EM417 - Spiritual Formation for Cross Cultural Ministries
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0 Standard Tuition Fee
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4Credit Points
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0.125 EFT
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7AQF level
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evangelism missiolUnit Discipline
Exclusions
This unit cannot be given credit if PC408 is taken.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students willA. Know and understand
- Personal spiritual development with particular attention to cross-cultural ministry settings
- Relationships in cross-cultural ministry
- Distinctive factors in cross-cultural ministry
B. Be able to
- Analyse personal spiritual development with particular reference to cross-cultural ministry settings
- Discuss the importance of relationships in cross-cultural ministry
- Devise strategies for adjusting to cross-cultural ministry
- Explain the relevance of the experience of other workers in cross-cultural ministry
C. Be in a position to
- Integrate perspectives from ‘Spiritual Formation for Cross Cultural Ministry’ with their other theological and ministry studies
- Engage in cross-cultural ministry as a reflective practitioner
Content
Section A: Personal Spiritual Development
- Research that identifies the issues; concept of a ‘call’, sentness, giftedness; role of the home church; role of selection procedures used by agencies.
- Maintaining spiritual vitality in cross-cultural ministry settings, including patterns of personal prayer and Bible study; and fellowship with Christians across cultures;
- Dealing with stress and its spiritual consequences; culture shock; conflict resolution; avoiding burnout; material possessions and money; physical health and recreation;
- Doubt, temptation and testing, confronting spiritual warfare; maintaining spiritual wholeness.
Section B: Relationships in Cross-Cultural Ministry
- Personal security and significance; relational skills in cross-cultural ministry, including listening, self-disclosure, empathy.
- Relations with others in cross-cultural ministry, including national Christians, co-workers from similar and different Christian traditions and those in authority.
- Relations in the missionary household; the single missionary; the missionary family; spiritual factors affecting the spouse and children.
- Roles and role conflict; authority and team-work; issues arising from different ministry models.
Section C: Distinctive Factors in Cross-Cultural Ministries
- Adjusting to cross-cultural living and lifestyle; relating to those with different living standards; confronting the wealth/poverty issues.
- 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.
- Missionary perceptions of “obedience”, “faith”, “service”, “sacrifice”, “hardship” “missionary power” and related themes.
- The influence of missionary biography on missionary commitment, including an evaluation of the theology and practical spirituality of selected missionary writings.
Set Readings
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).