Assignment #10

Points Possible: 100

If we had time I'd have us dig more into some more of the different evangelism approaches that have at various times and in various places been effective. We could spend an entire semester talking about various approaches to crusade evangelism that were effective in the 19th and 20th centuries but which have diminished in effectiveness over time.

Likewise, we could spend an entire semester talking about the phenomenal Alpha course, which is an attempt to build a gospel bridge to the generation that straddles the modern and postmodern societies of the West.

And then we could devote a semester or more to the evangelism and discipleship approaches developed by parachurch groups such as Youth for Christ, Young Life, YWAM, and Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as "Cru"). Then we could add the radio and television evangelists and those who are trying to figure out how to do evangelism on the Internet. And we would not want to forget the seeker church movement (e.g. Willow Creek Community Church and Saddleback Church).

The lists are long and the approaches are mildly varied. However, in this course I've tried to give you samples which emphasize underlying principles such as reading context and developing stories. Now I want us to focus briefly on what I see as probably the healthiest theological framework for evangelism and discipleship -- missional theology.

Missional theology sees God primarily as a missionary. That is, one of the primary theological threads that runs throughout scripture -- if not THE dominant idea of scripture -- is God's attempt to reach out to those who are distant and to bring about reconciliation with him and the rest of creation. That's what the incarnation, cross, and resurrection are all about. It's ALL about mission. Mission is not one aspect of what we are called to but it is the only thing we are called to -- if we are following Christ. Everything else is in someway an aspect of mission.

Furthermore, missional theology is likely to emphasize that God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- is the primary actor in mission. It's not about what we do for God -- even out of gratefulness (or guilt or shame). Rather it's all about getting on board with what God is already doing. And since he is all about mission, wherever in the world he is present (everywhere!), he is developing his mission.

Our task, then, as missionaries, evangelists, and disciplemakers is that of discernment. We are trying to determine what God is doing in any given situation and then to get on board with it. That's what constitutes the life of discipleship. It's not so much learning what we are allowed to do or not do. Instead it's about following Jesus in the mission.

Sometimes I tell people in our congregation that we don't really go on mission trips but that all of life is a mission trip. Sometimes we go to foreign places or join a special project to which God has called us but in nature those events are not any different from what we are doing day in and day out.

Here is one simple attempt to introduce missional thinking:


New York City pastor Dr Tim Keller ramps it up a notch.




And then Dr John Franke explains it to the students in a chapel session at Gordon College.


Dr Darrell Guder, of Princeton Theological Seminary, is one of the primary missional theologians. In addition to watching the video clips above I would like to give you the option of reading an article that Guder wrote in the Princeton Seminary Bulletin. OR you can read "Why I think missional theology is the future of theology, or,why I think theology must become missional or perish" by David Congdon.

Notice the pattern in my presentation of information. After my brief introduction I had you look at the simplest video explanation. Then each presentation became increasingly complex. I realize that the articles may be a little more difficult to follow. However, I still want you to try. Then, with all of this input in mind I want you to write a 500 word essay in response to the following question.

How is someone who operates out of a missional framework going to approach the tasks of evangelism and discipleship differently than other evangelicals?

Remember, I am assuming that you have watched the video clips and read the journal article. Interact with the sources and show me that you understand the concepts. However, you are free to frame the essay as creatively as you'd like. You are welcome to use personal examples. And you are also welcome to disagree with part of -- or even all of -- the missional approach. But if you do, you must clearly and coherently explain why you do so. Do all the things you need to do for an essay. Create a thesis statement and an outline -- then fill it in.

After you have completed this assignment, embed it in an email (NO attachments please) and send it to me at bboydston@piu.edu. Let me know if you have any problems meeting the deadline or if you need further explanation.