COURSE SYLLABUS EV 530 Foundations for Evangelization UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Spring 2016 Weds. 6:30-9:20 Rev. Peter Bellini Ph.D Office: #1306 Phone: 937-529-2201 pbellini@united.edu I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to basic principles and practices of evangelization. The course will examine the scriptural, theological, and historical foundations for evangelization as well as current models, types, practices and debates. II. TEXTBOOKS: Required Reading: The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church Paul Chilcote. Eerdmanns. 978-0-8028-0391-7 The Complete Book of Discipleship. Bill Hull. Nav Press. # 978-1576838976. 2006 The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative. Christopher Wright. IVP Academic. 978-0830825714 Who s Afraid of Postmodernism. James K.A. Smith. Baker Academic 2006. 978-0-8010-2918-9 The Master Plan of Evangelism with Study Guide. Revell. Robert E. Coleman. 978-0739466131 RECOMMENDED READING: Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional. Alvin Reid. 978-0805445428.B&H Books. The Story of Evangelism: A History of the Witness to the Gospel, Robert G. Tuttle Jr., Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2006. III. GOALS: This course may be used to fulfill the Evangelism requirement This course may be used to fulfill as an elective for the Church Renewal area of concentration SLO: Student s work exhibits an understanding of the Church and its mission This is a core course that serves as an introduction to the basic principles and practices of evangelization. The course will examine the scriptural, theological,
and historical foundations for evangelization as well as current models, types, practices and debates so that student s work might exhibit an understanding of the Church and its mission. The course provides a general overview of the history of evangelism and critiques the church s failures and successes. The course teaches a missional hermeneutic for the reading of Scripture that will help to the student to construct a theology of evangelization that is scriptural, Trinitarian and context sensitive and adaptable to the overall theology, mission, and life of the church. It will enable the student to identify, analyze and critique a wide variety of models, types and practices of evangelism, including postmodern contexts for the purpose of strategizing sound and effective evangelization. The course will examine a discipleship model of evangelism that can be applied through the ministry of the church. The course will enable one to share one s faith and personal witness through writing a testimony and delivering it. IV. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: In order to demonstrate an understanding of the Church and its mission students will be expected to: 1. Identify and explain at least 5 major models of evangelization. 2. Apply one of those model to the practice of sharing their own faith. 3. Apply one of those models in designing a plan of evangelization for a local congregation. 4. Read, analyze, and apply several texts on evangelization. V. TEACHING STRATEGIES: The class will be taught through a combination of strategies, lecture, Power Point, question and answer, video, small group if size allows, discussion forum, prayer, and hopefully practical opportunities to share our faith. VI. CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND READINGS: Feb 24- Defining Mission and Evangelism God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit open my heart and eyes to your mission of salvation in the world. Help me to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit who evangelizes the world and witnesses to Jesus Christ. Use me to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in all of my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Jesus name, Amen. Definitions of Mission. Defining mission and evangelism Missio Dei
What is your definition of evangelism? Interview two other people from your church to discover their definitions. Discuss your findings on the Discussion Forum. Mar 2- : Scriptural Foundations for Evangelism Gracious Holy God, show me your Divine purpose of mission throughout your Word. May I see your work of grace and truth on each page. May I understand how my story, how our stories, are written into your story of love. And give me boldness by your Spirit to proclaim the Good News in Christ s name, Amen. Scripture as a missional document Scriptural Foundations for Evangelism Read: Wright text, The Mission of God. Focus onpp.21-69 Describe which working metaphor best describes your understanding of Scripture and your congregation s understanding and why. Is it an answer book, history book, science book, storybook, atlas (book of maps), or other. Post on the Discussion Forum. Mar 9 - : Theological Foundations for Evangelism God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you have loved this world from before its beginning. Although it has fallen into sin and death, your love has not changed. You sent your Son to redeem it, and you sent your Spirit to sanctify it. Thank you for your amazing grace. Let your love be proclaimed in all that we do to all persons everywhere, in Christ name, Amen. Missio Trinitatis Theological Foundations for Evangelism Why Evangelize? How about evangelizing for peace, peace with God. Go to the link and follow the interactive digital evangelistic website. http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/ Mar 16 - Historical Foundations: Early Christianity Lord your message of salvation spread throughout the world in the early days of the faith through the faithful proclamation of the truth that Christ had died, risen
