COMMON COURSE SYLLABUS EV525 Issues in Evangelism. UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Fall 2014

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1 I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: COMMON COURSE SYLLABUS EV525 Issues in Evangelism UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Fall 2014 Gregory D. Stover An examination and discussion of the theology and practice of evangelism. II. TEXTBOOKS: Required Reading: William Abraham, The Logic of Evangelism, ISBN Stephen Bevans and Roger Schroeder, Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today, ISBN Elaine Heath, The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach, ISBN Brad Kallenberg, Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age, ISBN Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission, ISBN III. GOALS: Recommended Reading: (Less than 30% of the text is read for the course work or for enrichment) Paul Chilcote and Laceye Warner (eds.), The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church, ISBN Laceye Warner, Saving Women: Retrieving Evangelistic Theology and Practice, ISBN This course is designed to meet the Evangelism requirement in the M. Div. curriculum. Students will be able to articulate a theology of evangelism within the tradition of the Church sent in mission to the world; will develop an understanding of various models of evangelism and their relevance for the contemporary church; and will use these learnings to analyse and develop evangelism ministries in the local church.

2 Page 2 IV. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: 1. To investigate biblical and theological foundations for evangelism. 2. To examine the theology and practice of evangelism within the tradition of the Church sent in mission to the world. 3. To be aware of and address current debates regarding mission and evangelism. 4. To develop models of evangelism relevant to specific local church contexts. 5. To empower Christians, clergy and lay, to evangelize with integrity and sensitivity to cultural contexts. V. TEACHING STRATEGIES: This on-campus classroom course will build on the readings using lecture and discussion, interviews, evaluation of an oral faith story, and written materials to enable students to engage with Issues in Evangelism. VI. CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND READINGS: Week Date Topics Related Reading A. What Is Evangelism? Abraham, Logic of Evangelism, Chap. 1 Abraham, A Theology of Evangelism: The Heart of the Matter, (Pt. I, Ch. 2) in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. Bosch, Evangelism: Theological Currents and Cross-Currents Today, (Pt., I, Ch. 1) in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. 1 Oct Oct. 17 B. Biblical Foundations of Evangelism C. Theological Foundations of Evangelism (Part I) A. Theological Foundations for Evangelism (Part II) B. Theological Foundations for Evangelism (Part III) Bevans & Schroeder, Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today, Part I Intro, and Chapter 1 Bosch, The Structure of Mission: An Exposition of Matthew 28:16-21, in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. Hunsberger, Is There Biblical Warrant for Evangelism? in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. Abraham, Logic of Evangelism, Chapters 2-4. Bevans and Schroeder, Constants in Context, Chapter 2 Abraham, Logic of Evangelism, Chapters 5-10

3 Page 3 C. Telling Our Spiritual Story IN CLASS SHARING OF 3-5 MINUTE FAITH STORIES. 3 Nov. 7 A. Theological Foundations for Evangelism (Part III) B. Historic Foundations for Evangelism C. Leading Women in Evangelism Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission, Chaps Costas, Evangelism and the Gospel of Salvation, Part I, Chapter 3 in Chilcote, Study in Evangelism. Bevans and Schroeder, Constants in Context, Intro to Part II, Chapter 3. Warner, Saving Women: Retrieving Evangelistic Theology and Practice, Introduction and Conclusion. 4 Nov Dec. 5 PAPER ONE DUE A. Evangelism and Culture (Part I) Kallenberg, Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age, All. Yung, Strategic Issues in Missions --- An Asian Perspective, Part VI, Chap. 26 in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. Newbigin, The Open Secret, Chapter 8-9. Arias, Contextual Evangelization in Latin America: B. Evangelism and Culture (Part Between Accommodation and Confrontation, Part VI, II) Chap. 27 in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. A. Toward a Theology and Practice of Evangelism (Part I) Heath, The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach. All. Arias, Centripetal Mission, or Evangelization by Hospitality, Chap. 30 in Chilcote, Study of Evangelism. 6 Dec. 12 B. Toward a Theology and Practice of Evangelism (Part II) Toward a Theology and Practice of Evangelism (Part III) Bevans and Schroeder, Constants in Context, Chapters Bevans and Schroeder, Constants in Context. Chapter 12 and Concluding Reflections. PAPER TWO DUE VII. SEMINARY STANDARDS: A. Inclusive Language United Theological Seminary has an official policy regarding the use of Inclusive Language. The policy may be found in the Seminary Catalog and further explained in the Student Handbook. If you have specific questions, please see the instructor. B. Academic Integrity

