Religious Adaptation and the Pandemic Challenge (RS-668)

Course Details:

Thousands of congregations who have resisted changing to meet the needs of the times have shifted toward greater openness to innovation and creativity in response to the global pandemic. It is possible to learn from the traumatic situation of Covid-19 and uncover the dynamics of innovative and creative ministry to effect change in any organizational context. This course will explore the dynamics of religious adaptation and innovative as seen in a large national study of congregations entitled Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations. It will deeply engage this new data, along with business literature on entrepreneurial creativity and leadership, and translate this material into insights for religious leadership who face numerous questions about what changes are needed and how to lead their congregations through change. The pandemic is ushering in a new social reality that requires continuing congregational adaptation. The final project for the course will be to create an actionable plan to continue the flexible adaptation evidenced throughout the past two years in many communities of faith or other ministry settings.

Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS- Ministerial Studies: Beliefs and Practices
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies: Elective

Instructor(s):

• Scott Thumma

Course Downloads:

• Syllabus - Summer 2022