Unit information: Urban Ministry and Mission in 2013/14

Unit name	Urban Ministry and Mission
Unit code	THRS30159
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Reverend Dr. Corrie
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit critically explores the challenges the Christian Church faces in the 21C British urban context. Analysis and critique will be made of how, through a model of holistic mission, the church engages with urban poverty and social deprivation; cultural, racial and religious diversity; business communities, commercialisation and urban prosperity; community development; economic, social and political structures; and urban regeneration initiatives. The range of urban theologies will be reviewed and critiqued, creative approaches to evangelism will be explored, models of church planting will be examined, examples of collaboration between government and faith communities will be highlighted, and church initiatives such as Faith in the City will be critically evaluated. The unit gives students some direct experience of current initiatives through creative collaboration with urban projects. Recognition is given to the global context of urban realities and how globalisation impacts the identity of British cities.

The Unit aims to give students:

• the necessary critical tools and understanding to enable them to develop a theological and missiological response to the challenges of urban ministry and mission in contemporary Britain.
• a vision for the possibilities of prophetic hope, human renewal and community regeneration through the Christian gospel.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should have:

• developed an informed and critical awareness of the challenges of the social, economic, cultural and religious dimensions which the urban context presents to the church’s ministry and mission, and researched in some depth one aspect of this.
• critically explored the range of approaches to Urban Theology and begun to develop their own theological framework of appropriate contextualisation.
• identified the particular skills, sensitivities and abilities in leadership, ministry and mission which are necessary to urban contexts
• understood the importance of strategic collaboration with government agencies, networks and other religious institutions for the corporate wellbeing of the city.
• begun to define a strategy with specific goals and objectives which are essential to the task of urban mission.
• critically examined models for urban church planting.

Teaching Information

The unit will include a mix of lectures and seminars, some of which will involve critical engagement with experts and practitioners. There will be engagement with some involved in developing urban based projects. There will be opportunity for a visit to an urban context where the church has a contextual and innovative approach to its mission, and there will be critical reflection on that visit. Video and internet material will be used where appropriate, and personal research and reflection will be encouraged through prior reading and classroom discussion.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will be through preparation for classes and participation, with tutor feedback, in class discussions and seminars.

Summative assessment will be through an essay or written project of 3,000 words.

Reading and References

• Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on Urban Priority Areas, Faith in the City - A Call for Action by Church and Nation: Report of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on Urban Priority Areas (Church House Publishing, 1985)
• Ballard, P.H., ed., The Church at the Centre of the City, (Epworth Press, 2008)
• Davey, A., ed., Crossover City: Resources for Urban Mission and Transformation (Continuum, 2010)
• Commission on Urban Life and Faith, Faithful Cities: A Call for Celebration, Vision and Justice (Methodist Publishing House, 2006)
• Garner, R., Facing the City: Urban Mission in the 21st Century (SCM, 2004)
• Green, L., Urban Ministry and the Kingdom of God (SPCK, 2003)