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.
KINGDOM EXPANSION 101
Kingdom Expansion 101 is a high-quality, facilitated, online basic missions course that can be taken anywhere in the world. The curriculum provides a biblical and strategic framework to assist both churches and individuals in making informed decisions about their local and global outreach involvement. The material is not only designed to help global outreach teams, but also assists any adult believer as the individual considers his/her response to God’s plan for all the nations.
- Strengths:
• Online allows the participants to do the readings, video viewings and Q&A at their own convenience.
• Participants can interact with each other on the responses and answers that they post online
Emphasis on:
• A biblical perspective for kingdom expansion
• A scriptural analysis for local church involvement in global outreach
• The status of world evangelism
• The major global issues the local church must consider
• Practical applications for you and your church
- Limitations:
• Each week requires at least 4 hours of study time, making it less likely as a study for Sunday Schools and small group studies.
• Online orientation also prevents Sunday School and small group study.
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.
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