ECO Core
We anticipate serving ministries with open hearts and outstretched hands, ready to preach, teach, pastor, and prophesy! Yet, the day-to-day work of a congregational minister includes foundational aspects of overseeing or running an organization or business that may at first seem unrelated to theological or spiritual practice. The relational aspects of the role of minister will be shaped and nurtured by the ways you approach these practical pieces of your ministry and apply your pastoral imagination in problem solving.
In this online synchronous class, we will consider the possibilities and pitfalls in these tasks of ministry: governance versus ministry, stewardship and fundraising, creating and managing budgets, supervising and collaborating with staff, nurturing strong community partnerships, program planning and evaluation, and campus safety and security practices. Course outcomes include knowledge and skill in these areas as well as understanding of cultural, contextual, and ethical issues and implications. There will be pre-class assignments.
The course welcomes MASC students or students in community ministries.
Course meets: January 6-10, 13-17, 4-5:30pm
In advance of the course meeting time, students will be asked to do assigned readings and to schedule and complete a conversation with a current practitioner of UU or progressive congregational ministry. Question prompts for that conversation will be offered in advance.
A five-page final paper will be due on January 31. The focus of that paper will reflect theologically and practically on one real life problem/issue/conflict that we discuss in class.
Pre-Req: ECO Core
This course fulfills the following thresholds: 1. Life in Religious Community, 2. Prophetic Witness and Work, and 6. Thea/ology in Culture and Context; and UUA MFC Competencies: Administration and Leading the Faith into the Future
Enrollment max: 20. Auditors excluded.
