Alice Frazer Evans
The terms "case studies" and "cases" can refer to a broad variety of literary and audio visual material. One-page critical incidents, verbatims, case histories, ethical dilemmas, and illustrations could all fit under these categories. This bibliography and the Case Study Institute Clearing House noted below are limited in that they focus primarily on religious or church-related topics. The bibliography is further limited to cases and case books which use a specific literary form modeled after the case approach used by the Harvard Graduate School of Business. These cases have several distinctive features: they are true and describe actual persons and events; they are usually disguised to protect the privacy of the persons involved; they pose a problem or problems for the primary protagonist(s); and they end before resolution.

A primary goal of this type of case study is to "invite" readers to enter the situation, analyze the issues, and propose responsible alternatives backed by sound reasoning. Although they can be effective for personal reflection and application of learnings, the majority of these "teaching" cases are designed to generate focused group discussion.

[For the above reasons this bibliography of "teaching" cases and case books does not include a number of excellent case resources such as Varieties of Religious Presence (D. Roozen, W. McKinney, and J. Carroll; Pilgrim Press); Congregations in Change (Elisa Des Portes; Seabury Press); Successful Parishes: How They Meet the Challenge of Change (Thomas Sweetser; Winston Press); and "Patterns of Globalization: Six Studies," the Spring 1991 edition of Theological Education (Volume XXVII)].

Individual Cases

The broadest resource for church-related "teaching" cases is the Church-Related Case Bibliography. This resource provides a topical index and a brief description of all cases accepted by the Case Study Institute Clearing House from 1977 to 1990 - over 800 cases - as well as articles on case teaching and writing. The most recent bibliography is printed as Volume II of the Journal for Case Teaching. Individual cases from the basic bibliography can be ordered at cost (U.S. $5.00 each) from Yale Divinity School Library, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06510. Full ordering and word search information is in the Bibliography Introduction. The cost per case includes permission to make unlimited copies for classroom use.

Annual editions of the Journal for Case Teaching, published from 1990 to the present, contain a broad variety of fifteen to twenty new case studies which may also be photocopied for classroom use. Back issues of the Journal can be ordered from the Association for Case Teaching. Members of ACT annually receive a complimentary copy of the Journal which contains all of the cases accepted in the prior year into the permanent case collection housed at Yale Divinity School. The most recently published cases indicate a growing number of uses for church-related cases. Vol. VI, 1994 (mailed to members in 1995) includes cases developed for seminary-church dialogue, non-profit board of directors education, and training in skills of community conflict resolution.

Case Books

The following annotated list includes twenty-nine books of church-related case studies. Most of these books have a discipline focus such as philosophy, ethics, missiology, or theology or a central theme such as globalization, human rights, or youth ministry. Most church-related case books are designed for both parish and academic classroom use; many contain useful "teaching notes" or suggested discussion questions as well as biblical references and in depth analytical commentaries. Most of the books listed below can be obtained through seminary and church-related book stores. A few case books which are no longer in print are included in the list because multiple copies are still available through the Association for Case Teaching. ("Out of print. Available through ACT") A separate list of additional out-of-print case books follows the primary list because these books are still available in libraries and contain numerous quot;classic" cases which continue to be relevant.

Born in the Fire: Case Studies in Christian Ethics and Globalization, Enoch H. Oglesby. (Pilgrim Press, 1990). Ten case studies based in Africa include a penetrating picture of a Ugandan refugee family, images of the life and faith journeys of a Kenyan lay theologian and a Sudanese seminarian, and the struggles of an African woman seeking seminary education. These cases are contrasted with and complemented by ten case studies based in African American congregations and communities. The North American cases raise issues of unemployment, racism, poverty, and survival. Strong parallel images of faith, dignity, and courage tie together these faith stories of black experience. Each case study is followed by discussion notes on ethical issues and suggestions for further reading.

Casebook for Christian Living, Louis and Carolyn Weeks, Robert and Alice Evans. (John Knox Press, 1977). Twelve well-tested case studies focus on family and congregational issues such as death and dying, generational conflicts, divorce, and abortion. The study guide and application of Christian principles which accompany each case make this book a useful tool for youth, adult, and intergenerational classes. All of the cases are short--between two and three pages--and can be read by a group in one-hour church discussion sessions. (Out of print. Available through ACT)

Casebook for Youth Ministry, William R. Cromer. (Broadman Press, 1991). This fine collection of twelve case studies raises issues facing contemporary youth: faith, child abuse, parental divorce, shoplifting, alienation, teen pregnancy, loneliness, suicide. The cases are short and well suited for youth discussion as well as for training lay and clergy youth leaders. Each case is followed by useful background information, a creative often multi-media teaching plan, biblical and theological references, and suggestions for additional resources to pursue the case topic in greater depth. The book also includes a chapter on "Choosing and Using Case Studies."

