GC 515DI – 57 (GC515DI57201313)
Fall 2012 - Syllabus -Trans-Regional Course
508-528-5862 (Office)
Sept.24th - Dec. 7th
Bethel Seminary
Rev. John C. Ames
j-ames@bethel.edu
EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the methods and principles of evangelism, leadership development,
church growth, and church renewal for churches in the American Northeast. Topics include
explaining the gospel in an accurate, culturally sensitive manner, using tools to diagnose a
congregation’s growth potential and barriers; and identification of significant cultural factors in
the people groups of the Northeastern United States that influence their receptivity to the gospel.
Includes a Guided Learning Experience (Collaborative Learning Contract outside of Seminary of
the East)
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Thinking: Students will understand…
1.
Biblical definitions and terminology for evangelism, discipleship and church growth
2.
Leadership as modeled in the Life of Jesus and the Apostles
3.
The Role Culture plays in bearing fruit that remains
4.
The barriers in their region of the United States to overcome in the
growth of the Church
5.
The Role and Importance of Prayer
Being: Students will develop…
1.
Convictions in the areas of ‘sharing the faith’
2.
Convictions of personal involvement in church growth through service and the use of
their gifts
3.
A passion to see Christ’s kingdom come on earth
4.
Convictions in leadership training
Doing: Students will communicate and present:
1.
Their own personal faith journey
2.
Biblical methods for assimilation and spiritual growth
3.
A proper understanding of ‘presenting the gospel’
4.
5 common objections in culture to the Gospel and how to confront them.
3. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
Required Textbooks to be Read
Dodson, Jonathan K. Gospel Centered Discipleship: Crossway, 2012 (ISBN 978-1-43353021-0) 156 Pages
Hawkins, Greg L. MOVE - What 1,000 Churches Reveal About Spiritual Growth:
Zondervan; Willow Creek Association, 2011; (ISBN 978-0-310-32525-3) 286 Pages
Metzger, Will. Tell the Truth; InterVarsity Press: 2002; (ISBN 0-8308-2322-0) 259 Pages
Smith, Gordon T. Transforming Conversion: Baker Academic, 2010; (ISBN 978-0-80103247-9) 203 Pages
Hollinghurst, Steve; Mission Shaped Evangelism; Canterbury Press, 2010 (ISBN 978-185311-842-5) 255 Pages
TOTAL OF 1159 PAGES…
2.
Recommended and Suggested Reading
Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. Baker, 1994. ISBN: 0-800-786246
Hirsch, Alan. The Forgotten Ways: Brazos Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58743-164-5
Hybells, Bill. The Volunteer Revolution. Grand Rapids. Zondervan, 2004
25238-5
ISBN: 0-310-
Kinnaman, David and Gabe Lyons. Unchristian. Grand Rapids. Baker Books, 2007 ISBN:
978-0-08010-1300-3
McNeil, Reggie. The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church; San Francisco.
Jossey-Bass, 2003. ISBN:0-7879-6568-5
Mittleberg, Mark. The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask. Tyndale, 2010 ISBN
978-1-4143-1591-1
3.
ASSIGNMENTS
a. Attendance: Expected for all online discussion and active participation in Moodle.
I want to be able to see that you are active in discussions with your peers. This
does not mean that you must respond to all postings.
b. All readings are to be completed on time according to class schedule.
c. “Your Witness” – Spiritual Journey Posting to Moodle in the first week. This will
allow others to get to know you in class and help you put into words your story.
d. A short reaction paper to Gospel-Centered Discipleship - Agree or Disagree - to
be posted on Moodle.
e. Learn a gospel presentation and role play with another student or friend. Role
plays are not ‘real’ we all understand, but they are helpful. Post a one page write
up on Moodle of your experience and the challenges you faced.
