to suburbanization, and to cities in the Southern hemisphere, in relation to the migration to, and the growth of urban slums. The significance of these developments for Christian theology and ministry practice are discussed and students are expected to relate the module content to their understanding of mission today and to their local ministry practice.
TH7815 Contemporary Church Issues
The module examines a range of issues which impact the contemporary church, and in particular churches in the evangelical tradition. The module begins by considering the changing nature of evangelicalism and the challenges posed by the interaction between a commitment to an unchanging doctrine and ever-changing cultural expressions. Examples of topics which may be considered in this context include:
- The call to the Christian ministry
- Theology of preaching
- Patterns of pastoral leadership
- Men, women and spiritual authority
- Biblical ecumenism
- Race, culture and the gospel
TH7807 Aspects of Modern Mission
Through engagement with key commentators, this module explores the Scriptural concept of mission in the light of John’s Gospel, considering notions of ‘sending’ exhibited in the Gospel as they relate to intra-Trinitarian relationships, to the disciples of Jesus and the church. It explores the Gospel’s view of the ‘world’ and of the human condition.
It introduces students to missiological texts with a view to critical examination of missiological trends. It further provides an opportunity for critical exploration of aspects of current mission practice in the modern world.
Dissertation
The module entails the preparation of an extended piece of writing on a selected topic. The topic, which will relate to the student’s programme aims and learning outcomes, is identified in the context of study for the Research Methods module. The dissertation is based upon largely independent research, albeit under the supervision of a tutor.