Viv Grigg
Use of transformational conversation theology techniques in inductive development together of a story-based theological framework. This is built around experiences of poor communities and poor peoples' churches around the world. These are related to the theme of the Kingdom of God. Includes reflections on Kingdom mission and the city, the Holy Spirit among the poor, evangelism, cooperative economics, theology of land rights, theologies of poverty, justice, oppression, reconciliation, incarnation, suffering, poor peoples' churches etc.
This is (a) an opportunity for developing theological method appropriate for the poor (b) for theological reflection that brings healing for those grappling with the hideous realities of their experiences among the poor, and (c) integration for those who have found a distance of common theological formulations from the realities of urban poor people's faith. This includes the struggles by evangelicals over the last 25 years to emerge a commitment to holism and the poor, without losing an evangelism and church growth focus. (d) The course has developed out of years of forming apostolic orders and preparing people to enter city slums in both first and third world.
The course will focus on building an integrated Kingdom theology from transformational conversations, and oscillate between three teaching tracks, the practical issues met in establishing poor peoples' churches; theological issues; and urban contextual factors. Discussion of readings, and reflections on experiences of class members and some outside practicioners will provide the basis for expansion of theologies from traditional evangelical roots.
1. either Grigg, Viv, Companion to the Poor,
MARC, 1990.
or Grigg, Viv Cry of the Urban Poor, MARC,
1992.
2. either Nicholls, Bruce J. and Buelah Wood, Sharing
the Good News with the Poor, Baker, 1996.
or Craig, Jenny, Servants Among the Poor, OMF Publishers,
1996.
3. Davey, Cyril, Saint in the Slums: Kagawa
of Japan, Jersey City: Parkwest Publications, 2000.
or Axling, William, Kagawa, SCM, 1932
4. Theology from the Slums course reader in library (300 pages of articles).
Greenway, Roger, Discipling the City, 2nd
ed., Baker, 1993, CHAPS 1,7,8,12, 13, 14,16,18.
Urban Trek reader, 2001, (300 pages of articles).
Survey Urban Missions magazines (1986-93) for other
articles related to urban poor issues.
Conn, Harvey, ed., Planting and Growing Urban Churches,
Baker. 1997.
Carolina de Jesus, Diary of Carolina de Jesus,
Mass Market, 1983.
Glasser, Art, Kingdom and Mission, Orbis, 1993.
Tamez, Elsa, Bible of the Oppressed, Orbis, 1982
De Santa Ana, Julio, Towards a Church of the Poor, WCC,
1982
Bong Rin Ro, Urban Ministry in Asia, Asian Theological
Association, 1989
Ellul, Jacques, The Meaning of the City, Jersey: Attic
Press,1997
Keep a reading log of each chapter (approx 1000
pages).
Visit an urban poor church and write a one page
reflection on your experience.
10 minute class presentation from your experiences among the poor.
Assignments of readings and reflections are designed to integrate into a 20-25 page paper, video or CD ROM presentation showing by words, diagrams, schematics, video, or audio-visual in which is developed a "slum-dwellers or workers theology" for some practical setting.
Prerequisite introduction to the field, for people moving to the missions field and for Urban Poor Mission 3: Churchplanting and Revival Movements Among the Poor.
1 Hour. Develop a strategy for entrance and establishment of the Kingdom in a slum. Explain what you might expect in terms of poor people's theology.
April 21, 2002. 92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,00,01,02 , Canada, Manila, US, NZ,Viv Grigg