Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Unit Description

The unit commences with an introduction to the socio-economic and political situations which make community development, integral mission and holistic ministry an essential part of Christian mission. Particular attention is given to defining the Third-World in terms of the types of societies present and the north-south divide. Trends in relation to poverty and wealth, industrialisation, pollution, energy usage, food consumption and its availability, foreign aid, military expenditure; rights and responsibilities are explored and discussed at length.

The student is introduced to the theoretical principles underpinning integral and holistic ministry and the practical outworking of such principles through a case-study methodology and field trips. Emphasis is given to developing a broad understanding of the different perspectives on poverty, which is considered from a socio-economic, physical, psychological and spiritual point of view. Issues of cause and effect, and perpetuating factors of poverty are explored and processed through a grid of biblical theology.

Structural issues related to poverty and oppression are explored and analysed. Particular attention is given to unjust social structures, institutionalised evil, the effects of colonialism, international and free trade agreements, the international debt crisis, multinational corporations, gender roles, unemployment and under-employment, and conflict, wars and militarisation. The student analyses specific case studies related to these issues and is required to develop a biblical and communal response in conjunction with other class members.

The effects of poverty and unjust structures is explored with respect to the issues they raise for the work of mission and the national church. Problems such as: corruption in the handling of church finances; “rice Christians”; the great wealth gap between missionaries and the people they serve; appropriate lifestyle for the missionary in a poor country; authoritarian leaders and legalism in the national churches; balance of practical service and evangelism for the missionary; degree of missionary involvement in social and political problems; and the place of the prophetic voice in situations of grave injustice and evil examined. The student will debate these issues and seek to determine possible solutions in conjunction with other class members.

The role of individual Christians, Christian communities, and mission organisations in meeting the needs and finding solutions to the problems that result from situations of poverty and injustice are examined and a theology of Christian involvement is explored. Particular attention is given to theology of Christian aid and development and its relation to missionary strategy in general. Different issues are considered including the place of Bible studies and base Christian communities, the role of the church in the development dilemma in relation to poverty and power, and the goals of the poor and empowering the poor.

The student will be exposed to a variety of practical approaches to community development in a Christian setting through field excursions and a case study methodology. He/she is required to evaluate the application of specific responses to particular development issues and determine the effectiveness of such responses. Issues considered will also include the validity and feasibility of community development projects, equipping and motivating approaches, small-scale aid project, and outside organisational involvement.

At the conclusion of the unit, the student is expected to be able to evaluate and plan a basic approach to community development in a particular ministry setting.

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include lectures, tutorials, weekend schools and presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, OHP, DVD, video and audio tape and on-line interaction. Students also learn by class discussion, personal study, preparation of assignments and assessment comments on their work.

Unit offerings

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.