宣聖會教會歷史和體制課程

Nazarene History and Polity 宣聖會歷史和教會體制

Course Description課程簡介

This course teaches practical administration of the local church: how to bring people into membership with an emphasis on using the Covenants and Articles of Faith, how a local church is organized, how ministry is facilitated, and the accountability structures that assist us to maintain integrity. In this course, students will learn about the administration of and membership in the local church with an emphasis on the practice of Christian conduct and tenets of the Manual. This course will also teach students about the organization of local church meetings, ministry development and accountability mechanisms. Other issues such as accounting procedures, budgeting, and fundraising will also be discussed. A brief history of the Church of the Nazarene will be included, including the history of the Chinese church in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and North America. Students will also understand the similarities and differences between the Nazarene church and other Christian denominations.

本課程教授地方教會的實際管理：如何帶領信徒加入教會成為會員，重點在於運用宣聖會行為公約和信條；地方教會的組織架構；事工的開展；以及幫助我們維護教會誠信的問責機制。在本課程中，學生將學習地方教會的管理和會員資格，重點在於實踐基督徒行為公約和《教會手冊》的教導。本課程也將教授學生地方教會委員會的組織、事工發展和問責機制。此外，課程還將探討會計程序、預算編制和籌款等其他議題。課程也將簡要介紹宣聖會的歷史，包括在中國、台灣、香港和北美地區的發展史。學生也將了解宣聖會與其他教派的異同。

Course Rationale課程理念

Administration is a weekly experience for pastors. They may write a research paper a few times during their ministry but they will turn in expenses, run meetings, count members and turn in reports every week, month and year for their whole ministry.   Many pastors prefer to teach and preach but the Church of the Nazarene places the administrative burden directly on the pastor. Most small churches don’t have full time pastors, sometimes a staff member would be asked to pastor the congregation. These staff members are often the most highly educated member of their congregation. Members expect them to be able to handle administration with integrity and skill. This course may teach students how to properly master the necessary skills.

行政管理是牧師每週都要面對的挑戰。他們或許會在牧會歷程中撰寫幾次研究論文，但他們需要每週、每月、每年提交費用報銷單、主持會議、統計會眾人數並提交報告。許多牧師鍾情於教導和講道，但宣聖會卻將行政管理的重擔直接放在牧師身上。大多數小型教會沒有全職牧師，有時會安排一位同工來牧養會眾。這些同工往往是會眾中受教育程度最高的人。會眾期望他們能夠正直且熟練地處理行政事務。本課程旨在幫助學員掌握必要的行政技能。

Course Objectives課程目標

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain clearly the mission of the Church of the Nazarene and commit themselves to the Nazarene mission of making Christlike disciples. (Competence, Character)

2. Understand the history and polity of the Church of the Nazarene, its Articles of Faith, Covenant of Christian Conduct, and accountability mechanisms. (Content)

3. Discuss key developments in the history of the Chinese Church of the Nazarene. (Content, Context)

4. Understand and utilize the practical management of the local church, including financial management, and delegate administrative responsibilities to church members and pastoral staff. (Competence, Content)

5. Describe the nature and purpose of the local church, the district, and the global Church, including the financial resources for each of these three organizations (Content, Competence)

6. Explain the purpose of the different committees and positions within the local church, District, and the General Church according to the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene. (Content, Competence)

完成本課程後，學生應能：

1. 清楚闡述宣聖會的使命，並委身於宣聖會的使命－造就像基督的門徒。 （能力、品格）

2. 理解宣聖會的歷史和教會體制、信條、基督徒行為準則、問責機制。 （內容）

3. 探討各地華人宣聖會歷史上的重要發展。 （內容、背景）

4. 理解並運用地方教會的實際管理方法，包括財務管理，並將行政職責委派給教會成員和牧師團隊。 （能力、內容）

5. 描述地方教會、區會和總會的性質和宗旨，包括這三個組織的財務資源。 （內容、能力）

6. 根據宣聖會《教會手冊》，解釋地方教會、區會和總會內不同委員會和職位的宗旨。 （內容、能力）

Required Textbooks必讀教材

1. 宣聖會《教會手冊》 2023 – 2027  

https://www.whdl.org/zh-hant/browse/resources/22596 (網上版/也可與我訂購實體手冊)

2. Frank Moore. We Believe: Articles of Faith: 郭得恩譯《我们相信:全球拿撒勒人家族的信條》台灣燈塔山出版社, 2022年 (請與我訂購)

3. 《宣圣会基本信仰要旨》: 《我们所是--我们所信》(Nazarene Essentials) (amazon 有售)  

https://www.whdl.org/zh-hans/browse/resources/19972 (網上版)

Additional Resources其他資源

1. 楊東川。《衛斯理約翰與大使命》John Wesley and the Great Commission by William T. Young.。台北：永望文化。2000

2. 金振斗著。Wesley’s Practical Divinity translated as《衛斯理的實踐神學》。金美花譯。高雄：聖光神學院。2023

3. 戴維施Davey Cyril。John Wesley and the Methodists translated as《衛斯理約翰與循道衛理會》。楊東川譯。香港：循道衛里聯合教會。1992

4. Redford, M.E. The Rise of the Church of the Nazarene. Translated as 拿撒勒人會之興起. Taipei: Taiwan Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1970.

老師

吳達霖牧師 Rev. Darwin Ng

培城宣聖會英文部長者和關懷事工牧師

宣聖會美加多元文化事工華人部協調人

學費: US$350, 旁聽生: US$100.  

上課日期和時間

7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27, 9/10, 9/24

(全部週四西岸時間上午9 時– 下午4時 ).  

網上授課.

報名和繳費

請直接與吳牧師報名和繳費

Email: dng@paznaz

Cell Phone: (626)589-1445