GB Jan. 20/21; Feb. 10/11; March 24/25 Spring 2017 Fridays 5-9; Saturday 8-5

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1 SYLLABUS MISSIONAL STRATEGIES IN EMERGING CULTURE GB Jan. 20/21; Feb. 10/11; March 24/25 Spring 2017 Fridays 5-9; Saturday 8-5 Earl Lavender Office: Ezell 220B Meets in Ezell 234 Catalogue description: A practical and theological analysis of contemporary efforts to be and become missional churches in both domestic and international settings. The study includes biblical foundations, historical implications, and contemporary applications. Emphasis is given to the mission of the church in postmodern and cross-cultural contexts. Required texts: Bible (version of your choice, ideally a Bible in which you will be able to freely mark) Goheen, Michael W. A Light to the Nations. (Baker Academic, 2011) Gorman, Michael J. Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation and Mission (Eerdmans, 2015) Root, Andrew. Cristopraxis: A Practical Theology of the Cross (Fortress Press, 2014) Roxburgh, Alan, and Fred Romanuk. The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. (Jossey-Bass, 2006) Course Design: 1. The course will begin by studying the root of mission in the heart of God in the biblical text. The importance of a narrative reading of the redemptive story of which we are a part will be a major point of emphasis. Goheen s book will serve for this purpose. 2. We will then work on developing a missional theology and ecclesiology, based on the biblical story as well as Root s Christopraxis. Here we will deal with developing a missional theology based on partnership with the Triune God. Root is a dense and difficult read, but offers very helpful insight on the place of practical theology as a basis for missional theology that comes out of the biblical story. 3. Gorman s Becoming the Gospel will form the basis for our continuing study. We will consider the writing of Christianity s greatest missionary the apostle Paul for what he says specifically about evangelistic outreach. At this point in the class, we will have established a biblically based missional theology (the focus of the first required paper see below). This will serve as the foundation for the second half of the course. 4. The study will next focus on the heart of the leader. Using The Missional Leader as a guide, we will work though the characteristics and skills needed to lead a church in a missional direction 5. Building off of the entire study, we will conclude the class with a discussion of missional strategy by faith communities in the context of each student s specific emerging culture. Course objectives

2 Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Identify a biblical view of the world and understand God s missional essence. The primary intent of the course is to aid the student in developing a genuine passion for missio dei. Identify a biblical theology of mission and how to identify and pursue the nexus of the God/humanity partnership in Missio Dei (the mission of God). Identify a theology of mission that one will consciously and fervently pursue, which is consistent with the apostle Paul s understanding of living out God s mission. Verbalize awareness of the cultural changes that provide exciting opportunities for God s mission. Identify and develop the organizational skills needed to plan kingdom expanding efforts wherever one is working. Recognize and pursue the role of spiritual leadership in the calling of all believers to full participation in missio dei. Have the ability to coach and cultivate missional imagination in the minds of all members in a community of faith. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING: Pre-Course Essay (10% - due at first weekend meeting January 20) All students are to write a 1,000 word (minimum, no more than 1,500 words) description of your understanding of God s mission in the world, concluding with an explanation of what you hope to gain for this study. You are encouraged to briefly review your own spiritual journey in the context of this assignment. First Course Paper (25% - Due at beginning of second weekend meeting February 10) Each student is to write a carefully researched paper entitled, A Biblical Theology of Mission. The paper is to be a minimum of 3,000 words (no more than 5,000). It is to take into consideration the class readings and discussions, but should be built on a strong biblical foundation. This paper will serve as the foundation for the final class research project. Note: This is to be sent as an attachment to earl.lavender@lipscomb.edu. Class participation (30%) Each student is expected to attend each weekend session and be fully prepared with the preclass readings. Quizzes may be given at the beginning of the residencies to make sure the reading is being done. Final Research Project (35% of grade, due April 28). Each student is to write a carefully researched project based on the missional principles studied in class. Working off of one s theology of mission paper, the student is encouraged to choose a possible missional project. It is strongly suggested this project be doable by the student. It is of particular value is the project involves a current ministry in which the student is involved. The final paper should contain at least 5,000 words (theology of mission included in this count). It should reference at least 15 reliable sources of various types (books, journal articles, etc). Class required resources count towards the 15. Course requirements and calendar:

3 The course is divided into three weekend residencies. The books listed must be read by the first of the residencies. The presentations will be prepared with an understanding that the students are prepared by reading the assigned material. January 20/21 Read Goheen s A Light to the Nations and Root s Christopraxis. We will begin the residency discussing the missional narrative and work into Root s understanding of practical theology and critical realism. The outcome of the first weekend should provide the needed information to begin writing one s Theology of Mission which is due at the beginning of the February 10 residency. February 10/11 Theology of Mission paper due. Read Gorman s Becoming the Gospel. We will discuss full participation in the biblical narrative. This will involve a discussion of cruciform theosis as missional living. March 24/25 We will discuss Roxburgh and Romanuk s The Missional Leader. This will lead to an identification of the final project (which should be submitted before the end of this final residency). April 28 Final project papers due (send as attachment to earl.lavender@lipscomb.edu) Bibliography (Books only note the required books for this course are not listed again here. There are many excellent articles on missional church and the influence of culture, but they are not listed here): Anderson, Ray S An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen 2004 The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Bauckham, Richard 2003 Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Barret, Lois Y. et al 2004 Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co. Boren, Scott M Missional Small Groups: Becoming a Community That Makes a Difference in the World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Briggs, Alan Staying Is the New Going: Choosing to Love Where God Places You. NavPress. Burke, John 2005 No Perfect People Allowed: Creating A Come As You Are Culture in the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Claiborne, Shane 2006 The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Cosden, Darrell 2006 The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work. Peabody, MA. Hendrickson Press. Driscoll, Mark 2004 The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out. Grand Rapids, MI:

