Dan Burton dan.burton@ccuniversity.edu (513) 244-8167 Office: Lower Level of Presidents Hall UIMN 330 - Preparing for Intercultural Ministry (3 hours) Fall 2015 MW 11:00 12:15 @ WM 122 Description A study of the personal and practical details involved in going to and working in a cross-cultural setting. Details including selecting a field, choosing an appropriate ministry, raising support, and learning another culture will be studied as the students apply all of this to a specific people group of their choice. Objectives 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of cross-cultural communication including developing a plan for becoming bicultural. 2. Promote a vision for holistic ministry. 3. Cultivate a biblically sound theology of mission. 4. Learn the practical skills necessary to get to and minister effectively in an intercultural context. Required Texts 1. Encountering Missionary Life and Work ISBN: 978-0-8010-2659-1 Author: Tom Steffen and Lois MCKinney Douglas Copyright: 2008 Publisher: Baker 2. The God Ask ISBN: 978-0-9825107-3-5 Author: Steve Shadrach Copyright: 2013 Publisher: CMM Press 3. Bruchko ISBN: 978-1-59185-993-2 Author: Bruce Olson Copyright: 2005 Publisher: YWAM 4. A Missionary Biography/Autobiography approved by the instructor. Page1
Class Policies 1. Students having more than four absences in this class (regardless of the reason) will be dropped from the roll. Four tardies will be counted as an absence. 2. Late assignments may be turned in for a reduced grade. Grades are reduced by 5% each day they are late. 3. All assignments are to be typed. 4. Students are expected to participate in class discussions. Grades will be adjusted up or down in accordance with the student s participation. Examinations There will be one exam given on September 16 and it will count as 10% of your class grade. Assignments Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date assigned. Assignment #1 Self Assessment/Book Review is due on Sept 28. (10% of your grade) Assignment #2 Personalized Ministry Plan is previewed on Oct 7 and due on Oct 19. (25%) Assignment #3 Reading/Reporting on a missionary biography is due Nov 2. (10%) Assignment #4 Partnership Plan is due Nov 9. (10%) Assignment #5 Personal Accountability & Conflict Strategy Plan is due Nov 16. (5%) Assignment #6 Ministry Presentation is due Dec 2. (10%) Assignment #7 Reading Report is due Dec 9. (10%) An alternative for Assignment #6 is also an option. This assignment is described in the Assignment Details section and is related to attending the International Conference on Missions in Richmond, VA from October 29 November 1. A rubric will be provided for all of the assignments. Attach a copy of the appropriate rubric to the front of each assignment. Students should read over each rubric before completing the assignment to make sure his or her submission meets the requirements. All assignments must be printed out and turned in, not submitted electronically. Participation Participating in class discussions, daily devotions, presentations, and asking appropriate questions of our guest lecturers accounts for 10% of your grade. Disclaimer This syllabus should not be taken as a comprehensive statement of all policies related to this course. The professor reserves the right to amend or alter the course plan during the semester, with adequate warning to the students of any changes. Grades This class follows the standard CCU grade scale: A 95-100 C+ 80-82 A- 92-94 C 77-79 B+ 89-91 C- 74-76 B 86-88 D+ 71-73 B- 83-85 D 65-70 F 0-64 Page2
Assignment Details Assignment 1: Self-Assessment / Book Review (10%) Due September 28 Use what you learned from reading Bruchko (all) and Steffen (chapters 3-6), and from your class lectures to write a 750 to 1000 word essay assessing the following: 1. Critique Bruce Olson (his call, his methodology, his style pros and cons). If you were on his mission board (or even just his friend), what would you challenge and what would you commend? 2. Compare yourself to Olson your calling, your approach to decision making and planning (give specific examples), your gift mix, your personality, your passion, your missiology, and your experience. 3. Do you feel you are ready spiritually, educationally, experientially, relationally, emotionally for the mission field? Why/Why not? If not, what would you need to do to be ready and prepared for ministry? Assignment 2: A Personalized Ministry Plan (25%) Preview due Oct. 7, final draft due Oct. 19 Write a 10 to 15 page Personalized Ministry Plan for your selected field, drawing from the required readings, the classroom lectures and additional library and internet research (such as Operation World by Jason Mandryk). The ministry plan must include the following five sections: 1. Identify a foreign urban cross-cultural ministry setting that will be the focus of your work this semester. Write a description of the culture, history, and material and spiritual needs of the people group