CL4550 – Travel Course: The Missional Church in Context – Las Vegas
J-Term 2011
DESCRIPTION
The Missional Church in Context is a travel course that provides students an opportunity to spend
concentrated time in a congregation that is seeking to be a missional church. This course will focus on
the specific context of Las Vegas, Nevada. Students will explore what it means to be missional by
reflecting on missional church literature, spending three weeks living among and leading within a
particular congregation within the Las Vegas area, discovering what is going on in the greater Las Vegas
community, and by engaging in conversation with various ministry leaders.
1.0 Credit
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Each participant will . . .
1. Have the opportunity to discover, interpret, and analyze one congregation’s ecclesiology
through a missional church lens.
2. Become familiar with how to read, interpret, and critically analyze a congregation’s
contextual engagement through a missional church lens.
3. Engage in peer learning through regular on-line and face-to-face participation.
COURSE READINGS
Pre-reading: Steinke, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous
No Matter What, Alban, 2006 and two chapters (chapters 3 and 4) of Craig Van Gelder, The
Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker Books, 2007.
Week 1: Shirkey, Clay, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations
Penquin, 2008.
Week 2: Studying Congregations: A New Handbook by Nancy T. Ammerman, Jackson W. Carroll,
Carl S. Dudley, and William McKinney. Abingdon, 1998, chapter 3, and the text assigned by your
congregational supervisor.
Christ the Servant – The Outsider Interviews: A New Generation Speaks out on Christianity by
Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter, and Craig Spinks. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2010.
Community Lutheran – The Gospel of Grace by Dr. Mark Wickstrom. Edina, MN: Beaver’s Pond
Press, 2008.
Holy Spirit - Transforming Congregational Culture by Anthony B. Robinson. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2003.
New Song - Discover Your Windows: Lining Up with God’s Vision by Kent R. Hunter. Abingdon
Press, 2004.
The Lakes – A Door Set Open by Peter Steinke. Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2010.
Good Samaritan – ??? contact Don Lorfing at dlorfing@gslclasvegas.org
Living Springs - ???? contact Jack Williams at livingspringslc@centurylink.net
Week 3: We Are Here Now by Patrick Keifert, Allelon, 2006.
Post-reading: Jud Wilhite and Bill Taaffe, Stripped: Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas.
Multnomah Books, 2006.
COURSE LAYOUT
This course will have three phases – pre-immersion study, 3-week immersion in Las Vegas, and post
immersion wrap-up.
Pre-immersion phase: In preparation for this contextual immersion, students will have assigned readings
and learn as much as they can about their particular congregation. Students will write a literature review
and preliminary congregational/contextual paper prior to their time in Las Vegas.
Immersion phase: During the three weeks in Las Vegas, each student will be partnered with a particular
ELCA congregation. Each of the three weeks, students will have weekly assignments and will gather
periodically with of all students/supervisors. In general, the follow of the course will be as follows:
 Week one will be discovering what is going on in the greater Las Vegas community.
 Week two will be focused on discovering one congregation’s view of church (mission,
vision, leadership, and ministries) and its missional identity.
 Week three will be learning how each congregation is putting these two into
conversation and wondering what God might be up to in this particular time and place.
Post-immersion phase: After the time in Las Vegas, students will have one final reading and write a final
reflection paper about how these congregations are seeking to be missional and what lessons can be
learned about how congregations can engage their particular contexts.
COURSE LEADERSHIP
This course will have a collaborative leadership strategy. Terri Elton will serve as the named instructor of
this course. She will lead the pre and post immersion phases and will grade, and offer feedback on,
assignments. In addition, a team of congregational leadership will oversee the three-week immersion
process. Each participating congregation will provide leadership by supervising the learning process of
their assigned student/s during their time in Las Vegas, and the team will work collaboratively in leading
the various group activities.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Pre-Las Vegas Assignments:
- Write a two-three page reflection paper on key learnings from Congregational Leadership in
Anxious Times and two chapters. Post on MyLutherNet by noon, Thursday, January 7th,
2011.
