Fall 2010 PMIN 420 Missional Church Goals and Requirements Matthew Moore Contact information: 805.795.1350 (c) or 805.581.9532 ext. 125 mmoore@cornerstonesimi.com Overview The Missional Church course is designed to begin the process of developing a biblical philosophy of church ministry within members of God s church. The course begins by providing an overview of the story of God then focusing specifically on the centerpiece of human history the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel defines God s mission and His vehicle to accomplish His mission the church. This gospel then transforms His people individually and corporately into various identities that God created His church to be. These identities shape the patterns of life and rhythms of activity within God s people. God uses His gospel message to mobilize His people uniquely to join with Him in advancing His mission outwardly to every nation. The church is created by God to declare and demonstrate an accurate picture of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Learning Objectives The goal of this Missional Church course is to understand God s design for the local church. Jesus Christ promised that He would build His church by aligning His people by grace to their intended identity and purpose. This class will help you toward this goal by: Providing a biblical framework for God s story and gospel message. Developing a philosophy of church ministry that is derived primarily from the Scriptures rather than from pragmatic conclusions or secular philosophies. Presenting a proper understanding of the communal pursuit of Christian maturity, not merely as individuals, but as vital members of a community of believers. Exposing church members to how the various identities of the church shape God s people in their proximity/locale. Teaching the biblical patterns of church life and the so-termed sacraments of the church that God designed to edify His people into a loving and unified church. Providing tools to help church members to strive together to fulfill God s mission of declaring and demonstrating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Texts Total Church, Tim Chester and Steve Timmis Various Related Articles Schedule This class will meet each Sunday mornings of the Fall semester from 8:45-10:45 am. 1
Expectations and Assignments 1. Book and Article Reading (10%) Every week you will have assigned reading related to the topics being discussed in class. You will report the completion or incompletion of your assigned reading. Read carefully and thoughtfully. Mark up your books, articles, and Bibles. The entire reading assignment must be completed on the due date in order to receive any credit. No credit will be granted to reading completed after the due date. See the attached class schedule for the reading assignment due dates (see page 5). 2. Scripture Reading and Memorization (15%) Every week you will be required to read specific passages of Scripture (see page 5). Each portion of Scripture should be read 3 times slowly and thoughtfully. You must also memorize the specified verse(s) for the week. A verse is considered memorized when you can say it at least twice perfectly. Please use one of the following Bible translations: NASB, ESV, NKJV, or NIV. 3. Gospel Conversations (15%) You will be required periodically throughout the semester to enter into a gospel conversation with believers and/or unbelievers. Since the gospel is the power of God to salvation for unbelievers and the power of God for the sanctification for believers (Rom. 1:15-17), we should seek to fill our conversations with the gospel. The total length of these conversation(s) with the individual(s) must be at least one hour!!! You will be required to write a paragraph description of the conversation for that week. You will turn in a total of 5 Gospel Conversations (GC). You must include the following information to receive full credit. Name, Box #, Date Length of discussion (minutes) Name of individual(s) and setting where the discussion took place Paragraph description of the Gospel Conversation Topics: o GC 1 Discuss the importance of understanding the Story of God (8/29). o GC 2 Discuss how the gospel shapes hearts to pursue God s mission (9/12). o GC 3 Discuss a church identity that you and your community/church struggle to live in light of (10/31). o GC 4 Discuss how the Word of God and prayer can become a part of the DNA of your community/church without it becoming an apathetic religious activity (11/14). o GC 5 Discuss how you and your community/church can live incarnationally within your context/locale (11/28). 