you will focus upon. Explain why this particular people group appeals to you. You must also identify which avenue of cross-cultural ministry you have chosen (will you work as an independent missionary, with a mission agency, through your local church, or another avenue) and why. This should be three to four pages long. 2. A description of your proposed ministry among the people group you have chosen. Explain how this ministry will communicate the Gospel in a way that meets local needs, is consistent with your giftedness/passion, would be culturally appropriate, and addresses some area of social justice. Describe the various stages of this ministry, from setup to implementation to completion. Include a description of how you will train and empower local leaders to modify and develop this vision and take responsibility for the ministry. This should be two to four pages. 3. A summary of the current Christian work already being done among this people group. Are there indigenous churches? Are other foreign missionaries and agencies already doing work there? Explain why there is a need for another missionary, or another church. What is the niche your ministry will help fill? How will your ministry relate to the existing ministries? This should be one to two pages. 4. A brief plan for learning the local language and culture. This applies to people working in an English-speaking environment as well. How will you gain proficiency in the local language (or learn the local English dialect, slang, vocabulary) and culture? Discuss various options of formal and informal learning. Research and cite specifically several options of language schools that offer this training in the US or abroad (or in an English-speaking country, research opportunities to enroll in a local college as an international student). Include any information you gathered in class lectures. This should be one to two pages. Page3
5. Your travel plans. a. Submit a photocopy of your passport (you may blacken out your passport number for security purposes) or a completed passport application (pictures not necessary, leave blank sensitive information such as social security number). b. Consult relevant web sites, and report current US State Department travel warnings or advisories for your field including any appropriate crime statistics. Is a visa required? How much will it cost? c. Imagine you plan to depart within the next two months for your chosen field. Search online for the best travel options and submit a proposed itinerary, including flight numbers, detail schedule, cost of plane tickets, hotels, meals, and ground transportation to the airport for departure and from the airport to your final destination. d. Submit a description of supplies you would need to ship to your field (for example: books, supplies for a medical ministry, toys and educational materials for children s ministry, household goods not available in your field, etc.). Make realistic estimates of weights for your items and calculate the shipping costs. All together your travel plans should be three to four pages. Assignment 3: Missionary Biography (10%) Due November Choose an approved missionary biography and write a 750 word essay that includes the following. 1. Facts about the missionary (including why they are notable, where they worked, what they did, when they did it, and why you chose to read this book) 2. Significant accomplishments of the missionary 3. What you learned from the book. 4. What facts were left out what else do you wish were included in the book? 5. Would you want to work with this person? Why/why not? 6. What impressed you most about this person? 7. Did they miss the mark in any area of their life or ministry (what could they have done differently)? 8. What did it teach you about God, missions, missionaries, or missionary work? The student will also do a 5-10 minute presention of the missionary to the class. Assignment 4: Partnership Plan (15%) Due November 9 From reading The God Ask and hearing the class lectures: 1. Review each of the six sections of The God Ask - giving highlights (what you learned) from each of the sections. Then give detailed steps you will take to raise the support you will need in order to serve in your chosen field (use your own words..don t just quote the book). This can be informal and personal in style. This should be 3-4 pages 2. Prepare a detailed budget for your ministry according to guidelines given by the professor (and from The God Ask). Your budget should delineate between your One-time funds and your Sustaining budget. Research the figures you use online or by contacting missionaries or mission agencies working in that field. This should be 1-2 pages. 3. Write a one page letter inviting someone (a REAL person) to act as your forwarding agent. The letter should describe the duties of the position and the reasons you believe this person would be a good choice. If you choose to go with a mission agency, explain what duties they will perform on your behalf, and your responsibilities to them. 4. Write an explanation of how you will get money from your forwarding agent while you are on the field. Investigate the reliability of the banking system, the availability of ATMs, or whether you will be dependent on physical transport of cash. You can find this information on-line or through correspondence with workers already serving in your field. Page4
