Course Textbook List

Find the list of course texts for upcoming terms here. Please note that sometimes textbook lists may change between course registration and the beginning of the term. For any textbooks you purchase, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with your bookseller's return policy. You may also want to consult the Wiggin Library course reserves page.

*Any courses available as ebooks from the Wiggin Library are marked with an asterisk.

Spring 2023

• On-Campus Tuesday, February 7th
  • Signature Course - Vocational Studies 2: Communities [Rogers] - 3 credits, plus 3 credit internship, Zoom meetings Thursdays, 3-5 PM
    • Lewis, Stephen, et al. Another Way Living and Leading Change on Purpose. Chalice Press, 2020.*
    • Rahnema, Mitra, ed. Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power inMinistry (Skinner House Press, 2017) (MFC Reading List)
  • Signature Course - Leadership Studies 2: Administration [Kirk] - 3 credits, plus 3 credit internship, Zoom meetings Thursdays, 3-5 PM
    • McGonigal, Jane. Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything - Even Things That Seem Impossible Today (2022). Available in paperback, e-book/kindle, and audible. 
    • brown, adrienne maree. Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation (2021). Available in paperback and e-book/kindle.*
  • Introduction to Pastoral Ministry [Taylor] - 3 credits, Zoom meetings Wednesdays, 7-9 PM 
    • Buhuro, Danielle J. Spiritual Care in an Age of #BlackLivesMatter: Examining the Spiritual and Prophetic Needs of African Americans in a Violent America.*
    • Doehring, Carrie. The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach (2015 revised edition).* MAKE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT EDITION
    • Kujawa-Holbrook, Sheryl, Montagno, Karen. Injustice and the Care of Souls: Taking Oppression Seriously in Pastoral Care. 
    • Law, Eric H.F. The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community.*
    • Leas, Speed B. Discover Your Conflict Management Style.*
    • McGarrah Sharp, Melinda. Misunderstanding Stories: Toward a Postcolonial Pastoral Theology.*

The above books are required reading for the course. All books are assigned in their entirety. Additional articles and chapters will be assigned and available via Populi once the semester begins.

• On-Campus Wednesday, January 26
  • Pedagogy for Social Change: The Method is the Message [Rogers] – 3 credits, Zoom meetings Mondays, 3- 5 PM 
    • Atkins, Catherine. Alt Ed. Speak, 2004.
    • Nye, Rebecca. Children's Spirituality What It Is and Why It Matters. Church House Publishing, 2021. 
    • Optional, but recommended: Hurd, Tracey L. Nurturing Children and Youth: A Developmental Guidebook. Unitarian Universalist Association, 2005. 
• On-Campus Thursday, January 27
  • History of Global Christianity [Kirk] - 3 credits, Zoom meetings Thursdays, Noon-2 PM 
    • Blum, Edward J. and Paul Harvey. The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America (2014) - Available in paperback, e-book, and audible*
    • Coakley, John W. & Andrea Sterk. Readings in World Christian History: Volume 1 (2013) - Available in paperback, kindle, and audible.*  ·      
    • González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (2014) - Available in paperback, e-book/kindle, and audible. 
    • Haines-Eitzen, Kim. The Sonorous Desert: What Deep Listening Taught Early Christian Monks—and What It Can Teach Us (2022) - Available in paperback, kindle, and audible.*
    • Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels (1989) - Available in paperback, kindle, audible, and likely at your local library.   ·      
  • Preaching As If You Mean It [Hergert] - 3 credits, Zoom meetings Wednesdays, 10 AM-Noon 
    • Otis Moss III. Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair. Westminster John Knox Press, 2015. 0664261604.*  
    • Best Advice for Preaching. Ed. John McClure. Fortress Press, 1998. 0800629973  
• On-Campus Friday, January 28
  • Topics in Worship and Liturgy [Rideout] – 3 credits, Zoom meetings Tuesdays, 7-9 PM 
    • emergent strategy - adrienne marie brown (AK Press)
    • Darkening the Doorways - Mark Morrison-Reed (Skinner House) 
    • After the Good News: Progressive Faith After Optimism: Nancy McDonald Ladd (Skinner House)
  • Ministry in Times of Crisis [Taylor] – 3 credits, Zoom meetings Tuesdays, 10 AM-Noon 
    • Gunning Francis, Leah. Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership & Awakening Community. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2015.
    • Kraus, Laurie, et al. Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters: A Guide for Pastors and Congregations after Violence and Trauma. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017.
    • Rambo, Shelly. Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.
    • Roberts, Stephen G., and Willard W.C. Ashley, Sr. (Eds.). Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Regional and National Tragedy, 2nd ed, New York: Skylight Paths, 2017. (PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE 2ND EDITION)  
    • The above books are required reading for the course. All books are assigned in their entirety. Additional articles, chapters and videos will be assigned and available via Populi once the semester begins.
• Fully Online
  • New Testament [Beverly] - 3 credits, Zoom meetings Mondays 10 AM-Noon 
    • Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. 
    • Plus any one of the following:
      • Attridge, Harold W., ed. The HarperCollins Study Bible: Fully Revised and Updated. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006.
      • Coogan, Michael D., ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. (4th ed. also okay)
      • Levine, Amy­ Jill, and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. The Jewish Annotated New Testament, 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017. (1st ed. also okay) 
•   Travel Course: Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference: “Where Future Meets Legacy: The Convergence of Theoethics, African Spirituality and Afrofuturism”, Atlanta, GA, February 19-23. More information at https://sdpconference.info/2023-conference/. Additional costs for conference registration, travel and hotel.
  • Required Reading
    • Boesak, Allan. Children of the Waters of Meribah – Black Liberation Theology, the Miriamic Tradition, and the Challenges of 21st Century Empire (Cascade Books, 2019).
  • Suggested Reading/Viewing
    • Byron, Gay. Symbolic Blackness and Ethnic Difference in Early Christian Literature (Routledge, 2002).
    • Carruthers, Iva; Haynes, Frederick; Wright, Jeremiah; editors. Blow the Trumpet in Zion!: Global Vision and Action for the 21st Century Black Church: Global Vision and Action for the Twenty-First-Century Black Church (Fortress Press, 2004).
    • Cone, James. Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody: The Making of a Black Theologian (Orbis Books, 2018).
    • Contreras Byrd, Melinda, editor. Towards a Theology of Holy Black Rage (Africa World Press, 2022).
    • Dent, Sabrina & Corey D.B, Walker, editors. African Americans and Religious Freedom - New Perspectives for Congregations and Communities (Freedom Forum, 2021).
    • Paris, Peter. The Spirituality of African Peoples: The Search for a Common Moral Discourse (Fortress Press, 1995).