178 Graduate course descriptions
MS Christian Mission Master of Divinity core elective for Understanding the World is met by courses in the range MS651-89. The Master of Divinity core elective for Apostolic Ministry is met by courses in the range MS610-64. MS605 The Making of a Missionary (3) Previously MI605 A study of various aspects of the missionary calling with special focus on spiritual formation, cross-cultural living, mission/church relations, language learning, and the mission worker’s family. Appropriate for prospective missionaries and/or those responsible for leading mission teams. MS610 The Ministry of Mission and Evangelism (3) Drawing on biblical, historical, and cultural foundations, this course enables students to clarify their understanding of and strengthen their commitment to the ministry of evangelism. Contemporary models and resources help students formulate a holistic plan for personal, congregational, and world evangelization. Fulfills The United Methodist Church’s ordination requirement in evangelism. Prerequisite: IS501. MS611 World Mission of the Church (3) Provides an introduction to the global mandate of Christ to His redeemed Church. The Lord Jesus Christ has given Christians a command to preach the gospel to every person and to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:15). It is the responsibility of every Christian, not just a few select professionals, to obey this command of Christ, using their varying gifts. MS612 Christian Conversion (3) Prepares students to analyze and understand the centrality of conversion in the Christian tradition. Students are introduced to classic Christian conversion narratives and reading strategies in order to leverage the wisdom of this tradition for their own spiritual formation and ministry, especially that of evangelization. Prerequisite: IS501. MS613 Culture Learning and Language (3) Previously MB610 Teaches students generic methods of applied linguistics, which equip the cross-cultural worker with methods of acquiring a field language with efficiency. Meets with MC913.
2011-2012 Academic catalog
MS615 Church Growth Practices (3) The foundational principles and strategies of the Church Growth Movement are seen as one approach to issues in mission strategy and evangelization and as a means to inform congregational outreach and expansion. Draws from the apostolic vision and legacy of Donald McGavran. Focuses on both Western and Two-Thirds World case studies. Meets with ME915. MS617 Buddhist Peoples and Mission (3) Provides an in-depth survey of the key features of the Buddhist religion. Explores classical as well as popular expressions of Buddhism from a theological and historical perspective, as well as some of the major Western Buddhist movements. Also serves as a basic introduction to Christian-Buddhist interactions, including the extensive Christian mission effort toward Buddhists. Meets with MH917. MS618 Hindu Peoples and Mission (3) Previously MW723 Provides an in-depth survey of the key features of the Hindu religion. Explores classical as well as popular expressions of Hinduism from a theological and historical perspective, as well as some of the major dissent movements within the Hindu tradition. The course also serves as a basic introduction to Indian Christian theologizing and surveys some of the leading thinkers in Indian Christianity. The current stage of apologetics in relation to Hinduism is explored. Current strategies being used to bring Hindus to Christ are examined. Meets with MH918. MS619 Muslim Peoples and Mission (3) Previously MW720 An introductory study of the structure, beliefs, and practices of Islam. Special emphasis is placed on a study of the theology of the Qur’an. The student reads and studies the entire Qur’an along with important selections from the Hadith, Sari’a material and Sufi writings. Throughout the course there is a concern to demonstrate how Islamic thought compares and contrasts with Christian revelation and how the gospel can be most effectively communicated to members of the Islamic faith. Meets with MH919. MS620 Church Leadership for the Unchurched (3) Studies in organization leadership, especially the leadership of change, applied to the contemporary challenge of helping local churches move from tradition to mission and become effective apostolic churches. Fulfills The United Methodist Church ordination requirement in evangelism. Prerequisite: IS501. Meets with ME920.