Mission and Evangelism Department Course Descriptions

Master's Level

ME 5000 (523)      Foundations of Christian Mission
Survey of the theology, history, culture, politics, and methods of the Christian mission, with special emphasis on recent developments, crucial issues, and future trends, ending with a careful study of missions in the local church. Offered fall and spring. Two hours.

ME 5001 (524)      Foundations of Evangelism
This course will provide the graduate student with the content and the context for developing a biblical and theological understanding of evangelism. Through lecture, open discussion, small group interaction, and field experience, the student will develop convictions, skills, and confidence in communicating the gospel while learning how to reproduce these in a local setting, whether it be church, a university or high school campus, or in a multicultural context. Additionally, there will be a strong emphasis on encouraging the student to develop a biblical philosophy of ministry that reflects a balance of both the theoretical and practical perspectives of evangelism. Offered fall and spring. Two hours.

ME 5050 (530)     Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
The course surveys the history, theology, and strategy of the global advance of the gospel. Specific instances of the growth of the Christian movement in selected areas of the world are examined. Perspectives is offered as an occasional course at various locations throughout the year. Contact the Extension Office for details. Three hours.

ME 5140 (612)      Mission of the Urban Church
A study of the nature and methods of the Christian mission as they apply to the development and implementation of a mission strategy for the urban church, as well as the training of individuals for outreach in the urban community. Three hours.

ME 5150 (769)      Introduction to Church Planting in North America
Cross-list as PT. Three hours.

ME 5175 (617)      Evangelistic Bible Study: Mark
This course anticipates the desire of many Christians who want to share Christ with friends or neighbors in an informal setting. Whether the student sees the prospect of planting a church, holding a Bible discussion in a university resident facility, or simply getting friends and acquaintances together to focus on contemporary issues, this course will fill those expectations. Using the inductive method of investigating the biblical text, the student will be enriched with the truth and relevance of Gospel narratives, as well as experience the joy of discovering the freshness of the gospel in the context of group interaction. Credit students only, no auditors. Cross-list as NT. Three hours.

ME 5751 (540)      Encountering Mormon Culture
Generally a spring break onsite experience in Provo, Utah, enabling intensive engagement with Mormon thought and culture. The course combines readings on Mormonism, visits to the Temple in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young University, and other sites, and instruction from Christian leaders involved in ministry among Mormons. The course seeks to understand Mormon worldview and doctrinal teachings and challenges for Christian ministry among Mormons. Three hours.

ME 6000 (675)      Current Studies in Mission and Evangelism
Topics selected deal with significant issues related to mission and/or evangelism. One to three hours.

ME 6155 (771)      Advanced Church Planting
Cross-list as PT. Two hours.

ME 6240 (644)      The Intercultural Missionary
Explores decisions and developmental tasks involved in preparing for a missions career, adjusting to another culture, learning a language, rearing a family overseas, managing conflict, and handling intercultural stress. The spiritual formation of the missionary is emphasized. Two hours.

ME 6410 (751)      History of Missions in the Modern World
A study of the expansion of Christianity from Pentecost to the present. Particular attention is given to an examination of the modern Protestant mission movement. Three hours.

ME 6610 (641)      Anthropology for Ministry
Application of anthropological and sociological insights for ministry in diverse cultural settings, with special attention to fundamentals of culture communication and contextualization. The course will focus anthropological understanding particularly on congregational contexts and ministry. Two hours.

ME 6760 (620)      Theology of Mission and Evangelism
The many Old and New Testament texts that provide theological foundations for the global mission of the church are examined. Basic issues that confront the missionary will be investigated, as well as the more complex and contemporary issues. The course provides the student with various perspectives and strategies for dealing with the Trinity, the Great Commission, the call and motivation for ministry, and the problems of dialogue, syncretism, universalism, and ecumenism. Cross-list as ST. Three hours.

ME 6963 (720)      Principles of Discipleship
A practicum with attention given to the way Christian disciples are developed, with practical guidelines for implementing discipleship, both as a personal lifestyle and within the context of the local church. Prerequisite: must have completed at least six semester hours. Cross-list as EM. Three hours.

ME 6968 (761)      Discipleship Evangelism
“Putting it all together” would appropriately describe the way in which this course attempts to outline a contemporary theology of discipleship, contextualized in the local church, and lived out in the real world, where unbelievers are given opportunity to commit their lives unreservedly to Jesus Christ. The class is composed of students invited by the instructor and committed to disciple their fellow seminarians in leading others to Christ. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Three hours.

ME 7145 (752)      Leadership in the Urban Church
A visionary and practical approach to ministering in America’s cities. The emphasis in the course is not so much on the internal leadership structure of the local urban church as it is on leadership in the church that is responsive to its urban context. Three hours.