Case Studies in Missions: Paul G. and Frances F. Hiebert. (Baker Book House, 1987). The authors spent seven years collecting sixty cases from missionaries, students, and church leaders throughout the world. The book is designed to help train mission personnel as well as sensitize congregations to mission concerns. The cases are presented from different ethical and theological positions and cover a broad variety of challenging multi-cultural situations. Cases are organized under ten central categories. For example, there are eight cases related to "Traditional Customs"; six cases which relate to "Idols and Ancestors"; and seven cases which focus on "Church-Mission Relationships."

Case Studies in Christ and Salvation, Jack Rogers, Ross Mackenzie, and Louis Weeks. (Westminster Press, 1977). This classic collection contains seventeen well-researched historical case studies. Topics range from the Christological Councils (four cases), developing understandings of salvation (including cases on Augustine, Luther, Calvin, the Shakers, and Mary Baker Eddy), and contemporary understandings of the person and work of Christ (Kimbanguist membership in the World Council of Churches, Rosemary Ruether, and the International Congress of World Evangelism). These cases have been used successfully in courses in philosophical theology, history of doctrine, systematic theology, and church history.

Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach, Second Edition, Robert L. Stivers, Christine E. Gudorf, Alice Frazer Evans, and Robert A. Evans. (Orbis Books, 1994). Critical commentaries analyze the ethical dilemmas in sixteen contemporary case studies and develop historical Christian normative, contextual, and relational moral resources. While this book is used extensively in college and seminary ethics courses, it has proven to be equally effective in congregations. This fully revised edition focuses on ethical dilemmas faced by today's Christians such as low income housing, sustainable agriculture, oil exploration and indigenous peoples, and teen pregnancy. The authors offer no "solutions" but raise principles which may guide Christians struggling with similar situations.

Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach, Stivers, Gudorf, Evans, and Evans. (Orbis Books, 1989). The first edition of this book contains seven case studies and commentaries which were omitted in the second edition but which are still used by a number of educators. These include cases on alcoholism, urban housing, nuclear waste disposal, farm foreclosure, AIDS protection for medical staff, and apartheid in South Africa. (Out of print. Limited number of copies available through ACT)

Christian Mission: A Case Study Approach, Alan Neely. (Orbis, 1995). Part of the American Society of Missiology Series, this volume is not only an excellent text for seminary mission courses, it is an engaging and effective resource for adult education and church boards. The eighteen cases draw readers into both historical and contemporary situations faced by missionaries. The author emphasizes the importance of context and contextualization through an introductory chapter and by separate essays which set the historical and theological context of each case. Each case is followed by selected scriptural passages to deepen reflection, by study questions, and by suggestions for additional reading. An appendix includes an annotated index of all missions case studies in the Yale Case Clearing House through 1994.

Christian Theology, Robert A. Evans and Thomas D. Parker. (Harper & Row, 1977). Noted theologians with diverse views comment on nine case studies based on themes of the Apostles Creed and central tenets of Christian theology, e.g., Kenneth Kantzer, Gordon Kaufman, Dorothee Soelle, and David Tracy respond to the same case on missions and Christology from significantly different theological perspectives. While this book is dated, the classic case topics are still relevant and the diversity of commentaries encourages readers and discussion participants to "own" their personal theological interpretations. (Out of print. Available through ACT)

Ethics and World Religions: Cross-Cultural Case Studies, Regina Wentzel Wolfe and Christine E. Gudorf (Orbis Books, 1999) This timely collection of eighteen international cases in Ethics and World Religions makes an important contribution to religious awareness and global sensitivity. The finely tuned cases are drawn from Brazil, China, Europe, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Turkey, the United States, and West Africa: The two substantive, contrasting commentaries which accompany each case are equally diverse in origin and perspective, drawing on the authors' own religious and cultural traditions. The case study on female circumcision, for example, is discussed by an Islamic and a Jewish scholar; a Native American and a Hindu respond to the case on a Native American mining executive. The collection also provides effective teaching material for a broad spectrum of academic and church educational settings.

