DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on how Asian American churches can engage the world missionally. Attention will be given to the wider global mission, but the focus will be on the local context of the congregation. As God's people called, gathered, formed, and sent, Asian American churches seek to integrate biblical, theological, and practical resources toward congregational faithfulness and witness to the gospel. Topics include articulating an Asian American missional ecclesiology, fostering collaborations, cultivating missional leaders, nurturing faith in daily life, and exploring unique missional opportunities and challenges of Asian American churches.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students will reflect on the Christian faith in public life and how their presence and role in the Asian American context can contribute to congregational and community transformation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students will

• formulate a practical theology (including biblical, theological, and cultural resources) of Asian American congregational life and witness;

• analyze the local and global opportunities and challenges for Asian American churches;

• develop resources for missional leadership formation in the Asian American context;

• envision forming and equipping Asian American faith communities toward missional commitments in the world.

Rah, Soong-Chan. The Next Evangelicalism. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009. 228 pages. ISBN: 9780830833603. Pub.price: $15.00.

Roxburgh, Alan J., and M. Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009. 200 pages. ISBN: 9780801072123. Pub.price: $17.99.

Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007. 204 pages. ISBN: 9780801091391. Pub.price: $16.99.

Yamamori, Tetsunao, and C. Rene Padilla. The Local Church, Agent of Transformation. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Kairos, 2004. 322 pages. ISBN: 9879403673. Pub.price: $9.50.

Reading Packet of articles on Asian American congregational life and witness.

1. Class attendance and weekly Student Journal entries.

2. Reflection papers on Rah, Roxburgh, and Van Gelder (~250 words each).

3. Small group oral presentations on an Asian American congregation in its local context.

4. An integration paper exploring an Asian American missional ecclesiology (~1500 words).

5. A final research paper examining one critical missional issue facing the Asian American church, including biblical and theological resources (~3000 words).