Unit information: Emerging Churches (Trinity and Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	Emerging Churches (Trinity and Baptist College)
Unit code	THRS20166
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Finamore
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	E11001 Continuing the Mission of Jesus or E11002 Integral Mission
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit provides an introduction to, and an interpretation of, the phenomena associated with the terms 'emerging church' and 'fresh expression of church'. It examines the reasons why such churches have been emerging and provides an analysis and evaluation of the theological principles which form the basis for these churches, and their missiological significance. It explores how new ways of being church have raised significant challenges for ecclesiology, and explores ways in which inherited and emerging churches can learn from each other. The unit offers a tentative classification of emerging churches and a critical appraisal of emerging models, drawing on biblical resources and a process of theological reflection. It provides the elements of a strategy for developing such churches and outlines the skills and resources which those who pioneer such churches will need.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit aims to

1. equip students to understand and evaluate fresh ecclesial expressions in Britain from biblical, theological, missiological and ecclesiological perspectives;
2. give students confidence to be involved thoughtfully and strategically alongside others in developing new ways of being church.

On completion of the unit students should have:

1. developed an understanding of contextual and theological factors that are significant in the emergence of fresh expressions of church;
2. evaluated models and examples of emerging churches and their missional and ecclesial significance;
3. an understanding of the skills and resources needed by those who pioneer or are involved in emerging churches.
4. formulated some strategies for establishing new churches that are contextually and culturally sensitive, especially in cross-cultural or multi-religious situations

Teaching Information

This unit will involve two learning components. Firstly, learning activities comprising 10 hours of contact time with tutors and practitioners of fresh expressions initiatives. Secondly, classroom based learning for a further 10 hours. The lectures will include video and case studies, and reflection is encouraged on students' own experiences.

The unit will consist of 20 contact hours. The unit will involve significant engagement with practitioners in addition to lectures and classroom-based learning. Contact hours are therefore significantly greater than for purely lecture-based units (normally 10 hours for a 10-credit unit at this level).

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will be through engagement in activities and case studies and participation in discussion and interaction.

Summative assessment will be through an essay of 2,500 words.

Reading and References

1. Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R., Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures, (London: SPCK, 2006)
2. Hull, J M, Mission-shaped Church: A Theological Response (London: SCM, 2006)
3. Mission-shaped Church (London: Church House Publishing, 2004)
4. Moynagh, M., emergingchurch.intro (Crowborough: Monarch, 2004)
5. Murray, S., Church after Christendom (Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2005)
6. Murray, S., Changing Mission (London: CTBI, 2005)