4. Church Development (20%) You are striving to be a missionary with other Christians in your neighborhood and sphere of influence (e.g. workplace, social gatherings, restaurants, friends, family, etc.). You will be required to work out your philosophy of ministry with your church/community. You will have 4 Church Development Assignments (CD) this semester. You will need to spend a minimum of 3 hours total on each CD assignment. You must turn in 1 FULL page (single spaced and typed) synopsis articulating your thoughts and subsequent actions regarding the CD topic. CD 1 Gather your community of believers together to discuss the importance of having a proper understanding of the story of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Describe in your synopsis what insights and misunderstandings exist within your community regarding these two biblical concepts. (9/19). 2
CD 2 Discuss with your community of believers the church s identity as a family of God and a body of Christ. Thank God together for ways in which your community has exemplified these church identities; constructively discuss hindrances that prevent your community from living out these identities (10/24). CD 3 Gather your community of believers together to celebrate the Lord s Supper. Discuss the importance of this spiritual activity and then lead your community through a time of partaking in the Lord s Supper together (11/07). CD 4 Lead a discussion with your community about God s broad mission for the church. Spend time brainstorming how God is calling your community/church to live in line with the mission of God in your locale. Discuss ways in which you can appropriately declare and demonstrate the gospel to those around you. Write out a biblical strategy to engage your neighborhood with the gospel (12/05). 5. Teaching Curriculum (40%) You will be responsible for creating a teaching curriculum on two topics discussed throughout the semester. You will also be responsible for teaching this curriculum to a community of believers. An evaluation of the teaching experience must be turned in as well. Here is a description of the two topics and the requirements for the curriculums. Topics: o TC 1 The Story of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ (10/03): Design a teaching curriculum that explains God s story from beginning to end. The story must be engaging and creative rather than simply informational and factual. The teaching curriculum must also include an explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explain specifically how the gospel aligns believers and unbelievers to live within the story of God. o TC 2 The Identity of the Church (11/21): Design a teaching curriculum that describes one of the biblical identities of the church. Consider the weakness of your community of believers and choose an identity of the church that needs to be further developed. Discuss the biblical principles of this particular church identity and also the practical implications relevant for your community. You must also demonstrate how this identity aligns a church/community to the story of God and how the gospel of Jesus Christ forms this identity within a group of people. Requirements (see page 4) Attendance and Grading 1. Attendance: Please be here on time and ready to begin promptly. A maximum of two classes may be missed without penalty. Each miss beyond two classes will result in a grade reduction of one full letter grade. It is your responsibility to pick up any handouts and to turn your work in on the due date, regardless of absences. 2. Late work: Work turned in after the due date without a valid excuse will be worth 50% up to one week and 0% after that!!! 3. Grading: Book and Article Reading 10% Scripture Reading and Memorization 15% Gospel Conversations (GC) 15% (5 @ 3% each) Church Development (CD) 20% (4 @ 5% each) Teaching Curriculums 40% (2 @ 20% each) 3
