ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Continuing Education Course Valley Forge Christian College Phoenixville, PA September 15-19, 2003 MCSB/PTHB 529 FOUNDATIONS OF CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY (3 Credits) Barbara Cavaness, Ph.D. Fall 2003 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION This interdisciplinary course is designed to prepare the student for effective ministry in the complexities of cross-cultural settings. Foundational issues related to applied missions anthropology, intercultural communication, and contextualization will be addressed. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Recognize his/her cultural presuppositions and values and their impact on the effective cross-cultural communication of the Gospel. 2. Understand the role of selected facets of social science in cross-cultural ministries. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of significant terminology used in the discipline of missiology. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the essential concepts of cultural anthropology, cross-cultural communication, and contextualization. 5. Know the implications of societal typologies for cross-cultural ministry. 6. Identify and discuss the components of culture and various worldviews. 7. Appreciate the dynamics of theological contextualization. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Dyrness, William A. Invitation to Cross-Cultural Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992. (168) Lingenfelter, Sherwood. Agents of Transformation: A Guide for Effective Cross-Cultural Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1996. (275) Lingenfelter, Sherwood. Transforming Culture: A Challenge for Christian Mission. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1998. (181) 1Lingenfelter, Sherwood and Marvin Mayers. Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1986. (124) RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993. Dyrness, William A. Learning About Theology from the Third World. Grand Rapids, MI: Academie, 1990. Hiebert, Paul and Eloise H. Meneses. Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant, and Urban Societies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1995. BASIC OUTLINE 15 Sep Introduction: The Biblical Foundation Personal Cultural Awareness **Personal Cross-cultural Inventory paper due. Values and Worldview 16 Sep Religion as a Universal Reality **Personal Grid/group Assessment paper due. Case Study Methodology Understanding Culture Using Anthropological Lenses 17 Sep Transforming Culture **Lingenfelter: Agents of Transformation interaction due. Dynamics of Communicating Across Cultures 18 Sep Contextualization Foundations **Dyrness: Invitation to Cross-cultural Theology interaction due. 19 Sep Strategies for Cross-Cultural Ministry and Two-Thirds World Missions Final Exam 2METHODOLOGY Lectures, small group discussion, video presentation(s), book interactions, case study analysis and quizzes, research/case study paper, and final exam. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Reading of the required textbooks and assigned readings, with reading interactions—one to two pages—on the Dyrness and Lingenfelter: Agents texts. Assigned collateral readings will be placed on reserve in the library for reading or photocopying. Graduate study assumes readings are complete and the student is conversant in the content. Students will be asked to affirm the completion of readings at exam time. 2. Successful completion of case study quizzes and a final exam. 3. Papers to be written (typed, double-spaced, including your name and the title of the paper): a. Pre-session I: Students are to read the Lingenfelter/Mayers text and complete the questionnaire on pages 29-33, the analysis on page 34, and the personal profile on page 35. Based on the results of the profile, write a 2-3-page personal cross-cultural inventory. The paper should show what you learned about yourself, possible explanations or illustrations of your profile, how you have changed from a previous time in your life, the validity of your results, etc. Please address all six areas of the profile, citing your coordinates. DUE DATE: Monday, September 15, 2003. b. Pre-session II: Students are to read the Lingenfelter Transforming Culture text and complete the questionnaire on pages 38-48 and the personal grid/group assessment on pages 49-50. Based on the results of the assessment, write a 2-3-page description of the social games which are typical of your workplace, household, and church. The paper should show what you learned about your group interactions, the implications the games for your ministry, and your reflection on the usefulness of this tool, etc. DUE DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2003. c. & d. The interactions with Lingenfelter/Agents and Dyrness/Invitation texts can also be done pre-session or else handed in on Wed and Thurs as the student prefers. The 2-3-page interaction should affirm that the student completed the reading of the book, cite some of its strengths and weaknesses, evaluate its significance, reflect on how the book applies to the student’s present or future ministry, etc. Please do not retell the content of the book. DUE DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2003. e. Research/Case study paper (case study to be approved by instructor by Sept 19): Paper to be sent to the instructor postmarked no later than Dec 19 (10-15 pages). Please note that the grade will be reduced one letter grade per week for late 3work. Further details and instructions for the paper will be explained in class. They are to be typed in a 12-point font, double spaced, according to Turabian’s 6th edition guidelines. Please include a title page, table of contents page, and references cited page. Electronic copies may be sent by email to [email protected] DUE DATE: December 19, 2003. 4. Faithful attendance to class (as per the Student Handbook) and participation in discussions/groups. GRADING PROCEDURE Attendance and class participation 10% Two textbook interactions 20% Cross-cultural inventory paper 10% Grid/group assessment paper 10% Quizzes 10% Research/case study paper 20% Final exam 20% SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Anthropology Benedict, R. Patterns of Culture. Boston: Houghton, 1934. Foster, George M. Traditional Societies and Technological Change. 2d ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1973. Fox, R. Kinship and Marriage: An Anthropological Perspective. New York: