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Evangelism Differently: In Search of Educational Experiences for Reconceiving Evangelism
Proposal abstract :
One of the significant challenges in teaching evangelism is the students’ negatively preconceived notions about the discipline and helping them to reconceive it in a theologically appropriate manner. Some students walk into class gungho with a rather narrow perspective on evangelism as “soul winning,” some with an acute allergic reaction to anything remotely related to evangelism, perhaps even having written off the enterprise completely, and others with a sense of ambivalence not knowing what to make of it. The primary goals of this project are to identify the common misunderstandings of evangelism and to chart pedagogical strategies that can facilitate students to articulate critical and constructive interpretations of the discipline.
Learning Abstract :
The goal of the project "Evangelism Differently: In Search of Educational Experiences for Reconceiving Evangelism" was to address the challenge of helping students to reconceive evangelism in a way that is theologically informed, ethically responsible, and contextually effective. This goal was pursued through coming to terms with students' perceptions and experiences about evangelism, making available readings that are helpful in assessing the checkered history of evangelism, delivering lectures and offering contents that offer both critical and constructive perspectives on evangelism, and empowering students to select a model of evangelism that is appropriate for their own context of ministry. Throughout the course and especially at the end, I learned that there was a significant shift from suspicion, or even apathy and antagonism, to a deeper understanding and appreciation of evangelism. What proved to be significant in the shift of perspective were the following: one, transparency that helped to reveal the history of effects of evangelism, both life-giving and destructive practices; two, a curriculum that was comprehensive in scope and perspectives; and three, freedom to explore diverse models of evangelism and embracing a model that deeply resonated with them.
One of the significant challenges in teaching evangelism is the students’ negatively preconceived notions about the discipline and helping them to reconceive it in a theologically appropriate manner. Some students walk into class gungho with a rather narrow perspective on evangelism as “soul winning,” some with an acute allergic reaction to anything remotely related to evangelism, perhaps even having written off the enterprise completely, and others with a sense of ambivalence not knowing what to make of it. The primary goals of this project are to identify the common misunderstandings of evangelism and to chart pedagogical strategies that can facilitate students to articulate critical and constructive interpretations of the discipline.
Learning Abstract :
The goal of the project "Evangelism Differently: In Search of Educational Experiences for Reconceiving Evangelism" was to address the challenge of helping students to reconceive evangelism in a way that is theologically informed, ethically responsible, and contextually effective. This goal was pursued through coming to terms with students' perceptions and experiences about evangelism, making available readings that are helpful in assessing the checkered history of evangelism, delivering lectures and offering contents that offer both critical and constructive perspectives on evangelism, and empowering students to select a model of evangelism that is appropriate for their own context of ministry. Throughout the course and especially at the end, I learned that there was a significant shift from suspicion, or even apathy and antagonism, to a deeper understanding and appreciation of evangelism. What proved to be significant in the shift of perspective were the following: one, transparency that helped to reveal the history of effects of evangelism, both life-giving and destructive practices; two, a curriculum that was comprehensive in scope and perspectives; and three, freedom to explore diverse models of evangelism and embracing a model that deeply resonated with them.