Teaching Curriculum Requirements These teaching curriculums are designed to help you further understand and then communicate the philosophy of ministry that you will be learning this semester. You have the freedom to be creative with how you design this teaching curriculum, but the following elements must be present. PAGE 1: Title Page - Name, Date, Box #, Teaching Curriculum Title PAGES 2-5: Body (4 FULL PAGES!!!!!!): The student must provide some explanation or commentary about how the selected passage relates to the subject being discussed. Much thought should also be given to how the passages are systematized/organized in the teaching curriculum. It must also be noticeable that the student thoughtfully interacted with the passages selected. Relevant applicational thoughts must be included throughout the paper. INTRODUCTION: Create a need! Demonstrate to your community of believers the relevance to the topic being discussed. a. Additional thoughts b. Additional thoughts B. MAIN THOUGHT/THEME: In one sentence summarize what you intend to teach or prove about the particular topic. I. PROPOSITION 1 1. Scripture references 2. Illustrations and examples 3. Additional thoughts B. Supporting thoughts C. Supporting thoughts II. PROPOSITION 2 (follow similar format as above) III. PROPOSITION 3 (follow similar format as above) CONCLUSION: Skillfully review the teaching points of your curriculum and provide thoughtful application and action points to your topic. B. Supporting thoughts C. Supporting thoughts PAGE 6: Bibliography - alphabetical order (At least five sources must be consulted.) - Note: Cite thoughts/quotes within the outline that are not original. - Proper Citation: Last, First. Title of Resource. City, State: Publishing Company, Year Published. ex. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2000. 4
Date Class Topic Assignment Due 08.22.10 The Story of God The Context of the Gospel 08.29.10 The Gospel of Jesus Christ R: Rom. 6:1-11; Gal. 2:11-21; M: Gal. 2:20-21 - The Path of the Gospel Total Church (Intro Chapter 1) - The Power of the Gospel Gospel-Driven Sanctification (Bridges) The Prodigal Sons (Keller)-(http://sermons2.redeemer. com/sermons/prodigal-sons) Gospel Conversation 1 09.05.10 NO CLASS Labor Day Weekend 09.12.10 The Vehicle of the Gospel The Church R: John 13:34-35; 17:15-23; Eph. 4:11-16; M: John 13:35 Total Church (Chapter 2) What do I mean by a Gospel-Driven Life (Fonville) Sermon: The Main Thing (Mahaney) www.sovereigngracestore.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=a1150-01-51 Gospel Conversation 2 09.19.10 The Identity of the Church Part I - Introduction to Church Identities - The Church is a Chosen Race 09.26.10 The Identity of the Church Part II - The Church is a Holy Temple - The Church is a Treasured Possession 10.03.10 The Identity of the Church Part III - The Church is a Pillar & Buttress of Truth - The Church is a Royal Priesthood 10.10.10 The Identity of the Church Part IV - The Church and the Kingdom of God 10.17.10 The Identity of the Church Part V - The Church is God s Family & Household - The Church is a Flock of God 10.24.10 The Identity of Church Part VI - The Church is the Bride of Christ 10.31.10 The Identity of the Church Part VII - The Church is the Body of Christ - Membership in the Church 11.07.10 The Patterns of Church Life Part I - Baptism - The LORD s Supper 11.14.10 The Patterns of Church Life Part II - Prayer and Fasting - Praise and Worship 11.21.10 The Patterns of Church Life Part III - The Word of God 11.28.10 The Mission of the Church Part I - The Incarnation of Jesus Christ - Incarnational Ministry of Jesus 12.05.10 The Mission of the Church Part II - The Great Commission R: Deut. 7:1-8; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:18-20 M: 1 Pet. 2:9 The Role of the Church in Salvation (Givens) Total Church (Chapter 3) Church Development 1 R: Deut. 26:18-19; Titus 2:1-15; 1 Pet. 1:22-2:12 M: Titus 2:14 Total Church (Chapter 4) The Missional Church (Keller) Gospel Conversation 2 R: Phil. 3:1-21; 2 Cor. 5:11-21 M: 2 Cor. 5:20 Church Planting and the Kingdom of God (Smith) Teaching Curriculum 1 R: Rom. 8:12-17; Gal. 3:24-29 M: Gal. 3:26-28 Total Church (Chapter 5-6) What is the Kingdom of God? (Ladd) R: 1 Cor. 11:17-34 M: 1 Cor. 11:24-26 Total Church (Chapter 7-8) R: Rom. 12:1-8; 1 Cor. 12-13 M: 1 Cor. 12:11-13 ; Church Development 2 R: Matt. 6:16-18; 9:14-17; Phil. 1:3-11; Col. 1:9-13 Total Church (Chapter 9) Gospel Conversation 3 R: Ps. 1:1-6; 19:7-14; M: 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Total Church (Chapter 10) Church Development 3 R: Eph. 5:17-20; Col. 3:15-17 M: Col. 3:16 Total Church (Chapter 11) Gospel Conversation 4 R: Phil. 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 8:8-9 M: 2 Cor. 8:9 Total Church (Chapter 12); Teaching Curriculum 2 R: Matt. 9:35-38 M: Mark 10:45 Total Church (Chapter 13 & Conclusion) Gospel Conversation 5 R: John 17:15-23; Acts 1:8; M: Matt. 28:18-20 Church Development 4 5