Courses

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.

Focuses on the theology of mission in the Old and New Testaments with special attention to the operation of the Trinity, the missio Dei, the purpose and tasks of mission, church and mission, the nature and necessity of evangelism, historical developments in theology of mission, and current theological issues in Christian mission.

An introduction of the field of sociology and the contributions it makes to the discipline of missiology. Attention will focus on issues such as globalization, new religious movements, gender, social capital, communication and media. Theoretical foundations and methodological questions will be introduced, and practical implications for ministry will be explored.

An introduction to the field of anthropology and the contribution it makes to the discipline of missiology. The seminar encourages participants to develop a model they can use in studying and ministering in specific societies and cultures. Attention is given to a study of the issues involved in cross-cultural communication, contextualization, and social transformation in evangelism and church planting in cross-cultural settings.

Provides doctoral students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and evaluate a supervised professional development activity that integrates academic expertise, vocational calling, and ministry practice. Activities may include teaching, consulting, curriculum development, coaching, pastoral ministry, grant writing, or other approved engagements. Students may propose Trinity-related or external opportunities, and must initiate planning conversations with their program director prior to the practicum semester. Each unit represents approximately 35–40 hours of invested work and may be repeated for credit up to a total of 2 sem. hrs. Credit/No Credit.

An introduction to various research methods in the study of missiology, from qualitative and quantitative empirical methods to theological and historiographic methods. Academic writing, use of library and archival sources, ethics in research and related topics will also be addressed.?NB: To be taken during the first 16 credit hours of the PhD/Theology and Culture program.