Missions Strategy (PhD ICS)

A track elective taken under the tutelage of an assigned professor of record. (In order to take course the student must secure the approval of his or her Program Advisor.)

Orients participants to the unique dynamics, the research process and the requirements of Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies education, highlighting issues that will impact their lives and ministries; provide an overview of the Tracks and courses, with special focus on missiological research; guide participants in missiological reflection in light of their ministries and global issues; and introduce the student to the process of developing a research dissertation.

Prepares students to develop his or her dissertation proposal and research tutorials. The relationships among theological inquiry, socio-anthropological inquiry, and missions praxis will be examined. Topics include the major components of a dissertation proposal: problem formulation, review of the literature, research methodologies, presentation of findings, and conclusions. Development of a research design, bibliography, and database for intercultural research will be emphasized. The student will also develop the framework for three research tutorials that will inform the major components of his or her dissertation.

Explores biblical principles, contemporary models, and effective strategies for evangelizing non-believers, discipling converts, and planting healthy churches. Global challenges of the urban context and assimilation will be considered. Case studies will be examined.

Facilitates the articulation of a Christian response to global relief and development. Classical and modern theories of economic development and poverty eradication will be examined from a Christian perspective. Community development within a Christian worldview will be informed by the role of the developer on a personal, local, regional and global level.

Identifies the major global issues of injustice that impact women, children and minority people groups, such as human sexual trafficking, children at risk and human rights abuses. Topics include AIDS and other international health crises, urbanization trends, global economic threats, wars and refugees and environmental issues. Provides a critical overview of best practice interventions by international agencies and Christian relief and development organizations who address these global issues of social injustice.

Analyzes principles of traditional and nontraditional education, both formal and informal, with emphasis given to ministry formation. Selected educational systems such as theological education by extension (TEE), distance education, in-service training, will be evaluated as to contextual suitability and effectiveness. Participants will engage in creative application of the principles presented and innovative modes of delivery systems.

The critical role of the faith-based organization (FBO) has been universally acknowledged by the development community in its war on poverty. Traces the FBO's road to recognition in both the United States and internationally and examine the unique contribution of the FBO in community development. Explores international legislation governing the establishment of non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) legal requirements for registration and identify the financial management and project reporting requirements that are expected of an accountable and transparent organization. Provides the student with the skills to create a community development profile, strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats (SWOT) analysis and strategic plan to assist a church community to mobilize for action. Finally the student will be prepared in the skills of creating a viable business plan and the identification of potential funding resources for FBO activities.

Explores the global HIV/AIDS pandemic from various perspectives. It will look at the medical issues that the disease raises and its contribution to global poverty. It will explore the political, economic, social and security issues that its spread has created in Africa, and project future trajectories for the spread of the disease. The course will also attempt to formulate a Christian perspective on the proposed role of the church to prevent the spread of the pandemic, to provide services to minimize its affects and to minister to those infected and affected by the disease. The underlying assumption of these strategies will be to create interventions that are sustainable and community-based and have as their focal point the centrality of the local church in the areas that are most affected.

Covers current issues and strategies in missions. Topics such as collaboration, short-term and career commitments, non-residential missions, the "business as missions" movement, theological education, training church leaders/planters, missionary lifestyle, interfaith dialogue and holism/international development will be considered.

Studies a particular area or region of the world. May be taken as a dissertation tutorial or through course work in government-approved universities around the world. (In order to take this required elective course, the student must petition and secure the approval of his or her Program Advisor.)

A track elective taken with an approved educational provider that facilitates the development of competencies germane to the major applied dissertation. (In order to take this course, the student must secure the approval of his or her Program Advisor.)