EM001-512 - Mission Perspectives

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM301. Unit exclusions: EM005-712, EM006-712

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Foundational knowledge and understanding of contemporary world Christian missions including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.

B. Be able to

1. Outline biblical, historical, cultural and strategic perspectives on contemporary world Christian missions

2. Identify the leading issues in contemporary world Christian missions

3. Present Organised evidence-based perspectives on contemporary world Christian missions

C. Be in a position to

1. Relating perspectives and skills from ‘Mission Perspectives’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry contexts

Content

  1. A basic study of the biblical witness to the mission of God to humanity, including:
    1. God’s desire to be known; global perspective;
    2. Abraham, Israel and the divine intention for all  nations;
    3. Teaching of Jesus: salvation to Jews and Gentiles;
    4. The post-Easter church: obligations to all nations;
    5. The nature of mission in the New Testament.
  2. An introduction to the expansion of the Christian movement, including:
    1. Key developments in mission history;
    2. Pioneers in Christian mission;
    3. The current status of the world Christian movement: statistics; problem areas; challenges.

Note: This topic should complement, not repeat, students’ studies in CH001 and CH002, or CH005.

  1. An introduction to the cultural factors which affect mission today, including:
    1. Culture and worldview; beliefs, values and behaviour; ethnocentrism; cultural change;
    2. Culture and communication; dynamically equivalent communication; culture shock;
    3. Indigeneity, inculturation, contextualisation.
  2. A survey of strategies and issues in contemporary Christian world mission, including:
    1. World needs and strategies to meet them;
    2. Strategies for evangelism and church planting among different people groups;
    3. Urban mission and development priorities; evangelism and justice;
    4. Pluralism; dialogue with those of other faiths.
  3. Mobilising local churches in support of world mission:
    1. Types of mission agencies; resource policies, operational structures, denominational links;
    2. Mission education and training in local churches;
    3. The care of missionaries: pre-departure, home assignment, permanent return;
    4. Developing active prayer, finance and other support activities.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed:

Burnett, D., Clash of Worlds (London: Monarch, 2002).

Conn, H., The Urban Face of Mission (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2002).

Elmer, D., Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002).

Escobar, S., The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everywhere (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003).

Guthrie, S., Missions in the Third Millennium: 21 Key Trends for the 21st Century (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002).

Hiebert, P., Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994).

Kirk, J. A., What is Mission? (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1994).

Köstenberger, A. J. and P. O’Brien, Salvation to the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Theology of Mission (Leicester: Apollos, 2001).

Moreau, A. S. et al (eds), Deliver Us from Evil: An Uneasy Frontier in Christian Mission (Monrovia: MARC, 2002).

Smith, D. W., Against the Stream: Christianity and Mission on an Age of Globalization (Leicester: IVP, 2003).

Tucker, R. A., From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004).

Wright, C. J., The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative (Nottingham: IVP, 2006).

 

Recommended:

Hiebert, P. and E. H. Meneses, Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant, and Urban Societies (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995).

Miley, G., Loving the Church: Blessing the Nations (Waynesboro, GA: Gabriel, 2003).

Webb, A., Your Church Can Make a World of Difference (Sydney: OMF, 2005).

Winter, R. et al (eds), Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader (3rd ed.; Pasadena, CA: William Carey, 1999).

 

Classics:

Samuel, V., and C. Sugden, Mission as Transformation (Oxford: Regnum, 1999).

Yates, T., Christian Mission in the Twentieth Century (Cambridge: CUP, 1994).

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