4 Page 4 Student integrity regarding all work assigned in this class is a basic expectation of the Seminary community. A detailed policy regarding what constitutes a violation of academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook. C. Online Confidentiality One of the highlights of the online classroom is that students can draw from the experiences shared during class discussions and in written work. However, it is imperative that students do not share information that is confidential, privileged, or proprietary in nature. In addition, students are expected to honor the privacy and confidentiality of their classmates by not disclosing online conversations with those outside the classroom. VIII. USING ONLINE RESOURCES For information about how to access United Online and where to find help if you need it may be found on the seminary website at Help guides are also in the student computer lab and in the Student Handbook. IX. EVALUATION A. Assignments 1. In-class Faith Sharing Experience: Each student is expected to present a testimony in class documenting either his/her experience of coming to faith in Christ or a recent experience in which faith made an impact in his/her life. Guidelines will be provided. The presentation should be informal and unscripted, as well as avoid theological/technical language. Length: Three minute minimum; five minute maximum. 2. Paper One: The student will present a definition of evangelism and defend that definition based on the foundations discussed in class and in the readings. The paper should 1) clearly state your definition of evangelism; 2) distinguish between mission and evangelism ; 3) present a clear and cogent argument for your definition and conclusions; engage comprehensively with at least three of the reading assignments, and 4) discuss the implications of your definition for approaching and engaging others. Length: words (including footnotes, but not including bibliography) Format: Double spaced; footnoted with appropriate citations; bibliography. Submission: Due at end of class by December 12, Papers may be submitted by hardcopy in class or sent via to gstover@armstrongchapel.org.

5 Page 5 3. Paper Two: In this paper the student will describe and evaluate the existing methods of evangelism in a local congregation, preferably one with which the student affiliates as a pastor, staff-person or regular participant. The paper should 1) provide a one sentence definition of evangelism for the congregation (based on or adapted from Paper One); 2) identify and evaluate the existing methods of evangelism based on the theological and biblical foundations (including how existing methods reflect the six constants described in Bevans and Schroeder); 3) offer specific and practical steps toward a comprehensive plan for evangelism; and 4) engage at least three class texts. The student may opt to express thisplan in the form of teaching/curriculum, a strategic plan or new ministry option. Length: words (including footnotes, but not including bibliography) Format: Double spaced; footnoted with appropriate citations; bibliography. Submission: Due at end of class by November 7, Papers may be submitted by hardcopy in class or sent via to gstover@armstrongchapel.org. 4. Participation in Class Discussions: Students are expected to participate in class discussions related to the lectures and reading materials. B. Method of Determining Grade: 1. Oral In-Class Faith Sharing 20% 2. Paper One 25% 3. Paper Two 35% 4. Weekly Discussion 20% X. STUDENT COURSE EVALUATIONS: It is very important for students to submit a course evaluation toward the end the semester. Instructors do not see the student evaluations at all until after the instructors have submitted the students final official grades. Students should feel free to evaluate the course without any negative ramifications. XI. REFERENCES: The following resources provide valuable reading in the area of evangelism: Frances Adeney, Graceful Evangelism Mortimer Arias, Announcing the Reign of God: Evangelization and the Subversive Memory of Jesus David Bosch, Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission Orlando Costas, Liberating News

6 Page 6 Darrell Guder, The Missional Church Nancy Hardesty, Women Called to Witness Elaine Heath & Scott Kisker, Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways Scott Jones, Evangelistic Love of God and Neighbor: A Theology of Witness and Discipleship Phil Kenneson & Alan Street, Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons, Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Things about Christianity and Why It Matters James C. Logan (ed.), Theology and Evangelism in the Wesleyan Heritage Priscilla Pope-Levison, Turn the Pulpit Loose: Two Centuries of American Women Evangelists Carlyle Stewart, African American Church Growth Bryan Stone, Evangelism After Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness N. T. Wright, Justification: God s Plan and Paul s Vision