Module Narrative


Module Title: Apostolic Ministry in Today’s church (The Holy Spirit and Contemporary Church Ministries)
Module Code: THE602
Level: 6
Credit Points: 20 Credits
Compulsory or Optional: Compulsory
Pre-requisites/co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations or modules: None
Mode of attendance: Mixed

Rationale:

The New Testament is rich in its description of the traditions and practices of the Apostles that led to the rapid spreading of the gospel in the primitive Church. This included the primacy given to the person and working of the Holy Spirit. The engagement of the Church in these traditions and practices has largely been determined by the dominant strand of the prevailing Christian thought. This module explores these traditions and practices particularly as embedded in the Pentecostal tradition and evaluates their expression in the church today. It will also explore how today’s church can enhance the propagation of the gospel through the expression of these traditions and practices.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:
1. evaluate the apostolic traditions and practices as expressed in selected church ages and their implications to the development of the church.
2. identify and critically evaluate key theological positions relating to the expression of spiritual gifts in the church today..
3. critically discuss the relevance of the expressions of spiritual gifts in the enhancement of the ministry of the contemporary church.
Skills
This module will call for the successful student to demonstrate:
4. a critical examination of, and engagement with some key theological and practical ideas relating to the use of spiritual gifts in the church today.

Syllabus
Key elements of the biblical data regarding the expression of the use of spiritual gifts in the New Testament with particular reference to the Acts of the Apostles; the historical and theological development of understandings of the operations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the Pentecostal Christian tradition; differing understanding of the expressions of the working of the Holy Spirit in the Church and how this has enhanced or affected Church growth. Practical skills development sessions on how spiritual gifts can enhance church ministries. Self-reflection on the student’s own ministry.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

This course will be taught through the art of facilitation aimed at drawing out insights from students in response to stimulating readings, lectures and videos.

Class time will be used for a combination of lectures, discussions of qualitative research articles and practical exercises. In additional to attending classes, students should be prepared to spend about another six hours per week on activities related to this course. These activities include reading the required and recommended articles of relevance to this course and preparing for assignments and preparation of an approved research proposal.

Students will work in groups on a project approved by the tutor and summarise their findings in in a group presentation and reflective report.

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
• Group project plan outline and discussions (formative assessment)
• Essay plan (formative assessment)

• Group Project and presentation with 1500 word reflective report showing individual contributions with Tutor and Peer assessment (summative assessment)]
• Essay 2500 words (summative assessment)
Assessment Weighting
Presentation and Report 50%
Essay 50%

Core
Fee, G. D. (2009) God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers.

Essential
Thiselton, A. C. (2013) The Holy Spirit: In Biblical Teaching, through the Centuries, and Today. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans.

Wagner, P. C. (2012) Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow. Ventura: Regal Books.
Recommended

Baile, F. (2007) The Unseen World of the Holy Spirit: Experiencing the Fullness of God’s Presence. Shippensburg: Destiny Image.

Bock, D. L. (2012) A Theology of Luke and Acts: God’s Promised Program, Realized for All Nations. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Craig, K. S. (2001) Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics.

Enyia, S. O. (2010) Be Healed!: Challenges and Triumphs of Health and Healing. Bloomington: Xlibris Corporation.

Kinghorn, K. C. (2005) The New Testament Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lexington: Emeth Press.

Parigi, P. (2012) The Rationalization of Miracles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Warrington, K. (2009) Message of the Holy Spirit (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press.

Welchel, T. (2013) True Stories of the Miracles of Azusa Street and Beyond: Relive One of The Greatest Outpourings in History that is Breaking Loose Once Again. Shippensburg: Destiny Image.


Online Application
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