Intro-to-Mission Course Evaluations

No "one-course-fits-all" exists for churches and fellowships to utilize, therefore, we've provided a brief review of the strengths and limitations for each of the following popular courses. PERSPECTIVES ON THE WORLD CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT (Extension Study Program) Introducing the Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic dimensions of world mission. Over 60 denominations and mission agencies endorse Perspectives. Provides 90-150 hours of study. Undergraduate and graduate credit available at various U.S. schools. Excellent for all believers, but especially helpful for missionary candidates, missions committees, church leaders and pastors. Fifteen different professors, each an expert in his/her own field (over 700 nationwide) Over 180 extension sites across the U.S. Spanish Perspectives available on video as well as "Latinized" version of the textbook Also: African American, Korean and South Asian versions of the textbook. Strengths: An unparalleled introduction-to-missions experience due to the extensive and well organized content of the Reader (and it’s dozens of contributors) and it’s study guide. A rich mix of practical insight, vision and passion is provided by fifteen different mission professors from diverse backgrounds in mission. Limitations: If your city is blessed to have a class, Perspectives requires a significant time commitment (especially if it is taken for credit) and it is often held only once a year (sometimes even less) on one particular evening of the week. ETERNAL IMPACT Eternal Impact is a customizable and interactive 10-week study that takes you and your small group or Sunday school class beyond just knowing that God wants to use you and your church. Throughout the course you will explore biblical and modern-day examples of ordinary people who choose to align their lives with God's purpose. Through six strategic roles, Eternal Impact teaches ordinary Christians how to connect in dynamic ministry across the street and around the globe. Leader's pack comes with 10 student workbooks, click here to order additional workbooks in lots of 5. Strengths: Students are led to: 1. evaluate World Christian roles (Intercessor, Giver, Welcomer, Goer, Sender, Connector) 2. list ministry opportunities in their church that involve these roles, where they are connected and at what cultural distance (Jerusalem, Judea/Samaria, Ends of the Earth) and 3. Discover practical ways to express these roles and additional resources for further study. Limitations: Very little on the Biblical Basis of mission. GOD’S HEART FOR THE NATIONS This eight lesson study rips apart the old, traditional understandings of Gods plan and purpose for our lives. In eight lessons, author and global activist, Jeff Lewis, lays bare the heart and mind of God as he combines powerful Bible passages with challenging and provocative questions. Each lesson is followed by a time of meditation (Selah) and a focus on an unreached people group. If you really knew the heart and mind of God, would you dare to follow Him? Strengths: A good study on the Biblical basis of mission. Limitations: Little on either follow-through action steps or discovering the various World Christian roles … but if followed by Eternal Impact (see above) you’d have a winning combination. KAIROS COURSE Formerly called the Condensed World Mission Course, Kairos is a condensation of Jonathan Lewis’s World Mission study (The Perspectives Reader with an outstanding commentary and discussion questions interspersed throughout). The CWMC Reader and Study Guide combination contains eight chapters and covers the four essential areas of mission concern: Biblical, Historical, Cultural & Strategic. Note: This course has become a growing movement and is a strategic tool for the Church around the world to become involved in mission. Strengths: Great for church missions teams (committees) to take as a group, allowing for discussion and applications of the course material. Kairos also contains: the essentials of the Perspectives Course, uses helpful videos to reinforce the study material, “growth point” discussion groups, and an entire class devoted to World Christian roles. It is rapidly being translated into other languages, making it perfect for taking the course overseas to help another ethnic group the church is working with to become involved in reaching the unreached. Limitations: You need a trained coordinator to run the course. The upside is that once you’ve taken the course and have been trained as a coordinator, you can help spread the course in your city and beyond. OPERATION WORLDVIEW Based partially on the life-changing course, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, Operation WorldView introduces the Biblical, Historical, Cultural, and Strategic aspects of world missions. Eight lessons are presented through a live seminar event — or through a video/DVD curriculum. Featuring powerful lessons based on classics such as “The Story of His Glory” and “The Kingdom Strikes Back,” Operation WorldView is perfect for local churches wanting to explore profound truths in Scripture, history and culture — to motivate greater involvement in world missions. Strengths: Very well done Powerpoint and video media presentation (Ee-Tauw! and The Harvest videos are included) and contains many of the powerful truths contained in the Perspectives Course. Limitations: It connects viewers to a strong emphasis on supporting national workers. THE STORY OF THE BIBLE by Bob Sjogren (Formerly called: Unveiled, God's Heart for His People) Eight powerful half-hour sessions on DVD, plus workbooks and leaders guide, unveil the missionary purposes of God throughout the Bible. Outstanding for motivating believers to get serious about God's call to reach every people group with the gospel. Strengths: A very powerful Biblical basis of World Mission course on DVD. Limitations: Doesn’t provide “Where do I go from here?” assistance. VISION FOR THE NATIONS (video curriculum) An eight to thirteen-week introduction to world mission. Modeled after the Perspectives Study Program (see above), VFN introduces the Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic dimensions of mission with a strong emphasis on how to put the vision into action, including a solid people group adoption emphasis. Best suited for mature teens and adults. Ideal for Sunday Schools or cell-groups. Strengths: Modeled after the Perspectives class, VFN walks students through the biblical, historical, cultural and strategic basis of world mission. VFN's Participant's Reader utilizes key articles from Perspectives Reader and each chapter includes class discussion questions as well as Next Steps resource recommendations (updated on the USCWM's web site) to help students recognize key resources and ministries for going further in their World Christian Discipleship. VFN can also be reduced to as few as 8 lessons. Limitations: Created in the 90's and utilizing a few classic videos from the 80's, VFN's videos create a "dated feel" for this curriculum (though most of what is taught is timeless truth). VFN lessons are best taught in 90 minute sessions, making it ideal for home study groups but not so ideal for the typical Sunday School hour. [back to Mission Resource directory]