MC532:
Evangelizing Nominal Christians (4
units)
Eddie
Gibbs, Donald A. McGavran Professor of
Church Growth
Summer 2004 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course addresses a problem that is endemic among the older churches of the West and is an emerging problem in many areas of the non-Western world. Nominality represents sub-normal Christianity, which is deficient in terms of biblical knowledge, faith, devotional practice and a failure to apply Christian faith to daily life. The course defines nominality, assesses its extent and progress, and provides biblically informed reflection, identifying itc causes within the life of the individual, the institutional church, and society. Strategies are outlined to address the problem through revitalizing the local church, the discipling of church members and the credible communication of the good news of Jesus Christ.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
• Understand the extent and complexity of Nominal
Christianity.
• Identify the principal sources of nominality as they impact the life of the
church and individual.
• Address the root causes and be equipped to outline strategies to address the
challenge of Nominal Christianity in a stated context.
COURSE
FORMAT:
Course will meet for three hours per day during a two-week intensive. Class discussions based on pre-reading of required reading and syllabus outline notes. Students will be required to demonstrate that they have adequately prepared for classes by having reflected on the issues covered in the notes, informed by their reading and applied to a stated context.
REQUIRED
READING:
A
minimum of 1000 pages is required from the books listed below:
Gibbs, Eddie. In Name Only. Wheaton: Victor/Bridgepoint, 1994, 319 pp. Only available through the Fuller Bookstore.
Bruce, Steve. Religion in the Modern
World: From Cathedrals to Cults. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1996, 1997.
Demarest, Bruce, Satisfy Your Soul. Colorado
Springs:NavPress, 1999.
Kallenberg, Brad. Live to Tell. Grand
Rapids: Brazos Press, 2002.
Ogden, Greg, Transforming Discipleship. Downers
Grove:InterVarsity Press, 2003.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Gallup,
George, Jr. and Timothy Jones. The Next American Spirituality. Victor,
Cook Communications, 2000.
Hunter, George G. How To Reach Secular People. Nashville:
Abingdon. 1992, 171 pp.
McDermott, Gerald R. Can Evangelicals Learn From World Religions?
Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2000, 226 pp.
They Call Themselves Christians, London:
Christian Research, 1999. Only
available through the Fuller Bookstore.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Two
3,000 word papers (double –spaced): The
first paper applies the insights gained on defining and describing nominality,
applying them to a specific faith community.
The second paper addresses the themes of discipleship and evangelismin
relation to the student’s personal life and the faith community with which he
or she identifies.
Th.M. students will be required to read two additional books and write two
3,750 word papers. Their work should
demonstrate a more thorough understanding of the issues arising from their
ministry experience.
Note: Both papers must demonstrate a
detailed knowledge of, and reflective responses to, knowledge and insights
gained from the class and assigned reading.
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATION
TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets the Min
3 requirement in SOT.
FINAL
EXAMINATION: None.