SYLLABUS MISSIONAL STRATEGIES IN EMERGING CULTURE (formally called Missions and Evangelism)

Transcription

1 SYLLABUS MISSIONAL STRATEGIES IN EMERGING CULTURE (formally called Missions and Evangelism) GB 5643 July 6-10 (8 am- 5pm) Dr. Earl Lavender Ez 220B Summer 2009 Ezell Center 363 ext Catalogue description: A practical and theological analysis of contemporary efforts to be and become missional churches in both domestic and international settings. The study includes biblical foundations, historical implications, and contemporary applications. Emphasis is given to the mission of the church in postmodern and cross-cultural contexts. Required texts: Bible (version of your choice, ideally a Bible in which you will be able to freely mark) Frost, Michael and Hirsch, Alan. The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21 st Century Church. (Hendrickson, 2003) Lavender, Earl The Church of God s Intent (Lochland) This will be provided for you by the teacher. McNeal, Reggie. Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church (Jossey-Bass, 2009) Stone, Bryan Evangelism after Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness (Brazos Press, 2007). Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible s Grand Narrative (Intervarsity Press, 2006). You are also required to read another text (of your choice) from the supplied bibliography. Be prepared to share the content of the text with the class. The required texts are available in the university bookstore. The Stone, Wright, McNeal and Frost and Hirsch texts and the supplemental text are available through multiple sources (Amazon, etc). The Lavender text will be provided on the first day of class along with a readings packet. Course Design: 1. The course will begin by studying the root of mission in the heart of God in the biblical text, along with reading and discussing Chris Wright s text. The importance of a narrative reading of the redemptive story of which we are a part will be a major point of emphasis. 2. The 2nd focus will be developing an understanding of missiology historically, theologically, and in our emerging culture. This will include a study of the Stone text. We will then work on developing a sound theology of mission leading to an effective contextualization of the message (using the Frost and Hirsch text). This should be applicable not only to crosscultural mission efforts, but in the ministry in which you are presently involved. 3. The 3rd section of the course will deal with the practical implications of a biblical theology of mission (using the McNeal and Lavender text). While my views of the importance of strategic planning have changed dramatically in the past few years (strategic planning is not

2 as important as I once thought), proper planning is still very helpful in effectively expanding the kingdom. Course objectives: To come to a biblical view of the world in which we live and God s missional essence, thereby developing a genuine passion for mission. To develop a theology of mission that one will consistently and fervently pursue. To develop an understanding of missional and emerging in our particular cultural context To become aware of the cultural changes which provide exciting opportunities for God s mission To develop the organizational skills needed to plan kingdom expanding efforts wherever one is working. Course requirements: Timely completion of assignments, including reading the texts before the course begins (with the exception of the Lavender text which will be given to you on the first day). Informed (be prepared) participation in class discussions Attendance is essential in any course, but especially in a short course. Grading: Entry essay 10% of final grade A Research Project 40% of final grade B Final Exam 20% of final grade C Participation (timely completion, etc.) 20% of final grade D Book reviews 10% of final grade Entry Essay Write a brief (1,000 word about three pages) description of your understanding of God s mission in the world, ending with an explanation of what you hope to gain from this study. You are encourage to briefly review your own spiritual journey in the context of this paper. This is due at the beginning of class on July 6 th. Book Reviews: You are to prepare a review on each of the required texts (note: not the Bible or the Lavender text, but this assignment includes your supplemental reading five reviews total). It need be no longer than two pages for each book (double spaced, normal font size). Include a brief summary of book content and your reaction concerning to the substance of the book. These reviews are due on July 6 th (at the beginning of the first day of class). This is in lieu of an entry exam. If these are not completed, you will not be granted admittance to the course. Research Project: Your course research project is to be a paper of a minimum of 15 double spaced pages (normal font, 12 point max). The topic must relate directly to the content of the course and must be approved by the instructor before the last day of the course (July 10). You are to include a bibliography with no less than twelve sources of varying types (articles, books, web, etc.). You are encouraged to propose a topic (one of particular interest and relevance to you),

3 which may have to do with a particular missional idea, an identified mission point with an accompanying strategy for missional ministry, or extensive treatment of a biblical text or theme which focuses on God s mission in the world. This paper is due (as an attachment to an ) July 31 st. You are encouraged to begin this as soon as possible if you can identify your topic in your pre-course readings, you will have a head start. me with your ideas if you need guidance before the beginning of the course. Late Work: The graduate school has taken a strong stand against allowing an incomplete as a grade at the end of the semester. Only under the most difficult circumstances will deadlines be extended. Work which is not handed in on time will not be accepted. Bibliography: Allender, Dan and Tremper Longman III 2007 Breaking the Idols of Your Heart: How to Navigate the Temptations of Life. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen 2004 The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Bauckham, Richard 2003 Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Barret, Lois Y. et al 2004 Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Burke, John 2005 No Perfect People Allowed: Creating A Come As You Are Culture in the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Claiborne, Shane 2006 The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Colsen, Jake 2006 So You Don t Want to Go to Church Anymore. Moorpark, CA: Windblown Media Cosden, Darrell 2006 The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Driscoll, Mark 2004 The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Fitch, David E The Great Giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the Church from Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Frost, Michael 2006 Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

4 Frost, Michael and Alan Hirsch 2003 The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission For the 21 st Century Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. Glasser, Authur F Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God s Mission in the Bible: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic) Goll, James W The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Pub. Halter, Hugh and Matt Smay 2008 The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community. Jossey-Bass. Heibert, Paul G The Gospel in Human Contexts: Anthropological Explorations for Contemporary Missions. Baker Academic. Henderson, Jim Evangelism Without Additives. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press. Henderson, Jim and Matt Casper 2007 Jim and Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation about Faith, Churches, and Well- Meaning Christians. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Holloway, Gary and Earl Lavender Meditative Commentary Series. Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers. Hirsch, Alan 2006 The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press Howerton, Mike 2004 The Relevant Church: A New Vision For Communities of Faith. Relevant. Jenkins, Phillip 2002 The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. Oxford 2006 The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South. Oxford Keifert, Patrick 2007 We Are Here Now: A New Missional Era. Eagle, Idaho: Allelon Publishing. Kimball, Dan 2007 They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Kirk, Andrew J Mission Under Scrutiny: Confronting Contemporary Challenges. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. McClaren, Brian D The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson) McNeal, Reggie 2003 The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Minatrea, Milfred 2004 Shaped By God s Heart: the Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass. Muck, Terry and Frances S. Adeney 2009 Christianity Encountering World Religions: The Practice of Mission in the Twenty-first Century. Baker Academic

5 Newbigin, Lesslie 1989 The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Peterson, Eugene 2005 Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Pocook, Michael, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell 2005 The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Rainer, Thom S. and Eric Geiger 2006 Simple Church: Returning to God s Process for Making Disciples. Nashville: Broadman and Holman. Roxburgh, Alan J. and Fred Romanuk 2006 The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Stevens, R. Paul 1999 The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective. Eerdmans. Stevens, R. Paul and Michael Green 2003 Living the Story: Biblical Spirituality for Everyday Christians. Eerdmans. Stetzer, Ed 2006 Planting Missional Churches: Planting a Church That s Biblically Sound and Reaching People in Culture. Nashville: Broadman and Holman. Stetzer, Ed and David Putman 2006 Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers. Sweet, Leonard 2009 So Beautiful: Divine Design for the Life and the Church. David Cook. Van Gelder, Craig, ed The Missional Church in Context: Helping Congregations Develop Contextual Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI. Eerdmans Publishing. Webber, Robert E Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Willard, Dallas 2006 The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus Essential Teachings on Discipleship. San Francisco: Harper SanFrancisco. Woodrum, Rob 2006 The Wanderer for Wonder-What: One Man s Adventure in Leaving the Church as He d Known It. LuLu Press. Wright, N.T The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne.