Winter 2004
Fuller SW- Phoenix
TM503
Wisley

TM503: WORLD MISSION AND THE LOCAL CHURCH. Tom Wisley.

DESCRIPTION:

This course provides the theological and anthropological foundations for the work of the churches in mission. The purpose of the course is to assist church leaders and participants with theoretical and practical resources for engaging in cross-cultural ministry. Issues of ethnic diversity, mission education, congregational opportunities, and holistic mission will receive attention.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

The events of September 11 make it clear that understanding between religions is seriously lacking. Developing a global perspective about the world Christian movement is both a challenging and a significant thing to do. This course will help church leaders and lay people develop a theological and anthropological framework for their mission strategies.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will meet for four Saturdays for a total of 30 hours. The format includes lectures, professor and student interaction on reading assignments and class reports from the research teams formed for group study.

REQUIRED READING:

Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Conflict, Building Relationships for Effective Ministry. InterVarsity Press. Downers Grove. 1994. ISBN 0-8308-1657-7

Hiebert, Paul G. Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues. Baker Books. Grand Rapids. 1994. ISBN 0-8010-4394-8

Van Engen, Charles. God's Missionary People: Rethinking the Purpose of the Local Church. Baker, 1991. ISBN 0-8010-9311-2

Gibbs, Eddie. Church Next: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove. Ill. 2000. ISBN 0-8308-2261-5

ASSIGNMENTS:

Pre-class assignment: Please read the first two chapters of Hiebert and submit a one-page reflection paper on each chapter describing your interactions with the text.

· Attendance & active participation in class. 10%

· Visit an ethnic church and interview a leader. Write an interaction paper describing the church and what you learned and/or gained from the experience (3-5 pages in length). Dues dates to be assigned.10%

· Visit two non-Christian religious services/meetings and write a 5-page reflection paper on your experiences. 5% each.

· Submit one-page interaction worksheets on each chapter of the Hiebert text. Due at class time on the day the respective chapter is to be covered in class. A course schedule will be handed out the first day of class. 15%

· Write a one-page interaction paper on each of the Duane (5%), Gibbs (15%) and Van Engen (5%) texts explaining the value of each to your ministry or ministry interest. Be prepared to give a report in class.

· Write a 10-15 page integration paper based on class lectures, texts and class interactions. This paper will be written after the course is completed and submitted to the instructor either by email or snail mail by the end of the quarter. Details about the structure of this paper will be presented in class. (30%)

PREREQUISITES: Student must be in Cohort group 2004.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: M.Div. core M.8; M.A. GLOB

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.