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Summer 2011 Course Descriptions

CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY

Professor: Dr. Ed Christy


Course Description

The course "Cross-cultural Ministry" should prepare students for the cultural differences that they will experience in various European countries as opposed to an American setting.   The principles of cultural adaptation learned in the course should enable students to become bi-cultural and to minister successfully in another country.  


Course Rationale

We approach this subject with the belief that human culture is influenced greatly by the fallen nature of man, and that the Scriptures are the guide for examining culture.   However, many cultural differences and expectations are not in violation of divine revelation, and those who wish to work in another culture accomplish better their task if they are sensitive to cultural diversity and work within the expectations of the culture.   We have the example of the apostle Paul in this area (1 Cor. 9:19-23).


Course Learning Outcomes

As a result of taking this course the student will be able...

  1. To understand and be able to describe some of the key differences between Europeans and Americans in regard to worldviews and social life. Cultural differences will be explored among some of the various European countries.
    1. To explain the impact of these differences in regards to friendships and the difficulties that Americans experience in Europe.
    2. To recognize the place of religion in the thinking of various European countries.
    3. To develop a ministry attitude that will enable Americans to be able to serve in Europe.
  2. To experience the difficulties of language learning and communication in another culture.
  3. To appreciate the difficulty but also the necessity of missionary efforts in Europe and to affirm this need in the U.S.
  4. To pray that God would send forth laborers to Europe and that the student might be willing to be answer to this prayer.

To accomplish these goals, the following activities will be put in place.

  1. Audiocassette taped interviews, video interviews, website information, books, magazine articles, and class notes will be used to discover the cultural differences among several European countries.   These will be compared to the habits in American culture.   Students will be expected to take careful notes in order to supplement the notes given as handouts.
  2. Students will spend two weeks in an internship in a European country and will record in a journal their cultural experiences, especially those that reveal differences with what they have experienced in America (14 x .50H=7H).
  3. Students will engage in 1 hour a day of language learning (14H).
  4. Students will also record their church experiences and remark those things that are different than those experienced in an American setting (4 x .50H=2H).
  5. Students will do a total of 500 pages of reading related to cultural adaptation in the country of their internship (14 H).
  6. Students will do a 10-page paper on cultural adaptation to the country of their internship (16H).
  7. Students will seek an occasion to present the needs of the country in which they have done their internship (Sunday school class, missions class, church service, or chapel in a school). The presentation could be done after the end of the class, but the student must describe the occasion before the August 1st deadline (6H for preparation and giving of the presentation).

Requirements to successfully complete all course expectations

  1. The expectations for all assignments.
    1. In order to fulfill all course learning outcomes the student will carefully read the lecture materials and reading assignments relevant to the learning outcome. Reading assignments will be detailed in the weekly schedule for the course.
    2. Reading should be done with undivided attention in order to thoroughly understand what has been read and to contribute positively to class discussions.
  2. The expectations for written assignments: It is expected that the student will compose a 10-page paper in the following manner:
    1. The papers will be written with a font no larger than 12 point.
    2. The papers will have 1 inch margins.
    3. The single spaced paper will be no less than 9 pages and no more than 11 pages.
    4. The papers must include the date and time of submission. If the date and time of the paper submission is not included, the paper will be graded on a 90 point scale.
    5. The papers should use an abbreviated footnote to indicate the source/basis of your information. The abbreviated footnote would include (Author: page number). A full bibliography at the end of the essay is required.
    6. The papers can be emailed to me [echristy33@aol.com] in a MS Word format. In order not to lose your work, please print a copy of the paper for your own file.
    7. Grading Format: All written assignments received before or on the due date will be graded on a 100-point scale. Assignments received after the assigned due date will be graded on a 90-point scale.


CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY

Professor: Dr. Jeff Brown


Course Description

Contemporary Theology will introduce students to the leading theologians and concepts of Liberal Theology and Contemporary Theology in Europe, as well as the philosophies and cultural events which influenced them. The course will also trace the impact of Liberal Theology and Contemporary Theology upon theologians in the North America.


Course Rationale

Europe has a Christian cultural heritage. But in addition to the teachings of Roman Catholicism and the Reformation, European thinking has been heavily shaped by the Enlightenment and by philosophies which have followed. Christian Theologies were, as a result, altered from what had been accepted Christian dogma for centuries. It is crucial for those who minister in Europe to understand this theological development since 1800. When speaking with the average European about religious subjects, one will regularly encounter the teachings of Liberal and Contemporary theology. Cultural sensitivity demands that the religious ideas one encounters among Europeans be taken seriously. The subject will be approached from the perspective that the Bible is the correct source for evaluating all theologies and religious statements.


Course Learning Outcomes

As a result of taking this course the student will be able . . .

