Mar 29, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

THSZ 9003 Ministry and Pastoral Leadership


4 semester hours

In this course, we will critically examine and practice using the different disciplinary knowledge bases and different types of skills required for service and leadership in the Roman Catholic faith tradition. The course will include some comparison to traditions of ministry and leadership in other religious traditions, especially Judaism and Islam. Throughout this course, we will study and discuss in depth the issues and questions raised by the practice of ministry/service, including 1) the relationship between religious commitment and personal transformation, 2) the relationship between faith community and justice, and 3) the meaning of the experience of suffering. We begin the course with an examination of the context of service and faith today, making use of theories and methodologies from the sociology of religion. Next, students learn pastoral theological tools to assist them in understanding this data from a Christian perspective. Finally, students study and design different approaches to ministry that build upon what they have studied and practiced thus far.