Module Narrative


Module Title: Cross-cultural Ministry and Missions
Module Code: MIN501
Level: 5
Credit Points: 20 Credits
Compulsory or Optional: Optional (Practical Ministry Pathway)
Pre-requisites/co-requisites: MIN400
Excluded combinations or modules: None
Mode of attendance: Mixed

Rationale:
This module explores the foundations and contexts for ministry and mission. It examines the major elements of church growth principles as it applies to the mission praxis of the local church or a para-church organisation. Students are prepared and encouraged to engage in dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies.
Learning outcomes

Knowledge
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:
1. discuss the biblical and theological basis for mission and compare and contrast the variety of approaches to different contexts for mission
2. summarise and comment on the variety of ways in which Christians in different parts of the world have contextualised their faith
3. discuss and differentiate between different worldviews and the dialogue between them and the Christian church

Skills
This module will call for the successful student to demonstrate:
4. an ability to engage in dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies

Syllabus

Understanding mission and cultural engagement; church planting and mission; contemporary issues in mission; the mission strategy of the early church; the relationship between mission and church growth; major missions models and strategies of the 20th and 21st centuries; social action projects; Understanding other faith worldviews – traditional African and Asian worldviews; Jewish and Muslim worldviews; Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist worldviews and the dialogue between and relationship of Christians with them. Developing a missional church in a diverse cultural context.

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

Staff-led lectures explore the foundations and contexts for ministry and mission from Biblical, theological and historical perspectives. Further inter-active lectures will compare and contrast various contexts for mission in relation to identified cultural realities.

Issues arising from lectures will form the basis for student-led small group discussion as students examine various approaches to mission. Visits to a mission project or interfaith dialogue forum would further reinforce student learning. The formative feedback assists students in preparation for a summative essay.

The opportunity for dialogue between Christians and people with other world views will be discussed in Tutor-led seminars, and discussion groups act as a focus for further discussion around topics concerning church growth. Students will negotiate topics for preparing a group presentation, for which they will also write a 1000 word report to show their own contribution to the presentation. The presentations, which take place will be for summative assessment and will be both Tutor and Peer assessed.

Students are required to attend a mission project or forum, which the Module leader will arrange where they will discuss, with the Pastor or Leader, the mission and growth opportunities within that organisation. This will form a case study for summative analysis

Tutorial time enables Tutors to give formative feedback on draft essays, guidance to students on developing their presentations and constructive feedback on summative work.

Independent study to supplement these activities is an essential element of the programme, including reading and producing the module assignments.

Assessment Scheme

• Essay plan 500 words (formative assessment)

• Essay 2000 words (summative assessment)
• Individual Reflective report on a missions visit or interfaith forum participation of 1500 words (summative assessment)

Assessment Weighting

Essay 50%
Reflective report 50%

Learning Materials

Core Text
Bosch, D., (1991) Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in the Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis.

Essential
Bevans, S., and Schroeder,R. (2004) Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today. Maryknoll: Orbis.
Cobb, K., (2005) The Blackwell Guide to Theology and Popular Culture. Oxford: Blackwell.
Connolly, P., (1999 and 2006) Approaches to the Study of Religion. London and New York: Continuum.
Sweet, L, (ed.), (2005) The Church in Emerging Culture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Recommended
Baker, D., (2004) Biblical Faith and Other Religions: An Evangelical Assessment. Grand Rapids: Kregel.

Barnes, M., (2002) Theology and the Dialogue of Religions. Cambridge: CUP.

Barnett, M., Pocock, M., (eds.), (2005) The Centrality of Christ in Contemporary Missions. Pasadena: Wm Carey Library.

Bevans, S., (2002) Models of Contextual Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Brown, D., Greeve Devaney, S., Tanner, K. (eds), (2001) Converging on Culture. Oxford: New York.
Carter, C., (2006) Rethinking Christ and Culture. Grand Rapids: Brazos.

Connor, S., (1996) Postmodernist Culture. An Introduction to Theories of the Contemporary. Oxford: Blackwell.

Escobar, S., (2003) A Time for Mission: The Challenge for Global Christianity. Leicester: IVP.

Fiddes, P., (ed.) (2001) Faith in the Centre: Christianity and Culture. Oxford: Regents Park.

Guder, D. L., (2000) The Continuing Conversion of the Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hunter, G. G., III. (2000) The Celtic Way of Evangelism. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Kallenberg, B. J. (2002) Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press.

Kirk, J. A., (2000) What Is Mission? Theological Explorations. Monrovia, CA: World Vision Publications.

Kraft, C., (2001) Culture, Communication and Christianity. Pasadena: Wm.Carey Library,

Lloyd-Sidle, P., Lewis, B.S. (eds), (2001) Teaching Mission in a Global Context. Louisville: Geneva Press.

Muck, T. and Adeney, F. (2009) Christianity Encountering World Religions: The Practice of Mission in the Twenty-first Century. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Newbigin L., (1989) The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B.Eerdmans Publishing.

Pocock, M., Van Rheenen, G., McConnell, D., (2005) The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Ramambason, L. W., (1999) Missiology: Its Subject Matter and Methodology. Frankfurt-am-Main: Peter Lang.

Richardson, R., (2000) Evangelism Outside the Box; New Ways to Help People Experience the Good News. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Sanneh, L., Carpenter, J., (eds.), (2005) The Changing Face of Christianity: Africa, the West, and The World. Oxford: OUP.

Sweet, L, (ed.), (2005) The Church in Emerging Culture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Vanhoozer, K., Anderson, C., Sleasman, M., (2007) Everyday theology: how to read cultural texts and Interpret Trends. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
Wright, Chris, (2006) The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Leicester: IVP.


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