Congregational/Parish Dynamics

This course will explore dynamics of faith communities in and through their life stages. Formation of new faith communities, and the forces at work in plateaued and declining congregations will be discussed with the opportunity to read and research in depth in a particular area of interest. Students will become familiar with diagnostic and evaluative tools for church health, strategies for rebooting a faltering faith community and modes of pastoral and self care necessary for those charged with the leadership/care of a congregation in the final life stages of its mission. Students will research the procedures specific to their denominational tradition re: the birthing and ending of faith communities.