- Preliminary congregational/contextual paper - Research particular congregation that one
will be assigned to and write 4-5 page overview based on the following questions:
o Describe this congregation’s view of church from afar. Draw on any information that
you can to get a sense of this congregation. For example: congregational website,
ELCA/synod information, demographics of the congregation, etc. Note initial
thoughts and questions.
o Describe the congregation’s context. Research the greater Las Vegas area, as well as
the congregation’s immediate area. What stands out? What questions do you have?
o Note the missional nature of this congregation. What is your initial sense how this
congregational understands being missional? And how does this congregation
understand it’s participate in God’s mission in its context?
Week 1 Assignments:
- 3-5 page book review of Here Comes Everybody. In the review highlight 2-3 learnings that
surfaced and what implications they have for ministry in our time. Post on MyLutherNet by
midnight, Thursday, January 13th, 2011.
- 3-5 page contextual reflection paper about learnings from the week. This reflection paper
should describe several key contextual elements discovered that week and possible
implications for ministry. Post on MyLutherNet and bring to Friday gathering, January 14th,
2011 ready to discuss.
Week 2 Assignments:
- 3-5 page book review of assigned book. In the review highlight 2-3 learnings, how this book
has connected with your congregational site, and how you see this being a resource for
congregational ministry. Post on MyLutherNet and bring to Friday gathering, January 21st,
2011 ready to discuss.
Week 3 Assignments:
- Presentation on one’s particular congregational context. Revisit the initial
congregational/contextual reflection paper and supplement it with the information one has
gained in the first two weeks using the ethnographic guidelines in Appendix A. The goal is to
develop a thick description of the congregation and the context, seeking to discover its
missional nature and engagement. Presentation will be presented to the whole group and
should be 45-60 minutes.
- 3-5 page book review of We Are Here Now. In the review highlight 2-3 learnings that
surfaced and any implications it has for your congregational site. Post on MyLutherNet by
midnight, Sunday, January 23rd, 2011.
Post-immersion Assignments:
- 3-5 page book review of Stripped: Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas. In the review
highlight 2-3 learnings that surfaced and what implications they have for ministry in our
time. Post on MyLutherNet by midnight, Thursday, February 3rd, 2011.
- 5-7 page missional ecclesiology reflection paper. Articulate your understanding of your
congregation’s ecclesiology and analyze it through a missional church lens. Post on
MyLutherNet by noon, Friday, February 4th, 2011.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Pre-gathering
December 15th meeting of all students – 1:00-2:30 pm at Luther Seminary in OCC Auxiliary DR.
Depart for Las Vegas – January 8th, 2011
Week 1 in Las Vegas – Discovering the Las Vegas Culture
Sunday – worship in host congregation, discover immediate context – evening open
Monday – students venture out to discover Las Vegas.
Tuesday – Group visits, including an opportunity to serve a meal at Rescue Mission.
Wednesday – Group visits continued – evening open
Thursday – One group visit and discover local context near the congregation
Friday – morning open for personal reflection and preparation.
12:30-2:30 pm Cohort gathering (including lunch) at Christ Lutheran to share
learnings about the context of Las Vegas.
Friday or Saturday evening – group “social” activity (paid for my class payment)
Week 2 in Las Vegas – Discovering the Congregational Culture
Sunday – worship in host congregation, participate in any ministry activities.
Monday – Thursday Schedule to be worked out with each site. Things to explore during this week:
Time with staff and lay leadership (council or other ministry teams)
Participate in ministry activities
Interview various people within the congregation – some ideas: newer
members, “charter members” (or people that have been around a while),
people of various ages, those deeply connected (i.e. leading and/or active) and
those more loosely connected…
Review any documents about the congregation (annual reports, website,
monthly newsletters, etc.)
Participate in ministry activities – as are available and of interest to student.
Allow for some “Open” space – for example, if evening there are several
sessions, give some morning or afternoon time off.
Friday – morning open for personal reflection and preparation.
12:30-2:30 pm Cohort gathering (including lunch) at The Lakes Lutheran to
share learnings on the readings for the week.
Friday or Saturday evening – group “social” activity (paid for my class payment)
Week 3 in Las Vegas - Discovering What God’s Activity in our Midst
Sunday – worship in host congregation
Visits in congregations consist of two parts: 1) the student’s read of the congregational
identity of their host congregation (45-60 minutes, using the 9 ethnographic elements)
and the supervisor following up with some additional elements AND 2) each
congregation teaching the group in some aspect of ministry.