4 Zondervan Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Duvall, J. Scott and J. Daniel Hays 2012 Living God s Word: Discovering our Place in the Great Story of Scripture. Grand Rapids, Zondervan Fitch, David E The Great Giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the Church from Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Frost, Michael 2006 Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers The Road to Missional: Journey to the Center of the Church. Grand Rapids, Baker. Frost, Michael and Alan Hirsch 2003 The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21 st -Century Church. Peabody, MA. Hendrickson Publishers ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub. Glasser, Authur F Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God s Mission in the Bible: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic) Goll, James W The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Pub. Guder, Darrell, ed The Missional Church: A Vison for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman s Press Called to Witness: Doing Missional Theology. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Halter, Hugh and Matt Smay 2008 The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community. Jossey-Bass. Heibert, Paul G The Gospel in Human Contexts: Anthropological Explorations for Contemporary Missions. Baker Academic. Helland, Roger and Leonard Hjalmarson Missional Spirituality: Embodying God s Love from the Inside Out: Grand Rapids, IVP. Henderson, Jim Evangelism Without Additives. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press. Henderson, Jim and Matt Casper 2007 Jim and Casper Go to Church: Frank Conversation about Faith, Churches, and Well- Meaning Christians. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Hill, Graham 2012 Salt, Light, and a City: Introducing Missional Ecclesiology. Eugene, OR. Wipf & Stock. Holloway, Gary and Earl Lavender Meditative Commentary Series. Abilene, TX: Leafwood Publishers. Hirsch, Alan 2006 The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press Hirsch, Alan and Lance Ford Right Here Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People. Grand Rapids: Baker Howerton, Mike 2004 The Relevant Church: A New Vision For Communities of Faith. Relevant. Jenkins, Phillip 2002 The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. Oxford 2006 The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South. Oxford Keifert, Patrick 2007 We Are Here Now: A New Missional Era. Eagle, Idaho: Allelon Publishing.

5 Kimball, Dan 2007 They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Kirk, Andrew J Mission Under Scrutiny: Confronting Contemporary Challenges. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. McClaren, Brian D The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group (Thomas Nelson) McKnight, Scot 2010 One.Life: Jesus Calls We Follow. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. McNeal, Reggie 2003 The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. San Francisco: San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post Congregational Church: San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Minatrea, Milfred 2004 Shaped By God s Heart: the Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass. Muck, Terry and Frances S. Adeney 2009 Christianity Encountering World Religions: The Practice of Mission in the Twenty-first Century. Baker Academic Newbigin, Lesslie 1989 The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Peterson, Eugene 2005 Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Pocock, Michael, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell 2005 The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Putman, Jim 2010 Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches that Make Disciples. Colorado Spr. NavPress. Rainer, Thom S. and Eric Geiger 2006 Simple Church: Returning to God s Process for Making Disciples. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman. Rouse, Rick and Craig Van Gelder 2008 A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation: Embarking on a Jounrey of Transformation. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress. Roxburgh, Alan J. and M. Scott Boren 2009 Introducing the Missional Church: What It Is, Why It Matters, How to Become One. Grand Rapids, Baker Books. Roxburgh, Alan J. and Fred Romanuk 2010 Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass Structured for Mission: Renewing the Culture of the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: IVP Scandrette, Mark 2011 Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love. Grand Rapids, IVP. Stevens, R. Paul 1999 The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Stevens, R. Paul and Michael Green 2003 Living the Story: Biblical Spirituality for Everyday Christians. Eerdmans.

6 Stetzer, Ed 2006 Planting Missional Churches: Planting a Church That s Biblically Sound and Reaching People in Culture. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman. Stetzer, Ed and David Putman 2006 Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers. Sweet, Leonard 2009 So Beautiful: Divine Design for the Life and the Church. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Van Gelder, Craig The Ministry of the Missional Church: A Community Led By the Spirit. Grand Rapids, Baker Books. Van Gelder, Craig, ed The Missional Church in Context: Helping Congregations Develop Contextual Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI. Eerdmans Publishing The Missional Church & Leadership Formation: Helping Congregations Develop Leadership Capacity. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing. Van Gelder, Craig and Dwight J. Zscheile The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation. Grand Rapids, Baker Books. Webber, Robert E Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Willard, Dallas 2006 The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus Essential Teachings on Discipleship. San Francisco: Harper SanFrancisco. Woodward, JR 2012 Creating a Missional Culture: Equipping the Church for the Sake of the World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Wright, Christopher The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible s Grand Narrative. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press The Mission of God s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church s Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Wright, N.T The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. New York, NY: HarperOne After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. New York, NY: HarperOne How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels. New York:HarperOne. Zscheile, Dwight, ed Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans.