PC039-812 - Leading in Contextual Mission

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category advanced unit
    C
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC739-4.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, contextualizing ministry forms and approaches

B. Be able to

1. Examine the theoretical and practical issues in contextual mission

2. Demonstrate skill in utilising scholarship and learning in Developing strategies for Developing a missional culture in churches

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on contextual mission

C. Be in a position to

Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Leading in Contextual Mission’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

  1. Gospel Contextualization
  • To lead in contextual mission, a leader needs to have a Biblically informed view of culture and be eager to engage - and train others to engage - with the ideas and people who form culture. This topic will equip leaders to employ ethnographic research skills and data to discern the values and key understandings of a given people and to determine the needs, which the ministry of the church should address.
  1. Evangelistic Networking
  • This topic equips learners to develop the skill of consistently and winsomely presenting Christ to others in a host of new situations, so that communicating Christ becomes an integral part of the culture of ministry. Emphasis is placed on developing “evangelistic pathways” and networks of relationships which spring a culture of hospitality in the church, as well as how to think about evangelistic events, process evangelism and the training of others in the church for evangelism, so that a missional culture is developed.
  1. Missional Ecclesiology
  • This topic enables participants to understand the unique characteristics of ministry in a global city and to develop a balanced, missional culture in ministry, so that the good news of Jesus is expressed in every element of church life and reaches out in holistic ministry. Students will develop a theologically driven vision for the church and city, and a strategic philosophy of ministry for the church with outward-faced and balanced ministries.
  1. Mobilising Others in Mission
  • The effective church leader knows they cannot grow a church by themselves. Instead, they become leaders and pastors of gifted Christians who do the work of ministry. This topic equips learners to design and implement an effective leadership training program that is gospel-based, relational, and transformational, and which provides the church with the leaders that it needs to fulfil its mission.

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.


Classics:

Bosch, D., Transforming Mission,: Paradigm, Shift in Theology of Mission, Maryknoll, NY.: Orbis, 1991.

Conn, H. M., Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Theology, Anthropology and Mission in Trialogue, (Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 1984)

Green, M., Evangelism through the Local Church, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Newbigin, L., The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

 

Recommended:

Bauckham, R., Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003.

Carson, D., Christ and Culture Revisited, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.

Dickson, J., The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission, Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2010.

Frame, J.M., Apologetics to the Glory of God, Phillipsburg, NJ.: P&R, 1994.

Hiebert, P.G., The Gospel in Human Contexts, Grand Rapids, MI,: Baker, 2009.

Hunter, J.D., To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World, New York: OUP, 2010.

Joiner, W. and S. Josephs, Leadership Agility: Five Levels of Mastery for Anticipating and Initiating Change, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006.

Keller, T., Centre Church, Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2012.

Keller, T., The Reason for God, New York: Dutton, 2008)

Martin, K., The Myth of the 200 Barrier: How to Lead through Transitional Growth, Nashville, TN.: Abingdon, 2010.

Ortiz, M. and H.M. Conn, Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City and the People of God, Downers Grove, IL.: IVP, 2010.

Sanneh, L., Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture, Maryknoll, NY.: Orbis, 1991.