ME 7260 Evangelistic Preaching
Cross-list as HM. Two hours.

ME 7300 (732)      World Religions
Historical survey of the origin and growth of the major world religions, beliefs, practices, and worldviews of the major traditions will be examined, with special attention given to comparison and contrast with Christian beliefs and practices. Cross-list as CC, PR. Three hours.

ME 7310 (734)      Evangelical Missions in Eastern Orthodox Lands
Students will be introduced to the theological identity of the Orthodox Church, which will help to prepare them for evangelical missions in such Eastern Orthodox lands as Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Three hours.

ME 7320 (731)      Contemporary Roman Catholicism
Students who enroll in this course will be exposed to the significant literature and practice of the modern Catholic Church as it is expressed through official documents and conciliar statements. Contemporary issues and movements within the church and related to the church will be discussed and examined in the light of history and Scripture. Three hours.

ME 7450 (748)      Christianity in the Non-Western World Since 1700
A broad overview of the significant shift of the center of Christianity from the West to Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The social, cultural, and political context of Western missions, sending nations, and the receiving nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America will be examined. Consideration will be given to the rise and fall of Western imperialism, the world wars, the interaction between the missionaries and the indigenous churches, nationalism in newly independent nations, the emergence of independent and indigenous church movements, the rise of Pentecostalism. Cross-list as CH. Three hours.

ME 7464 (704)      Internship Preparation
A pre-internship orientation course to prepare students for Mission/Evangelism Internship (ME 7465 or 7466) to be taken the semester before internship. Offered spring. Credit/No Credit. One hour.

ME 7465 (702)      Mission/Evangelism Internship (Part-time)
Designed for students completing the internship during two semesters, while maintaining a lighter class load. Students are exposed to aspects of mission/evangelism in a church, mission, or parachurch setting related to their vocational goals and under the supervision of an on-campus supervisor and the oversight of a seasoned mentor. Includes one mandatory class meeting during the first week of each semester. Considered half-time student status. Prerequisites: Consent of the ME Department internship supervisor, ME 5000, ME 5001, ME 7464, PT 5095, and one additional field education. May be repeated. Credit/No Credit. Two hours.

ME 7466 (705)      Mission/Evangelism Internship (Full-time)
The preferred internship to give the student immersion in full-time ministry experience averaging at least thirty hours per week. Students are exposed to aspects of mission/evangelism in a church, mission, or parachurch setting related to their vocational goals and under the supervision of an on-campus supervisor and the oversight of a seasoned mentor. Includes one mandatory class meeting during the first week of each semester. Considered full-time student status. Prerequisites: Consent of the ME Department internship supervisor, ME 5000, ME 5001, ME 7464, PT 5095, and one additional field education. Credit/No Credit. Two hours.

ME 7467 (706)      Internship Debriefing
A post-internship debriefing to follow the Mission/Evangelism Internship (ME 7465 or 7466). Credit/No Credit. Prerequisite: ME 7465 or 7466. Offered fall. One hour.

Advanced Master’s/Doctoral Courses

ME 7710 (801)      Contextualization
A study of contextualization from theoretical and practical perspectives, including an examination of the meanings and methods of contextualization as proposed in recent literature, an analysis of the proposals of prominent contextualizers, and the development of limited contextualized materials for selected target cultures. Cross-list as CC. Three hours.

ME 7800 (753)      Area Studies Seminar
Studies in the cultural and religious backgrounds, historical development, and present situation in a specific area of the world as these relate to the preaching of the gospel and the development of the church. Special area strengths in the department include East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. May be repeated for credit as the areas under consideration change. Offered on demand. One to three hours.

ME 8000 (845)      Seminar: Current Issues in Mission and Evangelism
Topics chosen deal with significant issues in mission and/or evangelism. Opportunity provided for seminar discussion and for the presentation of advanced research papers. Two to three hours.

ME 8210 (842)      Intercultural Communications
This course focuses on the theory and practice of interpersonal communication across cultural lines. Specifically designed for those involved in intercultural ministry, the course focuses attention on language and culture, culture shock, ethnocentrism, paternalism, nonverbal communication, contextualization, and dynamics of change. The focus will, of course, be on the communication of the gospel itself interculturally. Three hours.

ME 8215 (811)      Teaching the Bible in Intercultural Settings
The course is designed to integrate cultural philosophies of education with ethno-pedagogy for the task of teaching the Bible in another culture. An emphasis will be placed on the use of case studies and will move from description and analysis to the question of “How should we teach the Bible in other cultures?” The course will be useful for students who desire to teach the Bible in any cultural setting. Cross-list as EM. Three hours.

