Bangor Theological Seminary

SUSTAINING AND RENEWING OF MINISTRY

D.Min. Seminar #4

Spring Semester 2000

Topic: Thinking theologically, thinking ethically about renewal in the midst of cultural crisis

Assignment:

1. Nobel poet laureate Octavio Paz has written, "We are witnessing not merely a time of change, but a change of times." Be prepared to share a list of at least 6-7 key changes that you would cite as evidence of this seismic shift. Reflect on how religion, the life of faith, and ministry are being affected by these changes. What are the opportunities, as well as risks? How well did your seminary training prepare you for leadership in this "change of times"? What do you know now that you wish someone had told you earlier?

2. Dan Maguire in The Moral Core writes that "we are an endangered species" (p. 13), but argues that Judaism and Christianity may yet provide the energy and vision necessary for "reclaiming the revolution." The "distinctive thermal energy" within these grand traditions, as he calls them, may indeed be "retrievable, create a new moralscape, and contribute to the saving of us, our children, and this faith earth" (p. 279).

In the seminar as we work through The Moral Core, please be prepared to facilitate the discussion of the following chapters:

3. Walter Brueggemann in To Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly: An Agenda for Ministers, writes about the "voices of the night against justice." Where do you recognize such voices in your ministry context and perhaps in yourself, as well? How do you engage in the educational task of both "honoring, taking seriously and processing the voices of the night" and also bringing "frightened persons and indeed [a] frightened system to the practice of entitlement" for the disenfranchised and "those who have not" (p. 20)?