Spring 2008/Pasadena
EV525
Peace

EV525: CONTEMPORARY CULTURE AND EVANGELISM. Richard Peace.


DESCRIPTION: The aim of this course is to look at evangelism from the point of view of those who are being evangelized. In order to do this it is necessary to engage in audience analysis: who is it we are trying to reach and what do we need to know about them and their personal environments? Then it is important to know how to express the gospel in words, images, and actions that will communicate the gospel accurately to such subcultures. A special emphasis in this course will be on reaching Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials. In addition, the course will explore evangelism in various ethnic subcultures.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will

  1. understand the rudiments of communication theory and see its implications for evangelism;

  2. develop a new sensitivity to culture, an appreciation for subcultures, and skills in assessing subcultures with a special emphasis on generational analysis;

  3. analyze certain trends in American society and understand how the Christian message relates to these;

  4. study various culture-sensitive communication strategies;

  5. develop a new sensitivity to words and images used in evangelism and learn how to do "theological translation."

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Evangelism is a species of communication. So, it is necessary to understand something about communication theory in order to engage in evangelism. Within the communication process, the emphasis must be on the receiver, including understanding of his/her worldview and social environment. Such an understanding produces new insight into the nature and process of audience-oriented evangelism.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, media, case studies, and interactive dialogue. The class will meet weekly for a three-and-a-half-hour session.

REQUIRED READING:
Kallenberg, Brad. Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age. Brazos, 2002.

Finney, John. Emerging Evangelism. Darton, Longman and Todd, 2004.

Mission-Shaped Church. Church Publishing House, 2004.

Webber, Robert. Ancient-Future Evangelism. Baker, 2003.

Wuthnow, Robert. After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion. Princeton University Press, 2007.

Course Reader: Readings in Communication, Culture, & Evangelism.

ASSIGNMENTS: It is expected that each student will attend the classes (10%), read the materials (25%), and be prepared to participate in the classroom discussion and exercises. In addition, the student will write several short papers:
  1. translate a gospel term into contemporary images (4/5 pages) (20%);

  2. assess a subculture in terms of evangelism (5/6 pages) (30%);

  3. two book reviews of 2 pages each and one other short paper (15%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3); also meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)