REQUIRED READING:
Barna,
George; Evangelism That Works: How
to Reach Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel.
Ventura, CA: Regal Books,
1995.
Brueggemann,
Walter; Biblical Perspective on Evangelism.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.
Easum,
William; Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.
Hunter,
George; Church for the Unchurched. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1996.
Hybels,
Lynne & Bill; Rediscovering Church:
The Story & Vision of Willow Creek Community Church.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
1995.
Warren,
Rick; The Purpose Driven Church. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.
COURSE OUTLINE
January 28
The theory of
evangelism: a theological framework
beyond the great commission.
Required
Reading:
Brueggeman’s Biblical Perspective on Evangelism.
February
11
The
changing paradigm and the obstacles to evangelism in the 21st
century.
Required
Reading:
Easum’s Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers (all).
March
11
Evangelism
and outreach strategies: Willow
Creek Community Church experience -group
discussion, small group analysis, and challenges for the congregation.
Required
Reading:
Hybels’ Rediscovering Church: The
Story & Vision of Willow Creek Community Church.
April 1
Planning
for evangelism and outreach: beyond
the congregation’s borders.
Required
Readings:
Barna’s Evangelism That Works:
How to Reach Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel (all);
Hunter’s Church for the Unchurched (all); Warren’s The Purpose
Driven Church (all).
Assignment
Due: April 01, 2003, each
student must turn in a comparative essay of no more than 10 pages on the books
by Barna, Hunter, and Warren. Details
on this assignment will be given in class.
April
29
How
does all of this class work affect your ministry?
Student presentations.
Presentations
of evangelistic and outreach projects; peer feedback; class wrap-up and
evaluation.
Assignment
Due: Each student must develop
and present a draft version of his or her proposed project of evangelism or
outreach (the major class project). The
presentation should be creative and engaging, so that peers and the instructor
are compelled to listen. The draft
should contain enough detail for peers and the instructor to give feedback.
This presentation will contribute significantly to the final grade.
Assignment
Due:
May 6, 2003, each student must turn in the final version of her or his
evangelism or outreach project.
Benjamin
K. Watts