Practices of Faith
MS 3XF3/5XF5/6FX6
Practices of faith come to life when you stop to notice them. Practices of faith are ways that we live with intentionality, whether in pastoral ministry, in academic work, or simply in the context of life and a faith community. Practices of faith are everyday practices. Some take place in our churches, but also in our workplaces, lay ministries, neighbourhoods, and families. When we notice and embrace practices of faith, we live more fully. In this course, we will explore how practices of faith enrich our lives when we notice them and recognize their value. We will even explore how “noticing” might be a practice of faith. Practices of faith include groupings of everyday activities (such as honouring our body, household economics). Some manifest themselves in a crisis (healing, dying well). Some indwell our worship spaces but are not confined to them (singing our lives, testimony). Practices of faith influence decision-making (saying yes and saying no, discernment, keeping Sabbath), our approach to leadership (shaping communities), and our personal interactions (forgiveness). A single practice of faith may intersect all of our places of worship, home, community, and workplace (such as hospitality). We will explore each practice noted above in parentheses, as well as others, some developed in community, others fostered in solitude.
This course provides the opportunity to develop greater spiritual awareness and intentionality in our practices, whether for deeper personal enrichment, wiser pastoral leadership, more compassionate interpersonal ministry, or greater integration of faith and practice in the academy. This course prompts you to situate yourself and your community in relation to practices of faith and challenges you to move towards a fuller perspective on how God’s Spirit is at work in and through the daily practices of our lives, ministries, and careers.
As a student in this course you will choose one practice to investigate in a short paper and video reflection, you will gain experience in thinking about and interacting with fellow students in weekly reflections and responses to a wide range of practices of faith, and you will culminate your semester with a full paper or a creative project on a practice of faith that is relevant to you, your ministry, and your community, and you will share highlights with fellow students.
Knowing…
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to…
- validate the practices of faith (from the Bass book) in your own life or community and articulate their relevance and challenges
- identify other practices of faith with potential meaning for you and your community
- evaluate a personal or communal practice of faith in a short paper and reflection
- stimulate thoughtful conversations about how practices influence faith and faith influences practice, and where gaps exist between faith and practice
- investigate and narrate or illustrate the significance of a practice of faith in a final paper or project and through a thoughtful reflective presentation
Being…
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to…
- locate yourself in relation to practices of faith
- celebrate your being and live more fully into what it means to be a person of faith
- radiate the being that God has created you to be and live faithfully into that calling
- consecrate your being in daily ways that have integrity and purpose
Doing…
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to…
- cultivate at least one specific practice of faith, as explored throughout the semester
- illuminate and illustrate numerous practices through thoughtful postings on Padlet
- reciprocate thoughtful responses to other people’s perceptions and perspectives on practices, as exemplified in weekly responses to others in Padlet
- engage in a practice of faith that corresponds to your investigation or creative exploration in your final paper or project, and captivate fellow classmates with your presentation
- stimulate further personal and communal application for this practice in life and ministry