Description: This unit considers frameworks for mission in modern Western culture. The student will analyze approaches to mission in modern Western culture, such as the seminal contributions of Lesslie Newbigin and David Bosch; the North American Gospel and our Culture Network; and the Australian Emerging Missional Church movement.

 

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit student will be able to:

1. Identify, analyse and evaluate the key themes and contributions of seminal thinkers in the relationship of mission, gospel and culture in the West.
2. Demonstrate ability in researching and evaluating the contribution of a movement and the role of seminal thinkers and bodies of literature for the practice of ministry and mission today.
3. Develop and articulate a critical understanding of what effective and responsible mission might look like in the Australian context
4. Discuss and reflect upon how course themes and principles can be applied to contemporary challenges in mission in the student's local ministry context.
5. Demonstrate critical understanding and capacity to evaluate approaches to mission to individuals, society and deep level structures of modern Western Culture.

Corequisites                           None

Prohibited Combinations          None

 

Assessment:

(3rd undergraduate level)
One critical review of readings (1500 words) Due the first day of the intensive 25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 2, 3
One seminar paper (1500 words) Draft presented during the intensive Due one month after the intensive 25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 2, 3, 4
One thematic essay with reflection and application for local context (2500 words) Due end of semester 50%
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 3, 4

(3rd graduate level)
One critical review of readings (1500 words) Due the first day of the intensive 25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 2, 3
One seminar paper (1500 words) Draft presented during the intensive -Due one month after the intensive 25%
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 2, 3, 4
One thematic essay with reflection and application for local context (3000 words) Due end of semester 50% Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 3, 4

(4th PG level)
One thematic essay with reflection and application for local context (6000 words) Due end of semester Draft of literature review section presented during the intensive
Learning Outcomes Assessed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Recommended Reading:

* Bosch, David J. Believing in the Future: Towards a Missiology of Western Culture, Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1995
Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1991
Bouma, G Australian Soul: Religion and Spirituality in the Twenty-first Century, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006
Cronshaw, D Credible witness: Companions, prophets, hosts and other Australian mission models. Springvale: Urban Neighbours of Hope, 2006
Foust, Thomas F., George R.Hunsberger, J. Andrew Kirk & Werner Ustorf, (Eds), A Scandalous Prophet: The Way of Mission after Newbigin, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001
Frost, Michael, and Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st-Century Church. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2003
* Guder, Darrell L., (Ed) Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998
* Newbigin, Lesslie, Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986
Newbigin, Lesslie, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989
Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church: A Community Led by the Spirit. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007
Van Gelder, Craig, ed. The Missional Church in Context: Helping Congregations Develop Contextual Ministry. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007