5. Prepare a database of at least 20 names with contact information (addresses and e-mail) of potential partners. Indicate how you know each person and the method with which you will use to contact them (e.g. personal visit, phone call, email, letter, etc.). 6. Write a one-page letter soliciting a new partner for spiritual and material support according to guidelines from readings and class lectures. This letter must include: what you will be doing and where; specific dates of how much money is needed; when the money is needed by; how they can send their money (and any specific instructions if checks are being filled out); if their money is tax-deducable. Assignment 5: Accountability and Conflict strategy (5%) Due Nov. 16 1. Write a one page accountability plan for your spiritual health and productivity on the field. Indicate what you see as particular accountability issues in your life, who you choose as an accountability partner, and how (and how often) you will communicate with him or her. 2. Write a two page reflection on how you will deal with team conflict. How does your personality play into potential conflict? What are your triggers and potential areas of conflict? What proactive steps can you take to minimize the number and duration of potential conflicts, and deal with them honestly and effectively when they do arise? Assignment 6: Ministry Presentation (10%) Due Dec. 2 Prepare a high quality presentation of your ministry in the medium of your choice, such as Power Point, video, an oral presentation or a well done table-top display. You will present this in class. This will be explained more fully in class by your instructor. **Assignment 6 Alternative or extra credit International Conference on Missions (ICOM) Due Nov. 2 Attend the ICOM from October 29 November 1 in Richmond, VA and fulfill the requirements given in the handout in class. Assignment 7: Reading Assignments (10%) Due Dec. 9 You must read the following books: 1. Steffen, Tom. Encountering Missionary Life and Work (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008) chapters 1, 3-8. 2. Shadrach, Steve. The God Ask (Fayetteville, AR: CMM Press, 2013). 3. Olson, Bruce. Bruchko (Seattle: YWAM, 2005). 4. A missionary biography of your choice (approved by the instructor). You will report your reading on your honor and your grade will be based on the percentage of the pages you read out of what was assigned. This will be reported via a form given to you on December 9 that you will fill out, sign and turn in. Page5
Name: Box Number: UIMN 330 Preparing for Intercultural Ministry Grading Rubric, Assignment 1 Self Assessment (Attach this as a cover sheet to your assignment) Technical issues Critique & Comparison Self-Evaluation Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unsatisfactory Paper meets page requirement, is properly formatted, and has minimal spelling or grammar issues. (20 pts.) Student thoughtfully evaluates Bruce Colson s missionary methodology and insightfully compares herself/himself to Colson. (40 pts.) Student thoughtfully evaluates himself/herself as to ministry readiness, spiritual formation, and next steps in decision-making. (40 pts) Paper falls slightly below page requirement and/or has some issues with formatting, spelling, or grammar. Student s critique and comparisons do not address all of the issues listed in the assignment. (30 pts.) Student selfassessment briefly addresses the areas required in the syllabus, but not in great depth. (30 pts.) The paper is significantly below the page requirement and had significant spelling or grammar mistakes. ( 5 pts.) Student addresses few of the critiques or comparisons and they are done superficially. The selfassessment omits one or more of the topics required in the syllabus or addresses them superficially. Paper falls well below page requirement and/or has significant issues with formatting, spelling or grammar. There is no comparison or critique done by the student. Self- assessment was not done or very poorly done. Grade for assignment: Page6
