Reading -- MI815 -- Summer 2005

Session 1 – Introduction / Biblical Model

Reading -- Website

Theology of Global Ministry

Response

  • The biblical imperative for global ministry comes from the terms listed in the reading.

  • Paul's usage of 'body' in 1 Cor. describes relationships which can occur between various members of the body around the world.

  • A missionary must be able to say to the people with whom he works, 'mimic me' as I live out my faith and as I do the work of ministry.

  • The church in America must learn to participate with the global church on a basis of equality in order to manifest the 'koinonia' talked about in the N.T.

Session 2  Changing the Mind of Missions

Reading -- “Changing the Mind of Missions”

Internet Articles

 

Response

  •  P. 49  it is no longer appropriate to send missionaries and even resources from a dominant center of political or economic influence to some distant and exotic place.

  •  P. 66  the American evangelical movement is deeply inflict rated by the spirit and tools of modernity.  Oblivious to its dangers, American evangelism evangelicalism continues as one of the leading global apologists for modernity through its publications and mission agencies.

  •  P. 102  churches around the world are often more characterized by institutionalization than by community what this means is that the church all too often has yielded to modernity and has become an institution made up of largely autonomous individuals govern by hierarchy, delegation of authority, formality and ministry through ever – expanding programs. But the essence of community is mutual, motivated connectedness, a concept poorly understood in a culture permeated by modernity and is preferences for autonomous individuality

  •  P. 147 ff.  Organizational Transformation – What are the strengths / weaknesses of the argument for this type of transformation?

  •  P. 167,  A very different kind of missionary is required to day – one who is willing to come in submission as an enabler, who serves by empowering others through an offering of much–needed gifts and skills that others do not possess. 

Session 3  Partnerships

Reading --   “Building Strategic Relationships”

PowerPoint Presentations

Response

  • Partnership ministries desire to enter into a spiritual, biblical community relationship.  The emphasis is on the development of opportunities for each member to minister to the other in prayer, 'one-another' ministries, and mutual encouragement.

  • Partnership ministries are operating under indigenous leadership, are self-governed by a duly constituted national body or board, and maintain the indigenous nature of the ministry.

  • Partnership ministries subscribe to a common set of foundational doctrines of Scripture.

  • Partnership ministries are committed to a mutual trust relationship and a desire to share complementary strengths and resources with one-another.

  • Partnership ministries have a passion for the development of a church planting movement model of ministry where the final criteria for evaluating the sharing of resources will be based on the establishment of ministries which are not based on a dependency model.

  • Partnerships will vary according to the development of the church in a particular location.

Session 4 – The New Gobal Mission 

Reading -- “The New Global Mission”

Response

  •  P. 49  The methods of this first community rested on four pillars: understanding of Indian languages and religion, doctrinal teaching in the form of stories rather than theological abstractions, frequent preaching from the scriptures and the witness of the missionary’s own poverty and life of prayer

  •  P. 78  Missionaries today are being driven to restudy the New Testament teaching about religiosity as well as about the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Communication technology and techniques as well as an intellectually reasonable faith are not enough. Spiritual power and disciplines such as prayer, Bible meditation and fasting are necessary for mission across the new religious frontier.

  •  P. 91  What is the role of Luke 4:18-19, P. 108 – John 17:18; 20:21. in the theology of global ministry?

  •  P. 152  “For the gospel is the root of which both evangelism and social responsibility are the fruits.  As good news of love in Christ, the gospel demands both to be preached and to be lived.  Once we have come to know it we are obliged to share it with others and to “adorn” it by good deeds.” 

Session 5 – Church Planting Movements

Reading -- “Church Planting Movements” 

Response

  • What is the core difference between planting churches and facilitating the development of a church planting movement?

  • What are the biblical requirements to be a church?

  • What is required for education / training for a pastor?

  • Does a church need to own a building?

  • How much should a church match the cultural norms of a society; music, building structure, dress, presentation style, etc.?

Session 6 - Christian Microenterprise Development

Reading -- "Christian Microenterprise Development"

Response

  • What is your position on the balance between Social Justice and Evangelism as presented in the notes?

  • Do you work in order to have to give to those in need in the global church?

  • How can we participate in setting people free from the cycle of poverty?

  • Is 'Social Action' missions?