MS 508 EVANGELISM SYLLABUS Parish Track REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CHARLOTTE SPRING 2010 Rod Culbertson, Jr. Associate Professor of Practical Theology [email protected] FOR MS508: EVANGELISM/PARISH TRACK REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - CHARLOTTE SPRING 2010 ROD CULBERTSON, JR. ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF PRACTICAL THEOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will train students to be thoughtful evangelists and to understand and use biblical principles and methods of church outreach through the utilization of a student/mentor relationship. Emphasis is placed on having a deep desire to reach the lost for Christ. Personal, relational and corporate (organic) evangelism and motivating the laity for ministry will be addressed by the professor and the mentor pastor. COURSE OBJECTIVES: COGNITIVE (KNOW/UNDERSTAND): 1. The student will be able to present a full explanation of the gospel message, including an introduction, an organized outline of gospel content, attendant biblical references and illustrations, a conclusion and a follow-up strategy. 2. The student will be exposed to a local model of church evangelism. 3. The student will be learn how to present his personal testimony and to help others do the same. 4. The student will learn how to build bridges to non-Christians in a relational context for the sake of the gospel. 5. The student will learn the importance of prayer in any evangelistic endeavor. 6. The student will learn the role of pastoral leadership in both personal and corporate evangelism. AFFECTIVE (FEEL/MOTIVATION): 1. The student will gain a greater motivation and compassion for reaching the lost. 2. The student will gain a deeper desire to maintain a God-centered view and practice of evangelism. 3. The student will gain a deeper conviction that the local church body is God’s primary means of evangelism. 4. The student will be inspired in personal confidence and courage for sharing the gospel through the modeling of a mentor pastor. 5. The student will become more sensitive to the needs of the surrounding culture and the people in his/her world. 6. The student will be compelled to care and pray for the lost, the endangered and the unchurched. VOLITIONAL (DO/COMPETENCIES): 1. The student will conduct an interview with either his/her pastor and reflect upon how he or she will do evangelism in his/her church. 2. The student will be able to write out or verbalize a gospel presentation that will enable him or her to effectively present the gospel. The student will also be able to train others in how to present the gospel. 3. The student will conduct an interview with an unbeliever in order to understand the worldviews and the thinking of the lost and unchurched. 4. The student will be involved in some facet of local church evangelism, with a mentor, during the3semester and will fulfill two assigned projects in the local church context. 5. The student will be enabled to be a more effective personal evangelist, while also able to develop a plan for corporate evangelism through the local church. Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Course: MS 508 Parish Track Evangelism Professor: Dr. Culbertson, Jr. Campus: Charlotte Date: Spring 2010 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Rubric  Strong  Moderate  Minimal  None Mini-Justification Articulation (oral & written) Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Strong Student required to articulate a complete gospel presentation and a philosophy of ministry of evangelism Scripture Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Moderate Required to memorize Scripture verses, with some comprehension of the context (minimal hermeneutics) RH timeline used for Scriptural basis and motivation to evangelize Reformed Theology Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Moderate Lecture is given on the theological foundations for evangelism Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. Minimal Some emphasis on prayer and heart for evangelism Desire for Worldview Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Minimal Philosophical considerations are included. Winsomely Reformed Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Strong Relational evangelism and bridge building, as well as an appreciation for other traditions is emphasized. Preach Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. None Evangelism sermons are required in the RTS/Charlotte preaching lab courses Worship Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Minimal Liturgical evangelism and “community” evangelism are addressed4Shepherd Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in America and worldwide. Minimal Philosophy of shepherding and also corporate evangelism are addressed briefly Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Strong Views of the Christian’s relationship to culture and understanding postmodernism are addressed REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: