AllianceUrban Spirituality

Theological NYC & The 23rd Psalm

SeminaryDr. Mac Pier Fall 2006

Catalogue Description:

Purpose & Objectives: This course examines themes of urban spirituality at a personal and corporate level. Using Psalm 23 as a guide – the four pillars or urban spirituality will be taught, reflected up, and practiced. The four pillars that we will examine are Revelation, Rest, Relationship, and Reaching Out.

Textbooks:

Babb, Lynette. Sabbath Keeping, Downers Grove, Il; InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Bakke, Ray. A Theology As Big As The City. Downers Grove, Il.; InterVarsity

Press, 1997

Nouwen, Henry. The Return Of The Prodigal Son. New York, NY.; Doubleday

Dell Publishing Press, l994

Pier, Mac. The Power Of A City At Prayer. Downers Grove, Il.; InterVarsity

Press, 2002.

Rima, Sam. Leading From The Inside Out. Grand Rapids, Mi.; Baker Press,

2000.

Scazerro, Peter. The Emotionally Healthy Church. Grand Rapids, Mi; Zondervan,

2003.

Course Requirements:

  1. Perfect attendance
  1. Full participation in community exercises
  1. Four 3 page papers as assigned
  1. Final written project using Rima’s Self Leadership Plan integrating themes of urban spirituality: revelation, rest, relationship, and reaching out

Classroom Policies: The Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary Handbook and Catalogues list the attendance requirements of the school. They are binding on this class. Any student who misses more than 3 classes will be administratively dropped from the class. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Instructor’s Availabity: Dr. Pier is an adjunct faculty. He is most easily reachable at his email address . He is able to meet on a phone appointment or face to face appointment basis arranged via email.

Course Outline

September 9 Introduction: Psalm 23The Power of A City at Prayer

September 16 SacrednessPaper #1

September 23 SufficiencyEmotionally Healthy Church

September 30 SolitudePaper #2

October 7 SovereigntyTheology As Big As The City

October 14 Shadow of DeathPaper #3

October 21 Surely GoodnessReturn of the Prodigal Son

Class Format

Each classroom experience will integrate the following:

  • Weekly reflection on Psalm 23 or a portion of the Psalm
  • Small Group interaction on the relationship of the Psalm and one of the themes of urban spirituality – revelation, rest, relationship, and reaching out
  • Corporate Prayer
  • Examination of an urban theme through discussion or site visit

Lesson Plan for Urban Spirituality

Date / Theme / Revelation / Rest / Relationship / Reaching Out
9.9 / Introduction / Meditating on Psalm 23 / SG Sharing
9.16 / Sacredness / Meditating on 23:1 / Lecture: / SG Sharing / Testimony or experience
9.23 / Sufficiency / Meditating on 23:1 / Lecture or video / SG Sharing / Testimony or experience
9.30 / Solitude / Meditating on 23:2-3 / Lecture or
video / SG Sharing / Testimony or experience
10.7 / Sovereignty / Meditating on 23:4 / Lecture or video / SG Sharing / Testimony or experience
10.14 / Shadow of Death / Meditating on 23:5 / Lecture or Video / SG Sharing / Testimony or experience