Details for Communicating the Gospel

This introductory paper covers key turning points in Christian history from Christ to the contemporary era, with a view to providing a basis for future historical and theological studies.

Awards offering Communicating the Gospel

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Diploma in Chaplaincy (Level 5)
• Diploma in Christian Leadership (Level 5)
• Diploma in Theological Studies (Level 5)

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This introductory paper covers key turning points in Christian history from Christ to the contemporary era, with a view to providing a basis for future historical and theological studies.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

1. Identify the biblical, historical and theological foundations of evangelism. This includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings
2. Show an understanding of contextual frameworks that shape evangelistic communication such as postmodernism, biculturalism and multiculturalism.
3. Identify and apply competently a variety of evangelistic resources
4. Demonstrate developing skills necessary to extend an evangelistic invitation, both in the church and in personal interaction.
5. Develop an effective evangelistic ministry for specific demographic and philosophical contexts.
6. Identify the place of outreach and evangelism in the mission of the church

Subject Content

• Foundations of evangelism
• Jesus as disciple maker
• Faith formation, conversion theology and spiritual development.
• Various methods used in outreach and first steps in the faith
• Various postmodern contexts for outreach.
• Bicultural and multicultural implications for evangelism
• Practicum in outreach and evangelism
• Effective incorporation into the Body of Christ

Prescribed Text

N/A

Representative References

Abraham, W. “The Art of Evangelism” Clergy Journal 82.8 (2006):13-15

Amsterdam 2000. The Mission of an Evangelist. Minneapolis, MN: World Wide Publications, 2001.

Comfort, R. & Cameron, K.  The School of Biblical Evangelism.  Alachua, FL:  Bridge-Logos, 2004.

Dawson, S. (ed.) The Complete Evangelism Guidebook:  Expert Advice on Reaching Others for Christ.  Grand Rapids:  Baker, 2008.

Dockery, David S. (ed.) The Challenge of Postmodernism. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 2001.

Drummond, L.A. Reaching Generation Next: Effective Evangelism in Today’s Culture. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002.

Finney, J. Emerging Evangelism. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 2004.

Hunter, Kent R. The Jesus Enterprise: Engaging the Culture to Reach the Unchurched. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004.

Hybels, B. Just Walk Across the Room. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.

Kaldor, P et al. Initial Impressions. Adelaide, South Australia: Openbook, 2002.

McIntosh, D. The Everyday Evangelist. Valley Forge, Penn.: Judson, 1984.

Mittelberg, M. Building a Contagious Church: Revolutionizing the Way We View and Do Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

Poe, H.L. Christian Witness in a Postmodern World.  Nashville TN:  Abingdon Press, 2001.

Rainer, Thom S.  Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them. Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 2001.

Reid, Alvin. Radically Unchurched: Who They Are and How to Reach Them. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2002.

Thropp, J.R. “Investing in Mission and Evangelism.” Clergy Journal 82:8 (2006): 23-32

Webber, R. Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making your Church a Faith-Forming Community. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2003.

Wright, C. “Following Jesus in the Globalised Marketplace.” Evangelical Review of Theology 31:4(2007):320-330.

Journals:

Anvil

Clergy Journal

Discipleship Journal

Evangelical Review of Theology

International Congregational Journal