DESCRIPTION: The aim of this course is to assist students in developing effective approaches to evangelism in an increasingly postmodern culture. In order to do this it is necessary to engage various values and beliefs propagated by postmodernity in order to identify possible points of contact and barriers for evangelism. In addition, students will be exposed to a number of past and present approaches to evangelism in order to consider their value for doing evangelism in a postmodern context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) become conversant with important ideological and practical shifts occurring as a result of the influence of postmodernity; (2) be able to analyze certain cultural trends in order to identify possible opportunities and barriers for evangelism that result from them; (3) be more motivated to develop innovative yet faithful means of evangelism to engage postmodern people effectively; (4) demonstrate the ability to develop an effective evangelistic plan to reach postmodern people.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: One of the primary tasks of Christians in every culture and time is to remain faithful to the heart of the gospel while conveying its message in a manner that is relevant and coherent to their contemporaries. This responsibility compels Christians living in Western culture at the beginning of the twenty-first century to understand the values and mindset of an increasingly postmodern society. This class seeks to develop the comprehension of students regarding the beliefs and practices of postmodern people in order that they might engage them more effectively with the gospel.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, media, and interactive dialogue. This class will meet twice weekly for four-hour sessions for five weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Finney, John. Emerging Evangelism. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2004.

Hunter, George G. The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West . . . Again. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.

Kallenberg, Brad J. Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2002.

Long, Jimmy. Emerging Hope: A Strategy for Reaching Postmodern Generations. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

White, Heath. Postmodernism 101: A First Course for the Curious Christian. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2006.

1. Attendance and Participation: Each class member is expected to attend class and participate in the various discussions occurring throughout the course (10%).

2. Reading: Each class member is to complete all assigned reading and submit a Reading Report (10%).

3. Short Paper: Each class member will engage at least three people who have been significantly influenced by postmodern thought in a conversation regarding their views on the various issues addressed by White's Postmodernism 101. After having all three conversations, each student will write a short paper (5-6 pages) assessing the content of their conversations and their significance for evangelistic practice in a postmodern context (20%). Due Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008.

4. Book Discussion and Critical Reflection: Each class member will be assigned to a learning team for the purposes of leading a book discussion on one of the required texts. Each student will also submit a two-page, single-spaced critical reflection regarding the text their learning team discussed (Presentation: 20%; Critical Reflection: 10%). Due date dependent on assigned text.

5. Final Paper: Each student will develop a rationale and a plan for a local church or other outreach to engage postmodern people with the gospel (10-15 pages; 30%). Due Friday, Sept. 5, 2008.