Winter 2017/Fuller Online

MM566

Giselbrecht

MM566: Self Care and Spiritual Formation for Missionaries and NGO Cross-Cultural Workers (4 Units: 160 hours). Rebecca Giselbrecht.

DESCRIPTION: Missionaries and NGO cross-cultural staff accept living in challenging settings. How can they persevere, overcome, and thrive? This course examines the theological foundations of a missionary lifestyle and the role spiritual formation plays in maintaining well-being. The missionary life involves above-average levels of stress, loss, and possibly trauma. Students will learn the effects of these and how to respond in ways that promote well-being. Strategies and skills for building community and addressing personal and group conflicts will be examined. The course will also enable students to create and maintain a self-care plan as a tool to embrace ministry with resilience.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1) identify the theological foundations for their missionary vocation and the importance of self care; (2) recognize the effects of stress, trauma and loss and respond in ways that lead to well-being; (3) apply strategies for conflict resolution and peace-making, in ways that strengthen relationships; and (4) develop a self-care plan (rule of life) suited to their situation and personality, which includes spiritual formation.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 929 pages required.

Annan, Kent. Slow Kingdom Coming: Practices for Doing Justice, Loving Mercy and Walking Humbly in the World. IVP Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-0830844555, Pub. Price $16.00. [approx. 63 pages assigned].

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith and Community. HarperOne, 2009. ISBN: 978-0060608521, Pub. Price. $14.99 [122 pages].

Brueggemann, Walter. The Covenanted Self: Explorations in Law and Covenant. Augsburg Fortress, 1999. ISBN: 978-0800631765, Pub. Price $24.00 [122 pages].

Hart, Archibald, Adrenaline and Stress: The Exciting New Breakthrough That Helps You Overcome Stress Damage. Thomas Nelson, 1995. ISBN: 978-0849936906, Pub. Price $15.99 [approx. 93 pp. assigned].

Langberg, Diane. Suffering and the Heart of God. New Growth Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1942572022, Pub. Price $24.99 [approx. 72 pp. assigned].

Patterson, Kerry, and Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, 2nd ed. McGraw Hill, 2012. ISBN: 978-0071771320, Pub. Price $20.00 [approx. 100 pp. assigned].

Schreiter, Robert. The Ministry of Reconciliation: Spirituality and Strategies. Orbis, 1998. ISBN: 978-1570751684, Pub. Price $18.00. [137 pp assigned].

Thompson, Curt. The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves. IVP, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830844333, Pub. Price $22.00 [approx. 95 pp. assigned].

Online articles and watching videos [125 pages equivalent].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Dwight P. and Robert J. Priest, eds. The Missionary Family: Witness, Concerns, Care. William Carry Library, 2014. ISBN: 978-0878080441, Pub. Price $16.99.

Foster, Richard J. Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines. HarperOne, 2007. ISBN: 978-0060628727, Pub. Price $17.99.

Green, Joel. Body,Soul and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible. Baker Academic. ISBN: 978-0801035951, Pub. Price $24.00.

O'Donnell, Kelly, ed. Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices from around the World. William Carey Library, 2002. ISBN: 978-0878084463, Pub. Price $25.00.

Rice, Richard. Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of Pain. IVP Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0830840373, Pub. Price $20.00.

Sunquist, Scott. Understanding Christian Mission: Participation in Suffering and Glory. Baker Academic, 2013. ISBN: 978-0801036156, Pub. Price $34.99.

Sutton, Susan. A Sure Path: Discovering the Certainty of Christ in an Uncertain World. CLC Publications, 2012. ISBN: 978-1619580688, Pub. Price $12.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 929 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes] [50 hours].

2. On-line guided learning: audio clips, exercises [30 hours].

3. Forum posts: an initial 250-word weekly post plus three 75-word responses to classmate’s posts (25%). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [20 hours].

4. A 2500 word personal biographical overview (25%). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [25 hours].

5. A 2500 word integration paper, bringing together the implications of the course and readings on the student’s life and ministry context. (25%). [This assignment is related to all learning outcomes]. [25 hours]
6. Develop a 800 word self-care plan/ rule of life (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Enrollment priority given to students in SIS Mission Partnership organizations. Auditors are required to complete all assignments.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.