EDITORIAL

Case Studies

            Ministry of Welcome and Recovery

Kathy Winings

When Rev. Jones, a guest lecturer, moved the discussion to his ministry of welcome, which included blessing the union of gay couples, a serious problem emerged for Dr. Jordan’s students.  How would she handle the following class?

            Sin in the Church

Wimon Walker

Missionary Mike Thomas has confronted an African church leader over an issue of sin in the congregation - but has Mike correctly identified the most serious sin?

            The Plight of Donar’s Oak

Diedra Kriewald

Boniface, an eighth century Christian missionary, faces the decision of whether or not to chop down the sacred oak of Thor as a means of converting the Germanic tribes.

            To Be or Not to Be a Vegetarian

Laura Stivers

Joy, professor of philosophy and religion, weighs class presentations on vegetarianism and considers the implications for hew own situation.

            Should the Church Start a Preschool?

Barbara Anne Keely

There are challenges when a lay leader wants to begin a preschool and decides to circumvent the established process.  This case describes how one person’s dream becomes a recommendation to session, in spite of the concerns of the Christian education committee.

            The 800 Pound Gorilla

Tanzerina Kennebrew 

Neighborhood revitalization and community economic development initiatives can have a positive impact on distressed urban and rural communities.  This case explores the complex dilemmas that arise and the difficult decisions that have to be made in order to ensure that the specified communities ultimately benefit from the proposed projects.