This course offers an introduction to missiology and practical theology as academic disciplines, equipping you with a solid understanding of key methodological issues and central tasks in practical theology, and insights into the major trends and challenges facing Christian mission today, preparing you to engage thoughtfully with the evolving landscape of mission and the Church.
Through this course, you will develop the skills to identify and analyse key issues within practical theology, explore the relationship between faith, academic theology, and the Church’s practices, and critically assess the role, opportunities, and challenges faced by Christians and the Church in contemporary mission work. Whether you're preparing for future involvement in mission or church-related work, this course provides tools for meaningful reflection.
The teaching is session-based and amounts to 30 hours of instruction divided between two gatherings, one on campus and one digital.
Knowledge
The students have:
- knowledge of missiology and practical theology as an academic discipline and relevant methodological issues.
- knowledge of central tasks in practical theology.
- knowledge of ecclesiology and ministry tasks.
- knowledge of key trends and issues in Christian mission today.
Skills
The students can:
- identify central issues in the field of practical theology.
- explain the relation between faith, academic theology and the church’s practices.
- identify, analyse, and critically assess issues related to the role, opportunities, and challenges of the Church and Christians in discussions, personal presentations, and potential future work in mission and the Church.
General Competence
The students can:
- use their knowledge to develop good practices within the field of church ministry.
All course requirements and exams are individual and are submitted digitally.
Course requirements:
To receive final assessment, you must:
- Attend the two gatherings and a minimum of 70 % of the lectures (cf. chap. 5.4) *
- Attend two worship services and write a reflection paper based on a template given by the course instructor.
- Be present at a diaconal practice and write a reflection paper based on a template given by the course instructor.
Deadline for submission is given at the start of the semester but notice that the requirements must be fulfilled not later than two weeks before the exam date.
* See the document “Absence and Attendance at Fjellhaug International University College” for more details.
Final Assessment:
| Form of assessment | Duration | Grading scale |
|---|---|---|
| Home Exam | 3 days | A-F |
Final assessment is based on the home exam. The course and home exam will be graded A-E for pass and F for fail.
Some readings are available digitally on the school’s learning management system (LMS) and are marked with *.
Missiology:
Langmead, R. (2014). What Is Missiology? Missiology, 42(1), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091829613480623
*Jenkins, P. (2011). The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. Oxford University Press (3rd ed.), pp. 201-236.
*Kim, E. F. (2012). The Rise of the Global South: The Decline of Western Christendom and the Rise of Majority World Christianity. Wipf and Stock Publishers, pp. 362-425.
*Moreau, A. S. & Corwin, C. R. & McGee, G. B. (2015). Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey (2nd Ed.). Baker Academic, pp. 265-279.
Pocock, M. & Van Rheenen, G. & McConnell, D. (2005). The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Baker Academic, pp. 21-159, 321-348.
*Steffen, T. & Douglas, L. McKinney (2008): Encountering Missionary Life and Work: Preparing for Intercultural Ministry. Baker Academic, pp. 295-319.
Practical Theology:
Hegstad, H. (2013). The Real Church: An Ecclesiology of the Visible. Pickwick Publication, pp. 1-55; 67-125; 142-226 (197 pages).
Osmer, R. R. (2008). Practical Theology: An Introduction. Eerdmans, pp. 1-218.
