Global evangelism -- Communicating the Gospel in a pluralistic world
A 6-week online course taught for Nazarene Bible College students
"This class should be called Wake up to World Missions and Evangelism because it has made me feel as though I have just come out of a deep sleep." -- Rege C., NBC student
Course resources
- Course policies
- Lectures
- Biographies
- Helpful pages
- Text of sections of Fred Parker's Mission to the World: A History of Missions in the Church of the Nazarene through 1985
- PowerPoint resources
Assignment instruction videos for this course
Having short video clips of the professor explaining the overall objective of each assignment was amazing. That's something I wish other professors did. -- NBC student on end-of-the-course evaluation
Course objectives
After taking this course, students should be able to:
- Outline a biblical rationale and the theological imperative for world evangelization
- Identify and describe some key movements and individuals in the history of the global expansion of the Christian movement, including those within one's own denomination
- Articulate some of the problems and skills involved in the challenge of communicating the gospel cross-culturally, taking into account insights from applied anthropology
- Give a biblical rationale for involvement in development and social change and outline ways the Church is involved at home and abroad.
- List some basic components necessary for local congregations to be involved in the world missionary task of the Church.
- Explain the task yet to be accomplished and describe important trends and selected strategies being used in contemporary world mission outreach
"After everything I've learned in this class, I now feel prepared to emphasize the importance of global missions in my ministry. Growing up in the Nazarene church, I heard a lot
about how important missions are, but not much about what to do if you're called to stay." -- Joy P., Nazarene Bible College student
On-line classes at NBC
-- Howard Culbertson,
Afterword: Six Reasons All Pastors Should Study World Missions
Why should students in a pastoral ministry track take a course in world evangelism? There are several good reasons. Here are six of them:
- A course in world missions helps future pastors understand that Christianity is a global faith. It is not confined to a single culture or country. This broader view helps them appreciate the diversity within the global Christian community.
- American towns and cities are increasingly multicultural. Pastors often serve congregations with members from diverse backgrounds. A missions course helps develop an awareness of cultural differences, helping pastors to approach multicultural ministry with sensitivity, adapt their messages properly, and survive cultural faux pas.
- Christ-followers are called to “go and make disciples of all nations.” A course in missions reinforces the importance of this biblical mandate. It can inspire pastors to lead their congregations to be active in outreach, support missionaries in prayer and financially, or participate in global missions themselves.
- Exposure to world missions teaches pastors that the Church’s role includes not only spiritual guidance but also practical support for communities in which Christian congregations are located. This broader view of ministry can impact how pastors approach social issues, poverty, and justice in their local context.
- A course in world missions offers insight into the history, successes, and failures of global missionary work, as well as current global challenges. This knowledge helps pastors advocate for fruitful, ethical mission practices and avoid cultural imposition in their ministry.
- World missions courses often connect students with missionaries and church leaders from around the globe. These networks can provide resources and support for local and global ministry initiatives.
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