  1. To understand and to describe key teachings of Liberal and Contemporary theologies. The student will also be equipped to respond to such teachings as they arise in interaction with people who live in Europe.
  2. To understand the circumstances for the rise of the Enlightenment and the thorough impact it has had on European thinking.
  3. To understand how the Enlightenment has affected all theology in Europe until today and why a greater missionary effort is needed on the part of the U.S. and other countries".
  4. To understand how post-modern philosophies have likewise affected Protestant and Catholic Theology in Europe.
  5. To be able to give biblical evaluation and answers to various Liberal and Contemporary theologies.
  6. To pray intelligently that God would send forth laborers to Europe and that the student might be willing to be the answer to this prayer.

To accomplish these goals, the following activities will be put in place.

  1. Students will attend lectures, take notes and participate in discussion of the subject.
  2. Students will conduct a survey about people's religious beliefs with ten people to show how practically the enlightenment and liberalism have impacted people in today's society (10 H); the survey will be done primarily with people who are not born-again Christians.
  3. Students will read a total of 800 pages of material related to Liberal and Contemporary Theology (24 H). Students will read a total of 370 pages of Stanley Grenz and Roger Olson, 20th Century Theology (purchase of the book is a class requirement. The student is to bring it and a Bible to the lectures) and 430 additional pages of the works of Liberal and Contemporary theologians, or surveys of modern and post-modern philosophy.
  4. Students will do a 5 page paper on their interaction with the religious thinking of people in the country of their internship (10H).
  5. Students will write an exam on the material learned from the lectures and from Grenz and Olson (to be mailed to the professor w/in two weeks after all Eurosem classes are completed) (10H).
  6. Students will seek an occasion to present the needs of the country in which they have done their internship (Sunday school class, missions class, or church service, chapel in a school). The presentation could be done after the end of the class, but the student must describe the occasion before the August 1st deadline (5H for preparation and giving of the presentation).

Requirements to successfully complete all course expectations

  1. The expectations for all assignments.
    1. In order to fulfill all course learning outcomes the student will carefully read the lecture materials and reading assignments relevant to the learning outcome. Reading assignments will be detailed in the weekly schedule for the course.
    2. Reading should be done with undivided attention in order to thoroughly understand what has been read and to contribute positively to class discussions.
  2. The expectations for written assignments: It is expected that the student will compose a 10-page paper in the following manner:
    1. The papers will be written with a font no larger than 12 point.
    2. The papers will have 1 inch margins.
    3. The single spaced paper will be no less than 9 pages and no more than 11 pages.
    4. The papers must include the date and time of submission. If the date and time of the paper submission is not included, the paper will be graded on a 90 point scale.
    5. The papers should use an abbreviated footnote to indicate the source/basis of your information. The abbreviated footnote would include (Author: page number). A full bibliography at the end of the essay is required.
    6. The papers can be emailed to me [echristy33@aol.com] in a MS Word format. In order not to lose your work, please print a copy of the paper for your own file.
    7. Grading Format: All written assignments received before or on the due date will be graded on a 100-point scale. Assignments received after the assigned due date will be graded on a 90-point scale.
    8. The examination is to be dated and signed by a controller, and mailed, surface mail, to the professor (the professor’s address will be on the test paper).


OBJECTIVES FOR THE EUROSEM PRACTICUM 2011

  1. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to explain the rhythm and culture of the host country in which they serve and be able to adapt to it. Adapting to another culture is an important part of being an effective missionary. Dress and times of meals may be somewhat different than those in the U.S. This learning outcome will be measured at the end of the practicum by a written report dealing with cultural questions.
  2. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to describe the manner of doing home visits and what are the faux pas to avoid in the host country. A missionary must learn what are appropriate and inappropriate questions and matters of conversation. This will be accomplished through discussions with the host pastor.
  3. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to explain differences between worship services in the U.S. and those of their host country. The goal is that U.S. missionaries will learn the differences between the two cultures and not try to impose an American worship on those of their host country. Prayer, testimonies, and singing are often given greater emphasis in other cultures. This will be measured at the end of the practicum by a written report dealing with cultural questions.
  4. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to prepare and give a testimony in the host language (if possible). If this is not possible, the student should discuss the testimony process with the host missionary or pastor in order to know what elements could be offensive or misunderstood in the communication process and give his testimony in English and be translated by someone of the host country.
  5. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to explain differences in regard to illustrations and sermon delivery in the host country from that of the U.S. Missionaries must learn to choose illustrations that will connect with the people of the country in which they serve. The way of giving a sermon may differ from one country to another; some gestures may be misunderstood or offensive in other countries. This will be measured through a written assignment at the end of the practicum.
  6. As a result of completing the Eurosem practicum, the student will be able to explain obstacles to the gospel in the host country. These obstacles will be learned through a discussion with the host pastor or missionary and/or selected readings if available. Each country has its own history and culture that may have created barriers to the gospel. The new missionary must learn these obstacles and be able to work around them. This will be measured through a written assignment at the end of the practicum.

Contact Information


7749 Webster Road
PO Box 308011
Cleveland, OH 44130-8011
Phone 440.826.3930
Fax 440.826.4457
E-mail: info@euro-sem.org

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