EM017-712 - Spiritual Formation for Cross-Cultural Settings

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Corequisites

96cps of study, including 36 cps at AQF level 6

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM417. Unit exclusions: PC008-612, PC008-712, PC008-812

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding the influence of spiritual formation in a cross-cultural setting.

B. Be able to

1. Discuss personal spiritual development with particular reference to cross-cultural ministry settings.

2. Explore the importance of relationships in cross-cultural ministry.

3. Explain distinctive factors of cross cultural ministry

4. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on spiritual formation in cross cultural ministry

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Spiritual Formation for Cross Cultural Settings’ to contemporary Christian life and cross cultural ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: Personal Spiritual Development

  1. Research that identifies the issues; concept of a ‘call’, sentness, giftedness; role of the home church; role of selection procedures used by agencies.
  2. Maintaining spiritual vitality in cross-cultural ministry settings, including patterns of personal prayer and Bible study; and fellowship with Christians across cultures;
  3. Dealing with stress and its spiritual consequences; culture shock; conflict resolution; avoiding burnout; material possessions and money; physical health and recreation;
  4. Doubt, temptation and testing, confronting spiritual warfare; maintaining spiritual wholeness.

Section B: Relationships in Cross-Cultural Ministry

  1. Personal security and significance; relational skills in cross-cultural ministry, including listening, self-disclosure, empathy.
  2. Relations with others in cross-cultural ministry, including national Christians, co-workers from similar and different Christian traditions and those in authority.
  3. Relations in the missionary household; the single missionary; the missionary family; spiritual factors affecting the spouse and children.
  4. Roles and role conflict; authority and team-work; issues arising from different ministry models.

Section C: Distinctive Factors in Cross-Cultural Ministries

  1. Adjusting to cross-cultural living and lifestyle; relating to those with different living standards; confronting the wealth/poverty issues.
  2. Relations with sponsoring churches and mission society, including prayer and financial support, supervision, encouragement; home assignment and ministry; the re-entry process, preparing for permanent resettlement and retirement.
  3. Missionary perceptions of “obedience”, “faith”, “service”, “sacrifice”, “hardship”  “missionary power” and related themes.
  4. The influence of missionary biography on missionary commitment, including an evaluation of the theology and practical spirituality of selected missionary writings.

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:

O’Donnell, K. (ed.), Doing Member Care Well (Pasadena, CA: William Carey, 2002).

Elmer, D., Cross Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry (Downers Grove, IVP, 1994).

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

Fawcett, J., Stress and Trauma Handbook (Monrovia, CA: World Vision, 2003).

Foyle, M. F., Honourably Wounded (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2001).

Griffiths, M., Lambs Dancing with Wolves: (London: Monarch, 2001).

Hale, T., On Being a Missionary (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2000).

Kraft, M., Frontline Women: Negotiating Crosscultural Issues in Ministry (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003).

Lingenfelter, S and M. Mayers, Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships (2nd ed.; Baker, 2003).

Pascoe, R., A Moveable Marriage: Relocate Your Relationship Without Breaking It (Vancouver: Expatriate, 2003).

Pollock, D. C., Third Culture Kids (Yarmouth, ME: Nicholas Brealey, 2001).

Roembke, L., Building Credible Multicultural Teams (Pasadena, CA: William Carey, 2000).

Storti, C., The Art of Crossing Cultures (Yarmouth, ME: Nicholas Brealey, 2001).

Taylor, W. D. (ed.), Too Valuable To Lose: The Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition (Pasadena, CA: William Carey, 1997).

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