Western Theological Seminary participates in SCUPE, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education, located in Chicago (www.scupe.com). SCUPE offers specialized intensive courses and internships in urban ministry. To take a course, students register with Western Theological Seminary, pay the course fee here, and send SCUPE a completed single course registration form. Information on schedules and registration for these courses is available from Western's student support services department.

SCUPE M305: Dimensions and Dynamics of Urban Ministry: The Gospel in the City

This course, organized as a sequence of days concentrating on particular neighborhoods and the ministries at work within them, demonstrates a variety of approaches to gospel in the city. These conversations with Urban ministers provide a comprehensive view of SCUPE's approach to Urban Work. 3 credits

SCUPE B-Th302: Urban Principalities and the Spirit of the City

Drawing from recent theological work on the biblical language of power, this course will seek to understand the city, its systems and its ministries by understanding the "principalities and powers." 3 credits

SCUPE M304: Christology and Culture

Employing a narrative hermeneutic, introduces Christology from a global, cultural and liberational perspective - and its significance for urban missiology. 3 credits

SCUPE S-H303: Public Issues in Urban Ministry

Examines the critical issues affecting the quality of life for those living in major metropolitan areas. An in-depth examination of the contributions of faith communities to social analysis, public theology, and transformation in relation to issues such as welfare reform, racism, poverty, violence, gentrification and the like.

SCUPE M306: Urban Preaching Intensive

Acknowledging the diverse rhythms and styles of city congregations, takes biblical approach, with particular attention to the prophets and Jesus as Spirit preachers. Emphasis on discerning signs of the times and on proclamation that breaks the grip of urban principalities. 2 credits

SCUPE S-H305: Restoring Urban Communities

Introduction to principles and practices of church-based community development. Presents the relationship between biblical faith and development practice through site visits to effective models and an overview of the resources and leadership skills necessary for effective community development. 3 credits

SCUPE Supervised Ministry Practicum

Focuses on personal formation for ministry by integrating work in the ministry setting with SCUPE's academic course load. A case study approach, provides a forum for faith sharing, self-awareness of gifts for ministry, and peer group theological reflection on actual ministry. It is the course vehicle for SCUPE's internship field education/ministry credit. Credit varies by seminary.

SCUPE M302: Cross Cultural Ministry Intensive

Using the city as a multicultural global laboratory, this two-week intensive provides a practical theology for ministry in a multicultural context, engages biblical study of the early church's struggle with cultural barriers, encourages respect and appreciation of world-views and value systems different from one's own, offers training in movement and communication across cultural divides, and exposes students directly to a wide variety of ministries in diverse cultural settings. 3 credits