My Reflections on denominational coordinates grew up as a conservative Methodist in Ghana and migrated to Harlem and now pastoring a liberal progressive congregation and personally leaning towards more liberationist theology
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON PERSONAL FAITH HISTORY AND LOCATION, I
Please follow all the directions below (including pg limits), and all the directions in the syllabus for written assignments; and be sure to address each part of the assignment.
For each of the “four coordinates” of our Venn Diagram write on a page each on the 4 Cordinates with source attached
1. (denominational,
2. theo-biblical,
3. socio-cultural,
4. religious experience),
reflect on the course readings, lectures and discussions pertinent to that coordinate. Then, in light of this material, write a brief, one-page narrative of your personal journey of faith as it pertains to that coordinate. Be sure to engage the content of the course as much as possible in telling the story of your own journey. You must include at least two brief citations/references in your work on each coordinate. (250-350 words for each coordinate, max; though you can use up to 250-350 words each for both the “theo” and the “biblical” dimensions of the “theo-biblical” coordinate if you wish.)
For example, in relation to the denominational coordinate:(My story)
Where are you personally located in relation to the denominational landscape of the church – including its non-denominational traditions and communities? If you do not self-identity as Christian, tell your story in relation to whatever seems most equivalent in your religious or spiritual journey. Have you moved between denominations, or have you grown while remaining within one, or are you – or were you – non-denominational? How has that denominational or non-denominational engagement influenced your faith journey? Or vice visa, how has your faith journey influenced your choices and movement in relation to denominational or non-denominational identity/affiliation? Your narrative can, of course, be about the ways in which and the reasons why the denominational coordinate does not appear significant to your personal faith journey.
(“Locate” yourself in a similar way in relation to the 3 other coordinates [Again, 250-350 words max for each coordinate; though you can use up to 250-350 words each for both the “theo” and the “biblical” dimensions of the “theo-biblical” coordinate if you wish].)
2. Conclude the exam with a “one line” (apprx) shorthand version of “the gospel” as you understand it at this time (i.e., what is the most essential thing that must be said, that the gospel is about, if you’ve only got a phrase or sentence (or two); and reflect on how the different dimensions of your personal journey that you have just discussed in relation to the four coordinates, in #1, play a part in shaping that view of the essence of the gospel (i.e., how the four coordinates shape, inform, influence your view of the gospel). (This reflection on your shorthand version of the gospel should be 250-350 words, max)
1. What is my story and journey amist the denomination
2. Personal history with denomination coordinate…… I was born and raised denominational. West African Ghanaian Methodist…in an area where predominantly black traditional…I went to a traditional Methodist denominational school. Aggrey memorial African Methodist Episcopal School a mission school where many denominational & non denominational families came and work together to raise, educate and inform their children in the faith.
3. Raised in a multi denominational setting
4. Migrated to USA found myself in the Non-denominational Charismatic setting for 7 years where I met and married my wife who is was raised in a non-denominational evangelical and charismatic setting and went to a denominational catholic school…very transformative in many ways
5. I then went back to identify with United Methodist denomination which is more liberal Progressive. Moved from Traditional Denominational to a non-denominational and back to a liberal progressive denomination.
6. Now an appointed local pastor of the United Methodist