THE STATESMAN PROJECT Draft Education Strategy – Overview & Summary
Education Strategy Overview The goal of the Statesman Project’s education strategy in developing its education programs is to rebrand the church in such a way that it is seen by the world to be equipped to handle major social, political and economic problems resulting from societal upheaval that continues to unfold. Two education programs will be uniquely designed to train and equip two sets of participants: An Ambassador Program (to be discussed later) for senior leaders of organizations and churches, and The Great Issues of Our Day Program for general participants.
The Great Issues of Our Day Program The program seeks to address the major social, political and economic problems by focusing on six subject themes that are considered to be great issues facing society and culture. The six themes listed in the chart below will be presented throughout three stages that are designed to lead participants in the process of developing capabilities rather than merely informing them on important current issues.
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THE STATESMAN PROJECT Draft Education Strategy – Overview & Summary Theme 1: Discipling the Nations Stage 1: Information The meaning of discipleship Institutions of discipleship - individual, family, church, business and civil government Characteristics of a discipled nation A Biblical/Kingdom worldview of nations Stage 2: Implication How self-government is central to effective reformation Difference between discipling individuals and discipling nations and the need for both Difference between the Dominion Mandate and the Great Commission and the need for both. Stage 3: Implementation The process of discipleship Jurisdictional authority and the limits, checks and balances to authority in each jurisdiction Theme 2: Economics Stage 1: Information The nature of economics beginning in the Home The roots of the current economic crisis Understanding economic theory: Managing scarcity or abundance? Stage 2: Implication Long term consequences of the current economic crisis Understanding how/why we became a debt driven economy and the consequences What economic solutions the world is offering and the long-term effects of implementing such plans Stage 3: Implementation The biblical economic freedom formula Wise choices of productivity during the current crisis Theme 3: Politics Stage 1: Information Ideological distinctions between the Left and Right political ideology Biblical purpose of civil government The nature of biblical justice Stage 2: Implication Increasing self-government beginning with the individual, family and local community How to influence politics from the inside, alongside and outside Understanding how the next generation Christians think about changing social norms and behaviors Stage 3: Implementation Transcending the left right deadlock: What’s best for the community? The third way of self-government – avoiding the Left-Right political game
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THE STATESMAN PROJECT Draft Education Strategy – Overview & Summary Theme 4: Power Stage 1: Information The nature and definition of power and force The biblical flow of power and force Understanding the instruments of power: military, economic, diplomatic, cultural Stage 2: Implication The danger of centralized power in Church and State The Shifting power and changes in history Future of global power from West to East America’s role and responsibility during and after the economic and political crisis Stage 3: Implementation Preparing for the shift in power from top to bottom How to engage a world that’s becoming more local and global Theme 5: Choices Stage 1: Information The biblical source of choice and the law of sowing and reaping Biblical priorities for choice (finding the will of God) Liberty under law: the freedom and limits of choice Stage 2: Implication The freedom of choice and the responsibility of obligation Contrast how/why people make choices biblically/selfishly Stage 3: Implementation Developing biblical convictions in a postmodern age Strategic choices Theme 6: Ecclesia Stage 1: Information The definition of the Ecclesia of God What it means to be Salt and Light Service: the power of influence and example Stage 2: Implication The methodology of the church in reforming culture - Changing the strategy from the old “Christian right” What the church will need to look like in a post-economic and political crisis Stage 3: Implementation Training a congregation to love and uniquely service their communities Implementing Ecclesia prayer strategies
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THE STATESMAN PROJECT Draft Education Strategy – Overview & Summary Pre-Course Introductory Presentations To introduce the key ideas for the The Great Issues of Our Day program, three 20 minute video presentations will be produced to address the social, political and economic problems resulting from societal upheaval that continues to unfold. The presentations will be designed to attract the attention of like-minded and concerned citizens. Each of the video will specifically address current questions and concerns:
What are the political, social, and economic problems as the culture sees them? How have various created or contributed to these political, social, and economic problems? How must a change of worldview be developed and alternative solutions implemented?
Online Collaborative Courses Each stage: Information, Implication, and Implementation, will be available as a stand-alone online course, with each of the six subject themes having its own page with resources and activities for the students to engage. This website will be accessible from the main Statesman Project website, but will direct students to a secure log-in site dependent upon the stage they are in. These course sites will enable students to access special features for each subject theme:
PDF Lecture notes Embedded video of lectures and other recommended videos MP3 Lecture audio files for download onto mobile devices PDF Articles, reports, Opinion-Editorials, etc., for recommended reading Assignments: Instructions for assignments can be posted and students can upload finished papers for review Online discussion forums: Weekly forums for all students around the nation to discuss lecture topic or issues
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