Name: Box Number: UIMN 330 Preparing for Intercultural Ministry Grading Rubric, Assignment 2 Ministry Plan (Attach this as a cover sheet to your assignment) Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unsatisfactory Technical issues Field identification Ministry description Description of existing work Culture acquisition plan Travel Plans Paper meets page requirement, is properly formatted, and has minimal spelling or grammar issues and is properly referenced A suitable field has been identified. Culture, history, material and social justice needs are described and the student articulates how this field matches his or her giftedness. (20 pts.) The ministry vision is consistent with the culture and the student s giftedness. The stages of ministry laid out are realistic and the student has a clear vision for empowering local leadership. (25 pts.) Student has done careful research to document existing Christian work and articulates clearly how his or her ministry will relate to those ministries and fill a necessary niche. The student presents a well-researched plan for acquiring language and culture, including formal and informal educational options to help the student become bicultural. Passport, travel warnings, a detailed itinerary (with costs) and a list of supplies needed are all provided. Paper falls slightly below page requirement and/or has issues with formatting, spelling, grammar, or references. The areas required in the syllabus are addressed, but treatment of the topic does not show depth or sophistication. The ministry vision includes all the required elements, but needs more work to demonstrate an effective connection between the culture, the student, and local leaders. (20 pts.) Documentation of existing Christian work shows some research and preliminary thinking about how the new ministry will relate to existing work. The culture acquisition plan covers the required areas but needs to be more encompassing. Most of the required travel plans were completed, but not all of them in detail. Paper falls well below page requirement and/or has significant formatting, spelling or grammar issues. (2 pts.) One or more of the areas required in the syllabus are omitted, or is addressed in an unacceptably superficial way. The ministry vision lacks one or more of the required elements specified in the syllabus or treats them in an unduly superficial way. Description of existing Christian work is inadequately researched. Student cannot articulate how the new work relates to existing ministries. The culture acquisition plan is cursory and/or seriously inadequate. Many of the details of the travel plan were lacking. Paper length, formatting, spelling and or grammar is unacceptable The field of study was not approved by the instructor and is not acceptable. The ministry vision lacks many of the required elements, does not address the elements required and/or is unrealistic. Existing Christian work is not addressed or researched. There ain t no language plan whatsoever. Nada. Travel plan stinks. Grade for assignment: Page7
Name: Box Number: UIMN 330 Preparing for Intercultural Ministry Grading Rubric, Assignment 3 Missionary Biography (Attach this as a cover sheet to your assignment) Technical issues Factual Review Lessons Learned Critique Presentation Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unsatisfactory Paper meets page requirement, is properly formatted, included the cover sheet and has minimal spelling or grammar issues. The who, what, when, where, why questions are thoroughly addressed. (20 pts.) What the student learned about missions, culture, commitment, God or missionary work is presented in a thoughtful manner. (30 pts.) Student thoughtfully evaluates the missionary s methodology and respectfully suggests alternative ways the missionary could have served. (25 pts.) Presentation in class was well-prepared and showed indepth knowledge of the missionary. Paper falls slightly below page requirement and/or has some issues with formatting, spelling, or grammar. Most of the facts are presented, but there are few holes. Many lessons are presented but not as thorough as they could have been. (25 pts.) Student s critique and evaluation of the missionary is not thorough. (20 pts.) Presentation was well done but lacking in depth or insight. The paper is significantly below the page requirement and had significant spelling or grammar mistakes. ( 5 pts.) The facts are spotty and the information on this person is lacking. Few points are brought up and the lessons are pithy. Student addresses few of the critiques suggested in the syllabus and they are done superficially. Presentation lacked in a number of areas (2 pts.) Paper falls well below page requirement and/or has significant issues with formatting, spelling or grammar. Facts? What facts? Little to no lessons are presented in the paper. There is little or no critique done by the student. Not done or very poorly done. Grade for assignment: Page8
