ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Springfield, Missouri October 20-24 and 27-31, 2003 MCSM/PTHM 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) Lingenfelter, Sherwood and Marvin Mayers. Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1986. (124)MCS/PTH 529 Foundations of Cross-Cultural Ministry Page 2 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 20 Oct Introduction: The Biblical Foundation 21 Oct Personal Cultural Awareness **Personal Cross-cultural Inventory paper due. Values and Worldview 22 Oct Religion as a Universal Reality Case Study Methodology 23 Oct Understanding Culture Using Anthropological Lenses **Personal Grid/group Assessment paper due. 24 Oct Transforming Culture 27 Oct Dynamics of Communicating Across Cultures **Lingenfelter: Agents of Transformation interaction due. 28 Oct Dynamics continued 29 Oct Contextualization Foundations **Dyrness: Invitation to Cross-cultural Theology interaction due. 30 Oct Strategies for Cross-Cultural Ministry and Two-Thirds World Missions 31 Oct Final ExamMCS/PTH 529 Foundations of Cross-Cultural Ministry Page 3 METHODOLOGY 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. Due Oct.21: 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: Due Tues. Oct. 21. 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: Tuesday, October 21. b. 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 of the games for your ministry, and your reflection on the usefulness of this tool, etc. DUE DATE: Thursday, October 23. c. & d. The interactions with Lingenfelter/Agents and Dyrness/Invitation texts are due on October 27 and 29. 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. e. Research/Case study paper (case study to be approved by instructor by Oct 30): (10-15 pages). Please note that the grade will be reduced one letter grade per week for late work. 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. DUE DATE: November 17.MCS/PTH 529 Foundations of Cross-Cultural Ministry Page 4 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: Penguin, 1967. Grunlan, Stephen A. and Marvin K. Mayers. Cultural Anthropology: A