and will come again. Your saints testified boldly and your Spirit manifested many signs and wonders that followed. May it be so today in our day. May it begin with me, Amen. The Spread of Early Christianity Go to the following links: Here is a fun video on the spread of early Christianity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwmczg15lyu Rise of the Jesus Movement click on chapter 7 once on the site http://video.pbs.org/video/1365214164/ Rodney Stark s Theory on the Rise of Early Christianity. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/starktheology.html Other theories on Why Rome embraced Christianity. Follow link to the audio. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/audio.html Persecution as a form of Evangelism http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/martyrs.html Early Historical Foundations for Evangelism What was early Christianity s most vital and effective form of evangelism and why? Was it persecution, social networks, its doctrines, its organizational ability, conversion of Rome, being a Jewish sect, its practices, or other forms How can social networks (Stark) be used today as networks for evangelism? http://www.ransom.tv/ is a virtual network for Christian youth evangelism. Mar 23 - : Historical Foundations: Medieval & Reformation Christianity God of grace and peace forgive us for our misuse of the Gospel and for our hypocrisy. For often we do not live up to what we preach. Forgive us for our pride, prejudice, and presumption. Grant us humility and by your grace grant us the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit that we may be your true witnesses in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen. The Rise of Christendom: Conversion by Kingdom and Conquest This period of evangelization in Christian history was marked by the conversion of barbarian nations through converted rulers, through the Crusades, and the Inquisition. For background on the Crusades and the Inquisition click the links to watch the videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqk-runtywy http://www.veoh.com/watch/v6523122zzkef8yx Joseph Fletcher s work, The Barbarian Conversion documents the spread of Christianity through Europe following the fall of Rome. Cuius region, eius religio The faith of the ruler becomes the religion of the realm. Click on the link for a review of this work. http://ojs.globalmissiology.org/index.php/english/article/viewfile/220/613
Monasticism Through preaching, discipleship, serving the poor, planting churches and apostolic monasteries, monasticism became an effective agency for spreading the Gospel during Medieval Christianity. http://vimeo.com/31413059 What are the popular forms of evangelization that are advancing the Gospel today? Which ones in your opinion are propounding a cultural version of Christianity which may not always be the best forms and at times harmful to the cause of the Gospel. The question is Are our forms of advancing the Gospel true to Scripture and the work of the Spirit, or are they contrary to the Gospel message itself? HOLY WEEK April 6 - : Modern Christianity Spirit of the Living God revive your church again. Revive our hearts to love you and love our neighbors and our enemies. Revive us to preach and live your Word so that when people see us they would see Christ. May we become living epistles and testimonies of your grace and truth to all who would read us this day and everyday. Ignite your people with holy love and fire from above to be your church that manifests the life and power of the Spirit to liberate those who are oppressed and to heal the brokenhearted and to deliver the captives. Let it begin now O God. Let it begin with me. Amen. Modern evangelism from the First Great Awakening onward fashioned many new measures or methods to help to facilitate revival. Some of those methods were the altar call, the camp meeting, the revival meeting,the crusade, and other forms. An example of a modern form of evangelism is the altar call. It was originally developed by Charles Finney in the Second Great Awakening as a new measure to facilitate revival and transformation following an evangelistic sermon. Click on the link below for a Pentecostal altar call. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dykrg9otrye The Asbury Revival of 1970. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qoqitikuns Camp meeting promo lol video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdkgwkb8ns Personal Faith Sharing. This website shows one way how to share your faith. http://www.howtoshareyourfaith.com/ http://www.howtoshareyourfaith.com/downloads.asp http://www.howtoshareyourfaith.com/highlights_video1.asp Some websites show how to write and share your testimony. http://www.5clicks.com/ http://www.miskitomissions.com/partnershipresources/howtowriteyourtestimony/ tabid/157/default.aspx
Try to attend a revival or camp meeting in your town if there is one available. If not attend a Pentecostal or non-denominational church that is revivalistic in its meetings. Share your experience on the discussion forum. Is there still a place for the crusade, revival, camp meeting type of mass evangelism? Why or why not? Post your comments. April 13-27 : Theologies, Models and Practices Loving God, you have made all things good and according to your own ways. All of your purposes are accomplished in wisdom and in love. From creation, to redemption and to the new creation you work all things for good for your people. Spirit of God give us a heart for those who suffer; those who are alone; those who are in need; those who do not know you; and those who are cry out for mercy. Reveal your strategies for reaching hurt and broken people to our churches that we may participate in your work to find and save those who are lost - in Jesus name, Amen. Types of Evangelism click on links to at least three methods of evangelism. Personal confrontational evangelism using the 10 