Winter 2009
FSW - Phoenix
GM551
McNichols

DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to issues related to the leadership of missional communities of faith in a rapidly changing culture. The course will help students to develop a broad view of the missional nature of the church that is both local and global. Students will be equipped to help their communities to engage in local and global mission in a manner that is biblically and theologically informed as well as sensitive to the movement of the emerging culture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course, students will demonstrate (1) the ability to analyze and critique the missional nature of their own local ministry context; (2) a biblical and theological understanding of mission in a variety of ministry contexts; (3) an understanding of the missional nature of diverse ministry expressions; (4) an appreciation of global transformations in the world today and their significance for the church’s ministry; (5) an understanding of how demographic shifts impact the functional nature of the church’s contextual mission.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet on four Saturdays for a total of 30 hours of class time
including lectures, discussion, presentations and small group feedback.

REQUIRED READING: 
• Barrett, Lois, et al. Treasure in Clay Jars. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. [194 pp] ISBN: 080282692X.
• Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. [182 pp] ISBN: 0830833013.
• Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984. [185 pp] ISBN: 0800618025.
• Newbigin, Lesslie. The Open Secret. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. [200 pp] ISBN: 0802808298.
• Nouwen, Henri. In the Name of Jesus. New York: Crossroad, 1993. [107 pp] ISBN: 0824512596.
• Wuthnow, Robert. After the Baby Boomers. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2007. [278 pp] ISBN: 0691127654.
• Course Reader

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
1. Class attendance and participation. (20%)
2. A 6-8-page paper that evaluates the missional character of the student’s own community of faith, using the “Patterns of the Missional Church” in the Barrett text. (20%)
3. Three 1,500 word essays based on interaction with the course readings. Topics will be provided in the syllabus (available on Portico). (60%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv.: MIN8; MAT: GLBL; MAT: Leadership Elective

FINAL EXAM: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.