Spring 2011/Pasadena
TM530
Wu
TM530: ASIAN AMERICAN CHURCHES AND THEIR MISSIONAL CONTEXTS. Jonathan Wu.
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.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet 10 times for 3 hours. Class will include
lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials
and experiences, and guest presenters. Class will not meet May 30, but will
meet June 6.
REQUIRED READING:
- 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.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
- Class attendance and weekly Student Journal entries.
- Reflection papers on Rah, Roxburgh, and Van Gelder (~250 words each).
- Small group oral presentations on an Asian American congregation in its
local context.
- An integration paper exploring an Asian American missional ecclesiology
(~1500 words).
- A final research paper examining one critical missional issue facing the
Asian American church, including biblical and theological resources (~3000
words).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in missions (MIN8) and
MA globalization requirement (GLBL).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (revised February 15, 2011)