RS101.2 – Rabbinic Seminar 2

Instructor: Rabbi Paul L. Saal
Dates: Jan 12th, 2025 – Mar 16th, 2025
Location: https://mjti.populiweb.com
Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84460196108?pwd=3bJtU0H8x8Kb5vFSmeI3JIhjhGZY8X.1)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
All Messianic Jewish rabbis should serve within the context of a faith community. This course exposes the future rabbi to practical strategies for developing healthy and maturing Messianic Jewish synagogues, havurot, and independent minyanim. Foundational issues such as solid governmental structure, legal compliance, and financial accountability are covered. Other subtle but vitally important skills imparted are how to deal with difficult people, how to handle disappointments, and how to inspire others. All of these can make communal leadership a lifelong joy for the rabbi, his or her family, and the congregation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course successfully, the student will be able to:

• Understand, describe and implement the most culturally relevant format for the community within which they serve.
• Understand various structures of congregational governance.
• Mediate congregational and interpersonal disputes with minimal disruption or harm.
• Prepare congregants for covenantal life and relationships.
• Create safe havens for individual and communal growth.
• Understand proper legal and financial practices, and where to seek appropriate counsel.
• Engage and integrate technological developments if appropriate.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE CURRICULUM
This course is required for the Master of Rabbinic Studies Degree and the Madrikh Program and is limited to Rabbinical or Madrikh program students.

RELEVANCE
Messianic Jewish congregations are living, breathing incarnations of two great truths: the Messiahship of Yeshua and the importance of Jewish covenantal life. However, for these twin pillars of truth to permeate the soul of the Jewish world, to be inculcated within the lives of Jewish people, and to have the impact they deserve, our Messianic Jewish synagogues and havurot must grow and prosper. Therefore, the purpose of this course is to facilitate the numerical, relational, and financial growth of Messianic Jewish congregations and havurot, helping them to honor our tradition and our Messiah in the power of the Divine Presence.

PREREQUISITES
None

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
The student must have a computer, headset, and high-speed internet access. For assistance with Populi, please get in touch with Rabbi Michael at admin@mjti.org.

FORMAT
Video conferencing via Zoom. Written reflections via an asynchronous blog on Populi.

REQUIREMENTS
Attending all interactive lectures via Zoom, timely completion of pre-assigned reading before weekly class, weekly reflections on readings, and group interactions are to be posted on the asynchronous blog.

REQUIRED TEXTS

• Saal, Paul L..: “Messianic Jewish Communities by Design: Open Doors and Reserved Seating” Kesher, a Journal of Messianic Judaism 36, 2020,
  https://www.kesherjournal.com/article/messianic-jewish-communities-by-design-open-doors-and-reserved-seating/
• Kaunfer, Eli. Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 2010.
• Wolfson, Ron. The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2006.
• Pardo-Kaplan, Deborah, chair. UMJC Dorot Study Task Force Report, http://www.umjc.org/dorot, 2022

RECOMMENDED READING

• Aaron, Isa and Cohen, Steven M. Sacred Strategies. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2010.
• Banks, Robert J. Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1994.
• Browning, David. Hybrid Church: The Fusion of Intimacy and Impact. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010.
• Comiskey, Joel. The Spirit-filled Small Group: Leading Your Group to Experience the Spiritual Gifts. Lima, OH: CCS, 2009.
• _____. 2000 Years of Small Groups: A History of Cell Ministry in the Church. Morena Valley, CA: CCS Publishing, 2014.
• Finzel, Hans. Change is Like a Slinky. Chicago: Northfield Publishing, 2014.
• Malphurs, Audrey. Values-Driven Leadership. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
• Miller, M. Rex. The Millennium Matrix. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
• McGinnis, Alan Loy. The Friendship Factor. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1979.
• Peck, M. Scott. The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1988. Schaller, Lyle E. The Change Agent. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1972.
• Prell, Riv-Ellen. Prayer and Community: The Havurah in American Judaism. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1989. (Out of print, but invaluable).
• Schwartz, Sidney. Finding A Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews Can Transform the American Synagogue. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2003.
• Steinke, Peter L. Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2014.
• Warren, Marcus and Jim Wilder. Rare Leadership.: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy and Engagement in the People You Lead. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.
• Wuthnow, Robert, ed. I Come Away Stronger: How Small Groups Are Shaping American Religion. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.