1. Identify the presentation (Roman Road, Steps to Peace with God…)
2. Explain the situation of the role play
3. Explain how you felt in the sharing experience
4. What was it like to close the presentation?
5. What questions seemed to be easy/difficult to deal with?
f. Two book review assignments are required according to the dates specified on the
class schedule (1500 words). Thoughtful reflection is expected and not just a
summary of the content. I’m looking to hear from you “what you learned” from
your reading time and what you may ‘agree or disagree’ with. This should include
footnoted citations from the books. These will be turned into the professor
electronically. These will not to be posted in the Moodle program.
g. Reading Assignment Questions: Each student will respond to 2 professor
discussion questions posted on Moodle (PDQ’s) from two required book readings
(400 Words each). The class will be divided into two discussion groups. Students
will also be required to respond to one other student’s posting of each reading
assignment question within the discussion group on Moodle. This will mean a
total of four postings by each student. (One response to each of the two professor
questions; One response to each of the two student postings of the two questions)
h. Term Paper of not more than 8 pages (excluding bibliography and cover page double spaced) on “How the Christian Church Grows” Footnotes are expected.
This should include:
i. A biblical Foundation of Evangelism, Discipleship and Church Growth
a. Must include OT and NT references
ii. The Relationship between ‘conversion growth, biological growth and
transfer growth’. The Value of Each.
iii. The Role of Volunteers in Church Growth
iv. Leadership Development and Gifts
Following this format is required. Adding beyond this and developing other topics
is fine but the above topics MUST be included.
i. Guided Learning Experience
i. Each Student will submit a ‘GLE’ report at the end of the course. Those
outside of Seminary of the East will submit a similar ‘CLC’ report;
(Collaborative Learning Contract). This is a ‘hands-on’ assignment which
requires experiencing a learning project during the course and an
evaluative write-up afterward. Seminary of the East students, please check
your manuals on GLE requirements. Other students can refer to the posted
guidelines in the Moodle program for the course on CLC’s. You will find
some suggestions at the end of the syllabus for this project. Contracts are
to be submitted by the second week for approval.
4.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Course schedule is below with suggested preparation outline and assignment
deadlines. Please note: You have your spiritual journey paper due BY THE END
OF WEEK ONE. EACH ASSIGNMENT IS DUE BY THE END OF THE
WEEK (SUNDAY NIGHT)
Sessions
Suggested Preparation
Assignment DUE______
Week One
9/24-9/30
Read Dodson
Your Witness – Posting
Choose GLE/CLC project
Post on Moodle – Your Witness
Spiritual Journey
Week Two
10/1-10/7
Meet with Mentor or
Advisor; Write Contract
Finish Dodson
Submit GLE Contract
Week Three
10/8-10/14
Read Tell the Truth
Post - one page reaction
to Gospel Centered Discipleship
Week Four
10/15-10/21
Finish Metzger
Write Review
Submit - Tell the Truth
Book Review
Week Five
10/22-10/28
Gospel Role Play
Post – Evaluation of Role
Play
Week Six
10/29-11/4
Reading and Research Week
GLE/CLC
Start Reading Move
No Assignments Due
Week Seven
11/5-11/11
Finish Reading Move
Write Review
Submit MOVE
Book Review
Week Eight
11/12-11/18
Read Transforming
Conversion
Post PDQ #1
Week Nine
11/19-11/25
Read Mission Shaped
Evangelism
Post PDQ #2
Week Ten
11/26-12/2
Work on GLE and
Term Paper
Post Student Responses
to PDQ #1,#2
Week Eleven
12/3-12/7
5.
Finalize Paper
Write GLE/CLC
Integrative Report
Submit GLE and
Term Paper
CONTACT TIME WITH PROFESSOR
This is a fully distant learning course online of 40 hours. It is expected that the reading
time, online supervised discussions, Moodle responses and the preparation and execution
of papers along with the GLE/CLC assignments will be equivalent to the 40 hours.
Hence, classroom time will be replaced by your work online and offline. The professor
will have contact time with students during the online discussions and online seminar
times. He can be reached through the office number at the beginning of the syllabus or
through EMAIL correspondence.
PowerPoint presentations and notes by the professor on the content for weekly sessions
will be available for download in preparation for the term paper.
6. GRADING
Letter grades will be given at the end of the course based on levels of performance and criteria
established for each assignment.
A= Outstanding work submitted and clear demonstration of use of resources in assignments
displaying thorough knowledge of material covered. Active participation in class and consistent
evidence is shown of creative and original thinking.
B= High Quality work submitted and good demonstration of use of resources in assignments
with a display of above average knowledge of material covered. Participation in class is shown
with respect of other students.