Monday – Community Lutheran
Tuesday – New Song and Christ the Servant
Wednesday – Living Springs and Holy Spirit
Thursday – The Lakes and Good Samaritan
Thursday evening – group “social” activity (paid for by class payment)
Friday - exit time: Leave Friday am for home or to attend Grand Canyon Synod Missional
Leadership Academy, Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Spirit of the Desert Retreat
Center.
Post-gathering
Friday, February 11th meeting with all students - Noon -2:30 pm at Luther Seminary (with lunch)
in OCC Auxiliary DR.
Final papers due: Friday, February 4th, 2011.
NINE SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FOR ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY
1.
Introduction to the Congregation
Provide a brief introduction to the congregation/ministry by describing the geographical location of the
congregation in the context that it serves. Include a description of what surrounds the congregation, key
businesses and community organizations near by, and/or other influential players in the area.
2.
Analyze the Congregation’s History
Develop a brief interpretive historical summary of the key events/passages of life/crises of the congregation or
ministry using written and oral resources. Discover important events, persons etc. which shaped the
congregation’s identity and its understanding of ministry. In particular, note the different styles of
pastor(s)/leadership and their primary influence on the identity and work of the congregation/ministry.
3.
Identify and Analyze Make-up of People
Provide a descriptive explanation and interpretation of the people that make up this congregation. Through
interviews, data, and observation, discover the past and current demographic profile. Note any demographic
trends, patterns, and variations by looking at data (from past 10 years, if possible) on membership, Sunday
attendance, and current demographic makeup. Put that information into dialog with what people say about
themselves and what you observe. (For example, are people Lutheran transplants, new to the Christian faith.
How many adult baptisms? Do records say they are ethnically diverse, yet you do not see it or that the
average age is 50 and you see a lot of children.)
4.
Identify and Analyze Financial Data
Provide a descriptive explanation and interpretation of the financial side of this congregation. What can be
learned from this congregation using a financial lens? Gather data (from the past 10 years, if possible) on the
congregation’s financial trends (income, giving by members, expenses, etc.). Are their any patterns or
variations?
5.
Identify and Analyze Congregational Identity - Values, Mission, and Vision
Provide a description of the congregation’s identity. Does the congregation/ministry have stated (formal)
mission and/or vision statements? If they are not available, suggest what appears to be the functional mission
and vision of the congregation at present. Interpret the relationship of these statements to congregational
self-perception and current implementation. Does the congregation have a formal list of preferred values that
are currently shaping its identity and ministry? Analyze the relationship between these values and actual
congregation mission and vision. How do these ministries/programs reflect the congregation’s mission and
vision.
6.
Identify and Analyze the Congregation’s Images
Provide a descriptive explanation and interpretation of any image/s that influence or shape this congregation’s
self-understanding. Identity and analyze at least one of the primary symbols, rituals, or metaphors that shape
the congregation’s self-understanding for ministry. Analyze how this image influences the life and ministry of
the congregation, especially in relation to the congregation’s missional identity.
7.
Analyze the Congregation’s Public Presence
Provide an analysis of the congregation’s overall public presence. Does the congregation have a website?
What impressions does this site give you of your congregation? Is it easy to use? Is it current? Does it have the
information that a newcomer/prospective visitor might need? What other
“public” signs exist? How effective are they in letting the greater community know about this congregation’s
identity and ministry? What is its public presence? What association, if any, is connected to this congregation
in the general community? What, if anything, are they known for? i.e. service activities, community programs,
building location, etc.
8.
Identify and Analyze the Use of Space
Provide a brief evaluation of how the use of space impacts the congregation’s mission. Review the
congregation’s building and its use of space. How “functional” is this building for serving the ministry needs of
this congregation? What does it say about this congregation’s identity, values, and priorities?
9.
Identify and Analyze Congregation’s Missional Imagination
Provide a brief descriptive explanation and interpretation of the congregation’s missional engagement with
their context. Put the contextual discoveries into conversation with the congregation’s ministry activities,
seeking to discovery their missional imagination. Are congregational members aware of contextual realities?
How has the congregation been engaged with its context in the past? What ideas does it have for engaging the
context in the future? What ministries, programs and/or strategies are in place for connecting the
congregation’s life with what it happening around them?