Published on
March 12, 2012
This syllabus was for a seminar that explored the nature of “full, conscious, and active participation” in Christian worship and asked what role Christian teaching ministries can play in nurturing it. Seminar discussions focused on both the content of Christian worship and the pedagogical processes best suited to enhance it.

Course Syllabus

This seminar explored the nature of “full, conscious, and active participation” in Christian worship and asked what role Christian teaching ministries can play in nurturing it. Seminar discussions focused on both the content of Christian worship and the pedagogical processes best suited to enhance it.

Notes

  • Ahead of the seminar, I recommend studying Cornelius Plantinga, , Leanne Van Dyk, , and chapters 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, and 15 in .
  • Morning break and lunch will be spent in communal fellowship with members of all on-campus seminars.
  • In the afternoon, I look forward to individual or group discussions with many of you.
  • Plan on spending roughly two hours of your time each day preparing to discuss the next day’s readings.
  • The rest of your time is yours to spend in rest, prayer, and in development of teaching materials, sermons or other resources for your congregation, college, or seminary. Along the way, we’ll offer opportunities for you to present your questions and comments to the group for feedback.
  • On the Sunday between our two weeks of study, we’ll organize some optional visits to local congregations together.
  • Choosing these books was nearly impossible. There are 29 more we could add! Rest assured that we can talk about many more types of resources, and we’ll have access to many of them during the seminar.
  • We can’t begin to cover all these books in their entirety.  In most cases, we’ll focus on a 2-3 key chapters. Part of my aim to expose us all to a range of literature.
Day Topic Format Readings
1

A-Introduction to 91, Full, Conscious, Active Participation

B- Congregation adn College/Seminary Based Learning

Brief Introductions (Personal, Professional) Lecture/Discussion

Selected Chapters in:

John D. Witvliet, 91 Seeking Understanding

James F. White, Documents of Christian 91: Descriptive and Interpretive Sources

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy ()

2 A-Diversity of Contemporary 91 

B-Teaching Strategies for Diverse Audiences: Evaluating Plantinga

Brief Introductions (Liturgical, Ecclesial) 

Seminar Discussion

Cornelius Plantinga Jr,

Thomas Kane, The Dancing Church Around the World: DVD Collection

3A A-91 and Theology
[altered schedule for Morning 91, with All Seminars] 

Seminar Discussion

Leanne Van Dyk (Editor),  

 website


3B B-The Bible and 91 Seminar Discussion

Mark Ashton, R. Kent Hughes, Timothy J. Keller, D.A. Carson, 91 by the Book

Gerrit Scott Dawson, Jesus Ascended

Tremper Longman III, Immanuel in Our Place: Seeing Christ in Israel’s 91 (The Gospel According to the Old Testament)

4 Survey of Teaching Strategies Seminar Discussion

Each seminar member studies two of these and “reviews” the rest. 

John D. Witvliet, 

Norma de Waal Malefyt and Howard Vanderwell, 

C. Michael Hawn, 

, CRC Publications, 2001, LEADER’S EDITION.

Ron Rienstra, 

Quentin J. Schultze, 

5A Learning in Congregations
Guest Presentation
 
5B Discuss Congregations Seminar Discussion

Debra Dean Murphy, Teaching That Transforms: 91 as the Heart of Christian Education 

Anne E. Streaty Wimberly, Nurturing Faith and Hope: Black 91 as a Model for Christian Education

 Anthony B. Robinson, Transforming Congregational Culture

6A Stepping Back:   Educational Philosophy Seminar Discussion Readings from Elliot Eisner, The Educational Imagination: On the Design and Evaluation of School Programs
6B Specific Strategies: Case Studies, Participant Observer Exercises, Leadership Skill Developments
Seminar Discussion

Visit Almond Springs:  

Ravenswood Project Beta

, Let The Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public

 (Editor),  (Editor), (Editor), Leading the Church’s Song (Leading Congregational Song)

7A Stepping Back:   Educational Philosophy Seminar Discussion Craig Dykstra, Growing in the Life of Faith: Educational and Christian Practices
7B Children, Youth, and Congregational Learning Guest Presentation
 
8A Stepping Back:   Teaching Strategies Seminar Discussion Ken Bain, What the Best College Teachers Do
8B Designing and Evaluating (Teaching) Projects Seminar Discussion Kathleen A. Calahan, Projects That Matter: Successful Planning and Evaluation for Religious Organizations
9A 91’s Wisdom Literature Seminar Discussion Thomas G. Long, Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian (J-B Practicing Our Faith Series)
9B 91’s Wisdom Literature Guest Presentation  
10 Wrap-Up Brief Presentations