The Globalization of Theological Education, Alice Frazer Evans, Robert A. Evans, David Roozen, eds. (Orbis Books, 1993). Designed for seminary educators and church leaders, this collection of twelve case studies highlights the central issues facing North American theological educators as they prepare congregations and ministerial candidates for ministry in the twenty-first century. Probing topical essays and commentaries by twenty-six prominent international educators, scholars, seminary administrators, and church leaders focus on the emerging challenges of global interdependence. "All of theological education is being shaped and reshaped by the issues highlighted in this book." Barbara Brown Zikmund, Hartford Seminary.

The Hidden World of the Pastor: Case Studies on Personal Issues of Real Pastors, Kenneth L. Swetland (Baker Books, 1995). Addressing the public and private pressures on contemporary clergy, the author presents thirteen deeply personal studies of clergy from diverse settings and denominations. Designed for individual reading or group study by pastors and students, the book contains an appendix on case teaching as well as an extensive reading list of books and articles categorized by central themes raised in the cases. This book is also helpful for parish personnel committees or other lay people who want to gain greater understanding of clergy stress. The cases and readings focus on such themes as anger, candidating, conflict, depression, sexual misbehavior, spirituality, and staff relationships.

Human Rights: A Dialogue Between the First and Third Worlds, Robert A. Evans and Alice Frazer Evans. (Orbis Books, 1982). Eight in-depth international case studies and teaching notes (study guides) are followed by thoughtful commentaries by internationally known theologians such as Rubem Alves, Kosuke Koyama, Johann Metz and Jrgan Moltmann. The text differentiates between "First," "Second" and "Third World" concepts of human rights. "The best volume on human rights for teaching I have seen, and the one most provocative for the church's mission." Larry Rasmussen, Union Theological Seminary, NY.

Human Rights Issues and the Pastoral Ministry, H.S. Wilson, ed. (Bangalore Board of Theological Education, 1989). This book is the product of an intensive case writing and teaching workshop in Bangalore, India which brought together seminary educators, pastors, and grass roots human rights workers from across India. The ten cases offer insight into the social, political, and religious issues facing many Indian pastors. Theological reflections by a variety of scholars reveal the broad diversity of theological interpretation within the Indian Christian community. (Available from ACT)

Introduction to Christianity: A Case Method Approach, Robert and Alice Evans. (John Knox Press, 1980). This book was designed for church confirmation and new member classes. Four case studies focus on young people. The book was accepted by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christian educators as accurately and simply describing the most important basic tenets of Christian faith. A resource guide suggests critical questions and exercises for lively study of the text. Because the book was written for high school level readers, it has been useful in international courses taught in English. (Out of print. Available through ACT)

Introduction to Philosophy: A Case Study Approach, Jack B. Rogers and Forrest E. Baird. (Harper Collins, 1981). This unique and engaging approach to Western thought is used extensively in university, college, and seminary courses. The cases focus on key decision points and critical life experiences of twelve classical and contemporary philosophers ranging from Socrates and Aristotle to Descartes and Hume, to Kierkegaard, Marx, and Wittgenstein. The case authors draw on primary sources, bibliographies, and interpretative works to present the historical context, central questions, and critical turning points of each philosopher studied. One of twelve major contemporary philosophers responds to each case.

Making Ethical Decisions, Louis B. Weeks. (Westminster Press, 1987). Although this book was originally designed to evoke thoughtful study group discussions among men, it is equally useful in families and in both men's and women's church school classes. Part I uses a single case study to ground specific ethical questions and provide an overview of Christian ethics from biblical, historical, and scholarly perspectives. Part II offers twelve well-tested case studies of personal, family, congregational, professional, and community dilemmas to provide a basis for applying the central ethical questions raised in Part I.
Pastoral Administration: Integrating Ministry and Management in the Church, David S. Luecke and Samuel Southard. (Word Books, 1986). Writing specifically for those evangelical Protestant clergy who shun administrative roles and responsibilities, the authors' goal is to show how administration can be an enjoyable, important, and integral part of one's ministry. Six two-page cases provide the springboard for dialogue between support-oriented leadership and task-oriented leadership. "The authors...will convince the open-minded and the ready that administration is central to ministry, that management can be a positive concept, and that ministers who manage well can minister well in more encompassing senses." Martin Marty, University of Chicago.
Pastoral Theology from a Global Perspective, Henry S. Wilson, Judo Poerwowidagdo, Takatso Mofokeng; Robert A. Evans; Alice Frazer Evans. (Orbis, 1996). The fifteen cases and teaching notes, gathered from five continents, focus on central themes of pastoral ministry: the role of women in church and society, economic justice and ecology, empowering marginalized people, reconciliation and peacemaking, and caring for human needs; The challenging commentaries address the commonalities as well as the diversity of contextual issues facing parish pastors throughout the world. "This book explodes our narrower assumptions about pastoral concerns." Gaylord Noyce, Yale University Divinity Schol.

