NORTH GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY

Graduate School of Christian Ministry

DM 7000 – Evangelism and Missions

William E. Cashion, D.Min in Missiology

Professor of Missions and Evangelism

  1. Course Description:

A study of the theoretical and foundational issues of evangelism and missions with specific focus on their relevance to the practice of these disciplines. Topics defined and examined include current, critical issues facing the church. Also an advanced study of the contextual examination of the biblical and theological basis and nature of evangelism and missions. Attention will be given to the biblical critique of contemporary methodologies. (4 hours)

  1. Co-requisite Course:

This course is a co-requisite with DM 7001 – Applied Ministry Experience in Evangelism and Missions (2 hours)

  1. Course Objectives:

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Describe biblical, theological, and practical aspects related to the practice and fulfillment of the Great Commission in the 21st century.
  2. Identify and describe current theological and practical issues and trends in evangelism and missions.
  3. Discuss contextualization as a critical aspect of evangelism and missions.
  4. Evaluate contemporary methodologies in evangelism and missions from a biblical perspective.
  5. Demonstrate effective communication skills required in ministry today.
  1. Course Texts:

Required Texts:All students must read the required books.

  • Pocock, Michael, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell. The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005, pp. 432
  • Reid, Alvin. Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009, pp. 460

Additional Reading: Students should complete a total of 2,000 pages of reading, including the two required texts, by the beginning of the seminar. This total should include at least one text from each of the following categories.

Read at Least One of the Following:

  • Carson, D.A., Ed. Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. pp. 416
  • Dawson, Scott, Ed. The Complete Evangelism Guidebook. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006. pp. 400
  • Dickson, John. The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. Pp. 256
  • Drummond, Lewis A. Reaching Generation Next: Effective Evangelism in Today's Culture. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006. Pp. 197
  • Gale, Stanley D. Warfare Witness: Contending with Spiritual Opposition in Everyday Evangelism. Rosshire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2005. Pp. 224.
  • MacArthur, John. MacArthur Pastor's Library - Evangelism: How to Share the Gospel Faithfully. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011. Pp. 384
  • Mittleberg, Mark. Becoming a Contagious Church: Increasing Your Church’s Evangelistic Temperature. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. Pp. 224
  • Payne, J.D. Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today's Questions. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2011. Pp. 188
  • Wells, David F. The Courage To Be Protestant. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Pp. 240

Read at Least One of the Following:

  • Allen, Roland. Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours; A Study of the Church in the Four Provinces. Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books, 2011. Pp. 260
  • Drane, John. After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry, and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008, pp. 192
  • Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006. Pp. 216
  • Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission: The Gospel From Everywhere to Everyone. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2003. Pp. 192
  • Hesselgrave, David J. and Ed Stetzer. MissionShift: Global Mission Issues in the Third Millennium. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010. Pp. 320
  • Hesselgrave, David J. Paradigms in Conflict: Ten Questions in Christian Missions Today. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2005. Pp. 384.
  • Hiebert, Paul G. The Gospel in Human Contexts: Anthropological Explorations for Contemporary Missions. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009. Pp. 226
  • Horton, Michael. The Gospel Commission: Recovering God's Strategy for Making Disciples. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011. Pp. 320
  • Ott, Craig and Harold Netland, eds. Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. Pp. 384
  • Sills, David. Reaching and Teaching: A Call to Great Commission Obedience. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2010. Pp. 256

Read at Least One of the Following:

  • Ashford, Bruce Riley. Theology and Practice of Mission: God, the Church, and the Nations. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2011. Pp. 352
  • Coleman, Doug. A Theological Analysis of the Insider Movement Paradigm from Four Perspectives: Theology of Religions, Revelation, Soteriology and Ecclesiology. Pasadena: William Carey International University Press, 2011. Pp. 360
  • Drummond, Lewis. The Word of the Cross: A Contemporary Theology of Evangelism. Nashville: Broadman, 2000. Pp. 388
  • Root, Jerry, Stan Guthrie and Lyle Dorsett. The Sacrament of Evangelism. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2011. Pp. 208
  • Tennent, Timothy C. Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church is Influencing the Way We Think and Discuss Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007, pp. 304
  • Thiessen, Elmer. The Ethics of Evangelism. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2011. Pp. 288
  • Christopher, J.H. Wright. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan / 2010. Pp. 304
  1. Course Requirements:

Pre-seminar Assignments:

  1. In Evangelism Handbook, Alvin Reid discusses central doctrines and issues that must be included in a theology of evangelism (131-147). Read the Book of Acts thoroughly and in a five page paper develop a theology of evangelism from it that gives attention to the doctrines and issues discussed by Reid. Be sure to cite scripture references from Acts to support each doctrine and/or issue included.
  1. Select one of the books that are included on the additional reading list and write a five-page critical review following guidelinesto be given later. Contact Dr. Cashion () with your choice of a book as only one student may review a book. East student will present a 10-minute report on their book.
  1. Prepare a 15 page paper on one of the topics listed below. Formatting guidelines will be given later. Each student should come prepared to make a 20-minute presentation including a one-page handout outlining the main ideas of the presentation. Contact Dr. Cashion () to give himyour top two choices. He will notify you which topic has been assigned to you.
  • Five Contemporary Trends in Global Missions
  • A Biblical Analysis of the Insider Movement
  • Overview of the Methodology of Effective Evangelistic Churches
  • Globalization and Implications for Evangelism/Missions
  • An Evaluation of the Short-term Mission Movement at Home and Abroad
  • Evangelism and Missions in a Post-Modern World
  • Pluralism and Its Impact on Evangelism and Missions
  • The Impact of Evangelism on Community Transformation
  • An Analysis of Popular Personal Evangelism Training Programs
  • The Challenge of Multiculturalism to Evangelism
  • The Ethics of Evangelism
  • Theology of Evangelism
  • A Close Look at Conversion
  • The Urgency of the Gospel–What About Those Who Have Never Heard?
  • Contextualization – How Important is it to 21st Century Missions and Evangelism?
  • A Review of Spiritual Warfare Strategies in Missions and Evangelism
  • Evangelism in a World of Expanding Technology
  • Biblical Principles for Christian Witness in a Pagan Society
  • The Top Priority of the Church – Worship or Evangelism?
  • Evangelism in the Book of Acts
  • Women in Mission
  • Sports Evangelism as a Domestic and International Missions Strategy
  • Ministry/Evangelism: Meeting Needs and Sharing Christ
  • An Analysis of the Missional Church Movement
  • Effective Evangelism to Cult Members
  • Biblical Models of Evangelism
  1. Reflection Paper: Write a five page reflection paper on a missionary from the list below. At least three biographical sources should be consulted and noted. Contact Dr. Cashion with your choice of missionary as each student will review different ones. The paper should address the following questions:
  • What was the primary contribution to missions made by the person studied?
  • What insights have I gained from my research that can be helpful in today's expansion of the Gospel throughout the world?
  • What lessons can I draw from my research that can impact my own life now and in the future?

Missionaries: Gladys Aylward,William Booth,David Brainerd, William Carey, Amy Carmichael, C.L. Culpepper, Alexander Duff, Jim Elliot, Jonathan Goforth, E. Stanley Jones, Adnoniram Judson, David Livingston, Henry Martyn, Robert Moffat, Lottie Moon, George Mueller, John Paton, Albert Schweitzer,Sadhu Sundar Singh, Mary Slessor, C.T. Studd, Hudson Taylor, William Cameron Townsend,John Wesley

In-class Assignments:

Be prepared to participate in-class discussion and be ready to make your presentation following the schedule provided in “Course Content.”

  1. Grading

Points

Theology of Evangelism Paper200

Book Review and Presentation200

Research Paper and Presentation400

Reflection Paper100

Final Exam100

Total Points1000

Grade Scale

Grading Scale for this Course:

91 to 100A

81 to 90B

71 to 80C

61to 70D

60 or BelowF

V.Classroom Etiquette

Cell phones, smart phones, and other email devices should be turned off during class (not on vibrate). Students are asked not to take calls during class or leave class to take a call. Calls should be returned only during breaks. It disrupts class when students leave to take messages and is disrespectful to other members and the instructor.

When wireless internet access is available, students should not use their computers to surf the internet or check email during class. This can be highly distracting to the class process. Internet searches should only be conducted as part of the class discussion or process.

Business casual is the appropriate dress for class.