DESCRIPTION: The aim of this course is to communicate a vision for evangelism based on the paradigm of spiritual pilgrimage. In this light, the variety of ways in which people start moving toward Jesus will be considered (Quest); as will the nature and character of conversion (Commitment); and the subsequent process of spiritual growth (Formation). All this will be placed in a biblical and historical context. This theoretical foundation will then provide the background for a multifaceted discussion of how one goes about planning and executing a viable, on-going, church-based program of evangelism.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have (1) developed an understanding of evangelism from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives, (2) understood how knowledge about the ministry of evangelism translates into outreach, (3) become more motivated to engage in evangelism, (4) demonstrated the ability to plan outreach programs, and (5) learned how to critique outreach programs, organization, and activities in terms of their faithfulness to theological traditions and effectiveness in reaching a particular audience.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Evangelism is the process of communicating the Good News to those who have not heard it or who have not yet responded to it. As such, evangelism is a prime responsibility of the church. Unfortunately, in North America evangelism is often conceived of (both inside and outside the church) as something that is coercive, manipulative, and bad-mannered. In fact, genuine New Testament evangelism is characterized by a warm-hearted, loving desire on the part of "one beggar to tell other beggars where to find bread" (D. T. Niles). The aim of this course is to help students learn how to do evangelism in this spirit. It is hoped that they will become knowledgeable about evangelism, skilled in certain church-based methodologies, and motivated to do evangelism.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, case studies, and interactive dialogue. This course will meet twice weekly for ninety-minute sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Abraham, William. The Logic of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Peace, Richard. A Church's Guide to Evangelism. Boston: Evangelistic Association of New England, 1982.

_________. Conversion in the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Mittelberg, Mark. Building a Contagious Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000 (150 pages).

OR McLaren, Brian. More Ready Than You Realize. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

1. It is expected that each student will read the materials and be prepared to participate in the classroom discussion and exercises (reading: 20%; attendance: 10%).

2. A midterm exam on the Green, Abraham, and Peace (Conversion) books (30%).

3. A project involving the design of a year-long outreach project for a church or organization; or the development of a case study of an outreach venture (10 pp.; 40%).