Shared Wisdom: A Guide to Case Study Reflection in Ministry, Jeffrey H. Mahan, Barbara B. Troxell, and Carol J. Allen. (Abingdon Press, 1993). Practical, actual experiences in ministry presented in case study format offer a substantive base for effective, sensitive peer reflection on many aspects of ministry including self-understanding, theology, and ideology. The cases and patterns of reflection are illustrated and informed by reflections on biblical stories. The book is designed to be used collaboratively by ministerial students, clergy supervisors, and seminary faculty who are encouraged to write and share their own cases as part of each discussion session.

Pedagogies for the Non-Poor, Robert A. Evans, Alice Frazer Evans, William Bean Kennedy. (Orbis, Books, 1987). Eight case studies of peace and justice educational models raise the challenges of and most effective approaches to educating the "non-poor" - those in the world who have low infant mortality, high life expectancy, and access to the basic necessities of life, that is, most North Americans. The volume is in dialogue with noted Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed. "An outstanding application of Freire's work that should be read by anyone interested in liberational pedagogy." Henry Giroux, Miami University, Oxford.

Presbyterian Creeds: A Guide to the Book of Confessions, Jack Rogers. (Westminster Press, 1985). This collection of eight cases focuses on creeds of the Reformed tradition, including ancient creeds, reformation confessions, and contemporary declarations of faith. The cases are useful for both lay and clergy education; they involve participants in discussions of the central figures, historical context, and intent of historic creeds as well as their relevance today. "A supurb study guide. This work is extremely helpful as it focuses on 'essential tenets' and 'contemporary relevance' of each of the creeds." Louis Weeks, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.

Twelve Tales Untold: A Guide for Ecumenical Reception, John T. Ford and Darlis J. Swan, eds. (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1993) A rich variety of congregational case studies are organized around three critical ecumenical issues - baptism, Eucharist, and ministry. The goal of the cases, discussion questions, and commentaries is to encourage ecumenical discussion groups to be in dialogue about theological differences. "This work is a most important contribution to the. . . task of making ecumenical gains real in the life and spirituality of today's Christians." (Ernest R. Falardeau, S.S.S., President, North Americal Academy of Ecumenics)

Win-Win Relationships: 9 Strategies for Settling Personal Conflicts without Waging War, H. Newton Malony (Broadman/Holman). A resource for pastors attempting to resolve conflict within the church, this volume raises the distinction between problems and conflicts, stress and distress. A central thesis is that problems or stress are normal, but people go into distress or conflict when personal self esteem becomes more important than the issue over which they differ. The six cases are drawn from actual situations presented in D.Min classes and provide a vehicle for students to practice the skills detailed in the chapters.

Additional Case Books Although the following books are no longer in print, copies may be available in church and seminary libraries or possibly from the authors.

American Christianity: A Case Approach, Ronald C. White, Jr., Louis B. Weeks, Garth M. Rosell. (Eerdmans, 1986). Twenty historical case studies of major persons, ideas, and movements in American Christianity. Designed for college and seminary classrooms and adult Christian education.

Building Effective Ministry: Theory and Practice in the Local Church, Carl S. Dudley, ed. (Harper & Row, 1983). Sixteen scholars and professional church consultants, including Lyle Schaller, Loren Mead, Wade Clark Roof, and Joseph Hough, each apply their own theoretical framework to analyze an in-depth study of one local congregation in crisis.

Casebook on Church and Society, Keith R. Bridston, Fred K. Foulkes, Anne D. Myers, and Louis Weeks, eds. (Abingdon, 1974). In addition to offering several cases, this volume has a chapter on case writing and teaching.

Case Studies in Higher Education Ministries, Robert A. Evans, Alice Frazer Evans, Douglas H. Gregg (National Institute for Campus Ministries, 1981). Three cases and teaching notes focus on issues confronting campus ministries were published as a companion piece to The Recovery of Spirit in Higher Education, Robert Rankin (Seabury Press, 1980).

Case Studies: Parish and Synagogue Ministries to Higher Education, Myron Bloy, ed. (NICM Journal, Fall 1979, Vol. 4 Number 4). This volume of the Journal contains nine case studies on topics such as racial tension, campus and church conflicts, and interfaith dialogue.

Living the Biblical Story: A New Method of Group Bible Study, Eugene F. Roop. (Abingdon, 1979). This volume connects contemporary situations with Old and New Testament stories developed in case form. It is particularly useful for congregational group study.