Commandments. This form is a street method that is confrontational and aggressive, yet is always seems to get a response of one sort or another for better or worse. This form may be the negative example of what people think when they think of evangelism. Listen to the following links. http://www.wayofthemaster.com/learntoshare.shtml Watch the various personal evangelism videos on this link http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml Click on this link for video lessons on how to use the 10 Commandments to evangelize. http://www.wayofthemaster.com/videolessons.shtml Servant Evangelism is a method developed by the Vineyard which involves simple acts of kindness and service as a means of evangelism. Click this link to learn about servant evangelism. http://www.servantevangelism.com/about/ http://www.servantevangelism.com/questions/ More articles on servant evangelism. http://www.servantevangelism.com/articles/ One example of prayer evangelism. http://www.commandtwo.org/prayer_evang.php The Lausanne document on prayer and evangelism. http://www.lausanne.org/docs/2004forum/lop42_ig13.pdf Click on and read this overview of Robert Coleman s Master plan of Evangelism. http://www.eldrbarry.net/ug/8and7.pdf http://www.intervarsity.org/mx/item/4267/download/ Links for cyber evangelism. http://www.cyberevangelism.net/ Try this free cyber evangelism app http://www.billygraham.org/bgea-app.asp
Prophetic evangelism uses the gift of personal prophecy to reach people. http://www.propheticevangelism.net/pages/ http://www.empoweringministries.org/ Learn about the conversion of John Wesley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9od4cvo9nhu EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP May 4 - : Culture, Worldview and Evangelism Lord of the Nations, you have made all persons in your image and likeness. They are fearfully and wonderfully made. You sent your Son, the Word who became one of us and dwelt among us. He loved the world so much that he gave his life up for it. You call us to lift Jesus high so all will be drawn unto him. You call your church to embody your word and become flesh to all people. Help us to love and embrace the diversity within humanity and to offer God s love in ways that are led by your Spirit and are respectful and meaningful to people of every culture - In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen. Culture, Worldview and Evangelism Watch the Transformations DVD. An example of a contextual ministry that was birthed out of the largest sexually oriented business district in Ohio is the Oasis House for women. Founded by Higher Ground United Methodist Church. http://www.oasisforwomen.org/ Fill out the Logikon assessment to help your ministry target and develop a contextual ministry. The tool helps one to understand their church and community better. MODELS OF EVANGELIZATION PAPER DUE MAY 4 May 11-18 : Postmodernism and Evangelism God of many tongues you spoke by the Spirit at Pentecost to many people in diverse ways. Help your church to learn to communicate the salvation found in Jesus Christ to all people. Give us illumination to reach unreached people in new ways. Give us the gift of tongues to communicate the Gospel to people who have never truly heard it in their own language, culture, idiom, sign system, or medium. Open a door that we may speak with a new tongue to someone that needs to hear Good News today. Amen. Postmodernism and Evangelism Google and research websites on the following postmodern movements within the church: emerging church, new monasticism, missional church, ancient-future
movement, organic church movement, liquid church movement, sticky church movement, tribal church movement, and deep church movement. FAITH SHARING PAPER DUE MAY 11 BIG IDEAS REVIEW DUE MAY 18 VII: SEMINARY STANDARDS: A. Inclusive language United Theological Seminary has an official policy regarding the use of Inclusive Language. The policy may be found in the Seminary Catalog and further explained in the Student Handbook. If you have specific questions, please see the instructor. B. Academic Integrity Student integrity regarding all work assigned in this class is a basic expectation of the Seminary community. A detailed policy regarding what constitutes a violation of academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook. C. Online Confidentiality One of the highlights of the online classroom is that students can draw from the experiences shared during class discussions and in written work. However, it is imperative that students do not share information that is confidential, privileged, or proprietary in nature. In addition, students are expected to honor the privacy and confidentiality of their classmates by not disclosing online conversations with those outside of the classroom. D. Statement on Disability Any student who may need accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Registrar s office. VIII: USING ONLINE RESOURCES: For information about how to access Online United and where to find help if you need it may be found on the seminary website at http://online.united.edu. Live support and help guides are available once you have logged into the United Online site in the upper right corner. To get online help with the Student Portal, United mail, or any other system on campus, email: onlinehelp@united.edu. IX. EVALUATION: A. Assignments - Will consist of reading the required texts, class participation and discussion, a BIG Idea paper, a Faith Sharing paper, and a Model of Evangelization paper. 1. BIG Idea Paper (30%) Your paper will have 5 sections, one for each text. For each section, you will select the BIG Idea of the text. 1-2pp for each section. 7-10pp total. Due May 18 Identify the BIG Idea of the text
Interact with the Idea Do you agree or disagree with it? Why? What is your position? How does it apply to your local ministry context 2. Faith Sharing Paper (30%) Write a 3-5 pp spiritual autobiography in which you share your faith journey. Use scripture but use clear, simple communication strategies to convey your conversion and/or faith journey to someone from your own context. Use your metaphor. Find someone to share a 5-10 minute version of your story with. It could be someone you know or do not know, a believer or an unbeliever. Write an additional one page on your reaction and the listener s reaction to your faith-shared narrative. Due May 11 3. A Model of Evangelization (30%) Using scriptural, theological and historical foundations offered in the class, construct a model for evangelization that could be used in your local ministry context. Also, include in the model financial, training, equipping, strategizing, and evaluating pieces and any other component your model requires to implement it from its inception to fruition. Take into great consideration your local context as well and be sure to exegete it thoroughly so you can contextualize your evangelization strategy. The paper should be 8-12 pp, doublespace, Times New Roman and should include the following sections: scriptural foundations, theological and historical foundations, full description of your model, an exegesis of your local context (demographic and cultural description) and a culturespecific strategy to implement it from the ground up. Due May 4 4. Class Participation (10%) Students are expected to interact with the lecture material, texts, professor, and students through regular online and face to face participation, discussion, critical analysis, practice, sharing of experience, and prayer. B. Method of Determining Grade: Class Participation 10% BIG Idea Paper 30% A Model of Evangelization Paper 30 % Faith Sharing Paper and Practice 30% Total: 100% A GRADING RUBRIC FOR ACADEMIC PAPERS Writing an academic paper at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level should be free from spelling mistakes, grammatical or mechanical errors, plagiarized ideas, or references not cited. Get good grammar and writer s handbooks to brush
up on your skills if you are uncertain as to what constitutes quality, cogent writing. Also, edit each completed paper at least three times. A basic paper should include an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement that drives the entire paper and at least three to five points that substantiate your thesis. The body of the paper should consist of paragraphs that develop at least three to five points that substantiate your thesis. Every paper should have a conclusion that summarizes the paper s finding but offers no new insights. Below is a grading rubric and description of what A,B, and C papers should look like: A = EXCELLENT/OUTSTANDING B = ABOVE AVERAGE/GOOD WORK C = AVERAGE/ACCEPTABLE A An A should meet the following standards: 1. Excellent analytic, grammatical and logical mechanics and style 2. Outstanding scholarly rigor and grasp of the material 3. A high level of originality in terms of presenting new ideas 4. An excellent detailed and quality interaction with the material and sources 5. Meets all the basic requirements as assigned by the Professor B A B should meet the following standards: 1. Above average analytic, grammatical and logical mechanics and style 2. Good scholarly rigor and grasp of the material 3. An above average level of originality in terms of presenting new ideas 4. A good detailed interaction with the material and sources 5. Meets all the basic requirement s as assigned by the Professor C A C should meet the following standards: 1. Mechanics and style are acceptable 2. Scholarship and grasp of the material is sufficient 3. Average level of originality 4. Sufficient interaction with the material and sources 5. Basic requirements as assigned by the Professor were met X. STUDENT COURSE EVALUATIONS: It is very important for students to submit a course evaluation toward the end of the semester. Instructors do not see the student evaluations at all until after the instructors have submitted the students final official grades. Students should feel free to evaluate the course without any negative ramifications.
XI. REFERENCES: This would be where you might put a bibliography or other student learning helps specific to your course. Abraham, William. Logic of Evangelism Adeney, Frances. Graceful Evangelism Ahn, Che. Spirit-led Evangelism. Bruggeman, Walter. Biblical Perspective on Evangelism. Careaga, Andrew. eministry: Connecting with the Net Generation. Chilcote, Paul ed. The Study of Evangelism Coleman, Robert. The Master Plan of Evangelism Geisler, Norman. Conversational Evangelism. Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Heath, Elaine. Mystic Way of Evangelism. Hull, Bill. Complete Book of Discipleship. Hunter, George. To Spread the Power. Jones, Scott. Evangelistic Love of God and Neighbor. Kallenberger, Brad. Live to Tell. Klaiber, Walter. Call and Response. Leiderbach, Mark. The Convergent Church. Logan, James. Theology and Evangelism in the Wesleyan Heritage. McRaney, Will. The Art of Personal Evangelism. Morganthaler, Sally. Worship Evangelism. Ogbonda,Esther. Cyber Evangelism. Outler, Albert. Evangelism and Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit Pickard, Steve. Liberating Evangelism. Pippert, Becky. Out of the Salt Shaker and into the World. Reese, Martha Grace. Unbinding the Gospel. Reid, Alvin. Evangelism Handbook Silvoso, Ed. Evangelism. Sjogren, Steve. Conspiracy of Kindness. Smith, James. Who s Afraid of Postmodernism. Stone, Bryan. Evangelism After Christendom. Tennent, Timothy. Invitation to World Missions Terry, John Mark. Evangelism a concise History. Tuttle, Robert. The Story of Evangelism. Wimber, John. Power Evangelism. Wright, Christopher. The Mission of God