ME 8230 (813)      Global Church Planting 
An examination of the theological foundations, models, methods, and strategies of planting indigenous churches in a wide range of cultural contexts. Factors for establishing and promoting healthy church planting movements are also considered. Special attention is given to cultural factors, the role of the missionary, evangelism, development, multiplication and avoidance of dependency. Offered annually. Three hours.

ME 8235 (726)       Advancing Indigenous Churches
A comprehensive survey of the theological and sociological factors that promote the growth, maturity, and reproduction of local congregations and indigenous movements. Special emphasis is placed on cross-cultural church ministry and emerging churches. Approaches to church growth theory and practice, developmental models, local leadership, church-mission relations, and contextualization are examined and evaluated. Cross-list as PT. Three hours.

ME 8310 (830)      Religious Pluralism and Mission
An examination of the current debate over Christianity and other religions and an evaluation of the issues from an evangelical perspective. Theological, philosophical, and missiological implications of the debate will be explored. Three hours.

ME 8312 (849)      Christian Encounter with World Religions
An examination of some historical, theological, and intercultural issues in the Christian encounter with other major religions. Historical approaches by Christian missionaries to Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism will be examined, with special emphasis on implications for such encounters today. Three hours.

ME 8315 (837)      Christian Encounter with Islam
A study of Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the history, culture, and theology of Islam, together with modern trends and its confrontation with Christianity in order to develop appropriate Christian ministries in Muslim contexts. Offered on demand. Two or three hours.

ME 8370 (833)      Christian Encounter with African Religions
This course provides descriptions and analyses of African religions in order to ascertain areas of continuity and discontinuity between these religions and the Christian message. Theoretical issues related to the study of African Religions will be reviewed. The major topics of study are the following: the structure of African religions; the nature of theism; and ideas concerning human destiny taught in these religions. Christian approaches of African religionists will be examined. Three hours.

ME 8380 (832)      Religion in the Modern World
The past three centuries have produced far-reaching social and intellectual transformation, initially in the West and now increasingly worldwide, which have significantly affected traditional religions and also produced an array of new religious movements and alternative spiritualities. Modernization, secularization, globalization, colonialism, and nationalism, as well as various counter-modernizing movements, all have had an impact upon current religious realities. Theoretical issues in the relevant literature, as well as specific application to particular Islamic, Hindu, or Buddhist contexts, will be considered. Implications of these patterns for Christian ministry and mission will be explored. Three hours.

ME 8385 (834)      Christian Encounter with Popular Religions
A study of the religious beliefs and rituals of common folk, particularly those related to spirits, ancestors, magic, divination, witchcraft, shamanism, and other phenomena. Attention is given to developing a biblical response to these beliefs in the context of missions. Three hours.

ME 8455 (808)      History of Christianity in China
A broad overview of the history of Christianity in China and a survey of the current situation. After considering the various mission efforts in China, the course will focus on the historical development of the Chinese churches and several key Chinese church leaders. The course will then explore historical, cultural, political, ecclesiastical, and theological issues while considering their impact on today’s church. Cross-list as CH. Three hours.

ME 8624 (952)      Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution
Focuses on interpersonal and small-group conflicts that are interethnic or intercultural. Significant attention is given to how Westerners handle conflict compared to peoples in the two-thirds World and how Scripture speaks to both contexts. Offered alternate years. Three hours.

ME 8720 (831)      Sin, Guilt, Suffering and Death
A course designed to give the student an understanding of human cultural and psychological realities related to sin, shame, guilt, conscience, suffering, sickness, and death. The goal is to integrate cultural and psychological understandings with biblical and theological ones, and to use these understandings to communicate the gospel in a manner that is intelligible, subjectively relevant, and meaningful to people of specific cultures. Three hours.

ME 8760 (733)      Spiritual Warfare
An examination of the spiritual warfare that servants of God face in Christian ministry. Attention is given to studies in biblical, historical, and contemporary perspectives of spiritual conflict. Three hours.

ME 8815 (847)      Ethnicity: Modes of Inquiry and Analysis
Participants in this seminar will employ anthropological and intercultural communication theories and analytical modes as they develop culture-specific taxonomies of ethnic variables, recognize factors that may facilitate communication or trigger conflict, and explore interfaces among theology, ethnicity, and ministry. Three hours.

ME 8875 (829)      Church, Mission, and Community Development
Seminar participants are introduced to the community development literature and critically examine how it relates to the church’s responsibility to engage in a mission to the poor that is distinctly holistic—an approach based on Christ’s ministry. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of nonformal education in facilitating development. Offered alternate years. Three hours.

Updated to 2008-09 Catalog