UM Mission of Church in the World

Instructor: Youngsook Charlene Kang

Course Description:

This course explores historical, theological and practical understanding of mission with a view that the purpose of mission, as interpreted in the Methodist movement- is to energize and transform Christian congregations everywhere in the world.

Course Learning Objectives:

Students will

1. Critically examine the meaning and significance of Christian mission and develop a biblical and historical understanding of mission in the global context.
2. Consider the theology of mission as misseo Dei and develop own theology of mission.
3. Explore ways of interaction and conversation with other religious communities in our mission to bring justice and peace to humanity.
4. Explore ways of interaction and connection between thinking & doing mission globally and thinking & doing mission locally.
5. Consider “discipleship” as the engagement and transformation of our world and articulate own role of disciple-formation in their contexts of ministry.

Required Texts:

1. David J Bosch, Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission , Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1991.  (No purchase necessary: Sections of the book needed for reading will be provided in pdf).
2. David W. Scott, Crossing Boundaries: Sharing God’s Good News through Mission ,  Wesley's Foundery Books, the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, The United Methodist Church, 2019, ISBN-978-1945935473
3. Diana Eck, A New Religious America, How a Christian Country Has Now Become the World’s Most Religiously Diverse Nation , Becon Press, 2003, ISBN : 978-0807073018
4. Phil Maynard, Shift 2.0: Helping Congregations Back into the Game of Effective Ministry , Market Square Publishing, 2018, ISBN: 978-1732309227

Suggested Readings:

1. Mission Theology Statement , The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church (The text will be provided.)
2. Youngsook Charlene Kang, Developing a curriculum for global mission with a s pecial emphasis on peacemaking and interfaith dialogue , Doc tor of Ministry Thesis, Drew Theolog ical S chool , 2007

Other reading, viewing and links will be provided from week to week.

Course Requirements and Assignments:

1) Reading and Course participation :   30% for the entire course

Active presence and participation in discussion forums is required. Complete your reading and viewing and engage the class actively and critically.  Completing the reading and viewing assignments is important, however it is more important to engage the materials critically and reflectively.  I agree that critical thinking is “about being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information.” Each week when you engage in the class discussion online, I want you to think about the topic of the week missionally, theologically, biblically and communally (always consider your community of faith in your thinking).  When you post your reflection, respond to the questions (I will post a set of questions for each week) in your own words. Do not quote extensively from the text you read, instead reflect on the reading and your colleagues’ discussion and put your reflections in your own words. Give your critical and constructive feedback on your classmates posting.

2) Essay 1:  One-page paper on the Story of What God has done in my life? (single spaced, 12 point, 400-450 words) 10%

More details are found  in the course objects dated January 13, 2020 .
Due on  Monday, January 13, 2020

3) Essay 2:  Three-page paper on a subject proposed by the student from any of mission’s sub-fields we discuss (mission theology, mission history, UM mission history with Native people, mission as liberation, and etc.) (single spaced, 12 point, 1200-1400 words) 20%

Due on Monday, February 3, 2020

4) Essay 3 : Two-page paper on your engagement in the interfaith community related to Justice Ministry (e.g. immigration, AIDS work, hunger, peace and etc.)  ( single spaced, 12 point, 800-900 words)  20%

Have interfaith conversations with leaders from at least three of  your inter-religious communities regarding justice ministries and write a reflection paper on your learning.

Due on Monday, February 23, 2020

5) Essay 4/Disciple Formation Project:  Create a tool/diagram/process to introduce and implement disciple formation in your ministry context and write a reflection paper on the tool/diagram/process. (single spaced, 12 point, 1200-1400 words) 20%

Create a project that represents how you envision, interpret and practice Christian disciple formation in your particular context

Due on Thursday, March 12, 2020