This course will be taught over 9 Mondays:
8th, 15th, 22nd September
6th*, 13th, 20th October
10th, 17th*, 24th November
*Please note 16th Oct and 17th Nov will be taught on Zoom.
Lunch is served at 12.30pm and you'd be welcome to join staff and students for lunch, followed by Prayer in the Day at 1.20pm, with teaching starting at 1.45pm and finishing at 4.30pm (with a coffee break).
Aims
· To explore the scriptural, theological and historical background to the range of Christian patterns of relating to the world in witness to Christ as a means of informing a responsible mission theology.
· To equip students with the understanding and skills necessary for critical engagement with, and leadership of, the church’s participation in the mission of God.
· To enable students to engage critically with current debates and practices in mission and evangelism in relation to culture and ecclesiology.
· To enable students to embody the attitudes, words and actions that witness to Christ in ways appropriate to his/her vocation.
Content
· Examination of biblical material relevant to the understanding and practice of Christian mission.
· Engagement with a range of significant historical and theological trends in Christian witness to society.
· An exploration of ways of articulating and understanding mission and evangelism (and their relationship) in today’s world, building on the ‘[Five] Marks of Mission’.
· Critical assessment of current theory and practice in relation to traditional and innovative approaches to ecclesiology and witness.
· A theological and ethical critique of Christian attitudes to the proclamation of the gospel in contemporary society, community relations, inter-faith dialogue, environmental concerns, issues of justice, and political engagement.
· Some practical engagement with mission practices of the church.
