Winter 2014/Pasadena
EV500
Peace
EV500: THE ART OF EVANGELISM. Richard Peace.
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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
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; (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; and (6) begun to understand the ministry of evangelism through the lens of a missional understanding of the church and the methodology of practical theology.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. A mixture of lecture, discussion, case studies, media input, and interactive dialogue.
REQUIRED READING:
Abraham, William. The Logic of Evangelism. Eerdmans, 1989. ISBN: 978-0802804334, Pub. Price $24.00 [254 pp.].
Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802827685, Pub. Price $28.00 [474 pp.].
Peace, Richard. A Church’s Guide to Evangelism. 1982. ISBN: not available, Pub. Price $1.99 [53 pp.]. Book will be available on Moodle.
_________. Conversion in the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802842350, Pub. Price $36.00 [414 pp.].
_________. Holy Conversation. InterVarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830811199, Pub. Price $15.00 [127 pp.].
McLaren, Brian. More Ready Than You Realize. Zondervan, 2002. ISBN: 978-0310239642, Pub. Price $12.99 [192 pp.].
Course reader (containing articles on ecclesiology, practical theology method, and evangelistic strategies)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
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%).
Write 3-page analytical book reviews for the Green, Abraham, and Peace (Conversion) books, (30%).
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%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3) and MIN1, or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for other master’s degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.