Courses

Provides an opportunity for students to engage critically with emerging issues, debates, and developments within a specific academic discipline. Students will explore contemporary topics that shape the Church’s witness, theological reflection, and vocational practice in today’s world. Emphasis is placed on integrating biblical and theological perspectives with scholarly inquiry, fostering spiritual formation, and cultivating leadership rooted in humility and social responsibility. The course is designed to develop advanced research and communication skills, interdisciplinary thinking, and a deeper awareness of the student’s role as a reflective practitioner within the global Christian community.

Advanced study of the theology and practice of disciple formation in contemporary contexts. This course examines the holistic process of making and strengthening disciples, integrating evangelism, spiritual formation, ecclesial life, and cultural engagement. Emphases vary by offering and may include theological foundations, historical models, contextual strategies, and contemporary challenges. Repeatable for credit with different focus.

A study of major missiological themes throughout the history of the global expansion of the church, with special emphasis on the modern Protestant missionary movement. Writings of exemplary mission historians will be examined for their contribution to our understanding of contemporary trends in world mission practice and strategy. Attention will be given to the missionary encounter with culture and society in its various historical contexts.

An examination of evangelism throughout the history of the Church. Special attention is given to particular Christian movements and personalities, highlighting contributions to gospel proclamation and witness of the Church in word and deed. Application of selected practices are considered for evangelism in contexts today.

Advanced study of intercultural engagement within Christian theology and ministry. This course examines the theological, relational, and social dynamics of interaction across cultural differences in local and global contexts. Emphases vary by offering and may include cultural theory, communication patterns, power dynamics, migration, contextualization, and ecclesial life in multicultural settings. Repeatable for credit with different focus.

Provides supervised teaching experience in missions and evangelism within higher education contexts. Integrates adult learning theory, course design, instructional methods, and evaluation strategies to prepare students for theological and missiological teaching. Guides development of a syllabus, learning objectives, course teaching plan, and creative instructional exercises while cultivating reflective teaching practice. Includes classroom observation, student feedback analysis, and self-evaluation to foster pedagogical competence, professional integrity, and vocational discernment in academic ministry settings.

Examines theological, philosophical, and anthropological foundations of leadership and culture in global Christian contexts. Integrates biblical reflection, leadership theory, and cultural analysis to evaluate leadership development across diverse social, political, and economic systems. Explores intercultural dynamics, power structures, and organizational practice while cultivating critical self-reflection and spiritual formation for ministry leadership. Applies major leadership theories to case studies of failed and effective leadership in order to develop culturally informed, theologically grounded approaches to leadership in multicultural and missional settings.

Advanced study of the history of Christian mission in global perspective. This course examines the development of Christian expansion across cultures, regions, and eras, attending to theological motivations, intercultural encounters, indigenous movements, and the social implications of mission. Offerings may focus on particular periods, regions, movements, or themes. Repeatable for credit with different focus.

An introduction to the academic discipline of missiology and principles of missiological research and writing. It includes an overview of classical and current publications in the field and an examination of the integrative relationship between theology, history, and the social sciences in Christian mission. Students will also receive an orientation to the TEDS PhD/Theology and Culture study program.