Support Raising Strategy Budget Forwarding Agent letter Funds transfer plan Contact database Partnership letter Name: Box Number: UIMN 330 Preparing for Intercultural Ministry Grading Rubric, Assignment 4 Partnership Plan (Attach this as a cover sheet to your assignment) Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unsatisfactory Student clearly explains and evaluates The God Ask, what was learned from the book and writes out detailed steps on how he/she will raise the support needed. (20 pts.) Student submits a field budget that includes all the necessary elements specified in class, with realistic budget figures supported by research. (25 pts.) The forwarding agent letter is well written and clearly describes the duties of the position and the recipient s qualifications for it Student demonstrates thorough research of alternatives for funds transfers and the reliability of the local banking system. Student submits a list of at least 20 names of potential supporters with addresses, phone, e-mail and notation of how he or she knows each person. (20 pts.) Assignment includes a one-page partnership letter, skillfully written, attractively formatted, and meeting all the guidelines provided in class with excellence. There is some evaluation of the book, and a somewhat detailed plan on how to raise support is given. Student submits a field budget that includes all the necessary elements. Budget figures need more research support. (20 pts.) The forwarding agent letter adequately describes the duties and the recipient s qualifications but does not stand out. Student has done some preliminary research on funds transfers and the local banking system, more research is needed. Student submits a list of at least 20 names of potential supporters and the majority of the contact information and notations. The partnership letter is adequate, but could be written and formatted in a more interesting way. It misses one or more guidelines from class. Student poorly reviews the book and does not have a clear plan from whom they will raise support from or how they will go about raising it. One or more necessary elements of the field budget are omitted. The letter cover some details but is poorly written. (2 pts.) Student has a plan but it is unrealistic and poorly researched. (2 pts.) Student list of potential supporters but much of the contact information and notations are missing. The partnership letter falls seriously short in quality, formatting, or content guidelines presented in class. Student s plan really stinks. There isn t a plan for whom they will solicit or how they will go about raising their needed funds. The book is not reviewed. Budget reflects one the U.S. Congress would put together unbalanced and lacking common sense. (0 pts) The forwarding agent letter neither describes the duties nor the recipient s qualifications. Student has not done adequate research to determine possibilities for funds transfers and banking system reliability. The list is either nonexistant or is a lame attempt. There either is no partnership letter or it is a feeble attempt. Page9 Grade for assignment:
Name: Box Number: UIMN 330 Preparing for Intercultural Ministry Grading Rubric, Assignment 5 Accountability & Conflict Strategy (Attach this as a cover sheet to your assignment) Accountability Plan Team Conflict Plan Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unsatisfactory The 1-page accountability plan honestly identifies personal issues, indicates a potential accountability partner, and proposes a realistic plan for regular communication. (50 pts.) Two pages of the assignment seriously ponders the student s personality as well as the issue of potential team conflicts and healthy ways to deal with it effectively when it arises. This also mentions the triggers the student needs to be aware of in their life. (50 pts.) The student identifies an accountability issue, an accountability partner, and a communication plan, but needs to put further thought into this issue. (35 pts.) The student considers the issue of team conflict, including prevention and resolution, but falls short in page length, depth, or practicality. (35 pts.) The plan is put together, but it is sloppy and incomplete. (25 pts.) The student does not give careful consideration to their own personality or to the issue of team conflict. More thought and study in this area is needed. (25 pts.) The student does not show a selfawareness of accountability issues or identify a suituable accountability partner and means of communication. The two page reflection is neither two pages nor a reflection. Grade for assignment: Page10
Name UIMN 330 - Final Project Assignment #6 1. WHO you are going to work with - name of group & cultural details (10) 2. WHERE you will work (10) 3. WHY you are going? (personal call & needs of the people) (10) 4. WHAT you plan to do? (Strategies & perceived open doors) (15) 5. HOW you will get there & live (travel arrangements & financial costs) (15) 6. WHEN will you be going? (Calendar details for language learning & min) (10) 7. Invitation to partner with this ministry (20) WHY should I support you? What recommendations do you have? HOW can I support you what are your needs? 8. Creativity (media, attention, etc.) (10) Total Page11
Reading Assignments I have read % of the assigned readings. Assigned readings were: Bruchko All Steffen chapters 1, 3-8 Shadrach Sections I-VI Missionary Biography of your choice: Signed, Page12