C= Average and satisfactory work submitted with limited use of resources in assignments
displayed. Some knowledge of material is reflected in assignments. Sporadic participation in
class is shown and respectful interaction is displayed.
D= Poor work submitted with little evidence of ability to analyze and synthesize class material.
Inconsistent class attendance and very little effort shown for improvement.
F= Inadequate work submitted with insufficient evidence of knowledge of course material. Poor
participation in class and a failure to complete class and course assignments. No effort made to
improve and sporadic attendance in class.
Please note that a grade of “C” represents satisfactory performance, and that students are
required to hold a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher (C average) to graduate with a
degree from Bethel.
Final Grade calculations for the course will be as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
‘Your Witness’ Assignment
Reaction Paper to Gospel Centered Discipleship
Gospel Presentation Role Play
Two book review papers (1500 words)
Moodle postings to Professor Discussion Questions (PDQ’s)
Term paper ‘How the Christian Church Grows’
GLE/CLC Contract and Integrative Report
(5% of grade)
(5% of grade)
(5% of grade)
(20% of grade)
(20% of grade)
(25% of grade)
(20% of grade)
7. INCOMPLETE POLICY:
There will be no extensions for work in this class except for extenuating circumstances,
family emergencies, or medical reasons. In such cases a “Course Work Petition” form must be
completed by the student, signed by the Course Professor, and returned to the Center Director
prior to the conclusion of the last day of class. The final approval for petitions is granted by the
Academic Programs Assessment and Accreditation Committee. (see the “Incomplete Policy” in
The Student Handbook for further details).
8. ACADEMIC COURSE POLICIES:
Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course
Policies document found on the Registrar's website at:
https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any
academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
9. INTEGRATIVE PORTFOLIO:
This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to
review and reference in future integrative coursework.
10. COURSE EVALUATIONS: Student course assessments are an important part of course
development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage
you to provide that input, completing the course evaluation at the end of this course is included
as a component of class participation. While your responses are anonymous, failure to submit an
electronic evaluation will reduce your course grade by 2%. For any questions regarding the
course evaluation process, please go to https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.
11. DISABILITIES:
Any student, who because of a disability may require some special arrangements to meet course
requirements, should contact the instructor or the Access Coordinator for the Bethel Office of
Disability Services as soon as possible to discuss reasonable accommodations. Please see the
Student Handbook.
12. GUIDED LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Learning Outcome: In consultation with the course Professor and mentors, create a guided
learning experience that develops new skills, enhances your current skills and gifts in ministry,
and provides a concrete learning vehicle for the immediate and practical application of the course
material to your ministry context.
Learning Contract: In consultation with the Course Professor and your mentors, you are
required to design a ministry skills learning contract. This contract will develop new skills in the
areas of corporate evangelism and/or Church Growth, enhance current skills, and apply the
course concepts in a specific and growth producing manner. The learning contract must relate to
the course and to the integration and application of the course material to your ministry context.
You are expected to cover the required components in your learning contract (scriptural,
cognitive, experiential, interactive and reflective) and develop graduate level learning tasks that
satisfy each of the components. Your guided learning experience will be evaluated and graded
according to the satisfactory fulfillment of the tasks you contract to do, demonstrated learning, its
evaluation by your mentors and the Course Professor, and the timely completion and submission
of your contract (Second or third week sent electronically or by hard copy) and the completed
Integrative Learning Report (due the last day of class).
Guided Learning Experience and Contract (GLE) – Collaborative Learning Experience and
Contract (CLC) Suggestions:
1. Do a survey or questionnaire of a certain populous asking what are their major objections
(5-10) to Christianity and/or Christians. Compile the data and formulate clear biblical
responses to how you might dialogue with someone about these objections.
2. Come up with a list of characteristics of your region of the United States that would set
you apart from other regions culturally. Then seek to develop a strategy that would
bridge build and connect with your region for a gospel witness.
3. Work with your pastor to develop an evangelism strategy for equipping and training
members and interested Christians in your congregation on how to share their faith.
4. Develop a seminar for your church on how to assimilate new people into your church.
5. Organize an evangelistic event that touches the cultural needs of your area.
6. Develop and hold a seminar, conference on equipping believers to tell their story in an
effective way (Testimony)