An Introduction to Post-Christian Ministry
Jan/Feb 2018

Location:

Course Description:

In our increasingly post-Christian country, atheism, agnosticism, and a pro-spirituality that is anti-Christianity perspective are on the rise. Much like Western Europe and Canada, the United States has become a more challenging mission field where Christianity seems to be more a part of our history than our future. Often described as judgmental, hypocritical, homophobic, and politically incorrect, Christians seem to have lost the ability to influence our culture as we have in the past.

Ironically, it is in this context that Christians who lead in the church, the non-profit sector, in education, in the arts, or in business can have the greatest impact. With an emphasis on serving and creating a community on mission, ideas such as “Come as you are, but don’t stay that way,” “creating the church out of the culture,” and “belonging before believing” enable us to become more effective missionaries.

Course Outcomes:

1. Discover the mission of God within the Scriptures.

2. Delineate the ways to create a community which includes and disciples those who are without faith.

3. Identify methods for effectively engaging the post-Christian, skeptical, and unchurched cities in which we live.

4. Discover and develop personal areas for improvement in intercultural communication and conflict resolution as part of creating a diverse community.

5. Create a plan for casting vision, equipping, and empowering Christ-followers for missional engagement in their world.

Textbooks Include:

• Eric Bryant, Not Like Me: A Field Guide to Influencing a Diverse World
• John Burke, No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come As You Are Culture in the Church
• David Ferguson and Alan Hirsch, On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church

Leading a Missional Organization

Intensive: Aug/Sept 2018

Course Description:
Ministry remains a marathon rather than a sprint. This course will help you build the character and the foundation necessary to experience long-lasting personal transformation and create a plan for transforming others. Jesus gave us a great example of how to do this. Knowing who He was, where He came from, and where He was going, Jesus chose to serve by washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:3-4).

Along the same lines, you will discover your identity, core values, calling, and your path towards personal growth and making disciples of people in a post-Christian culture.

Course Outcomes:
At the end of this course the student should be able to:

1. Understand personal strengths and weaknesses.

2. Discern one’s calling and vision for life and ministry.

3. Discover and develop personal areas for improvement and growth.

4. Create a plan for helping those we are reaching and disciplining discover their uniqueness and pathway towards spiritual vitality.

Course Objectives:

1. The student will learn how to determine his or her ministry “sweet spot.”

2. The student will learn the importance and his or her most effective pathway for recalibrating and taking time for rejuvenation.

3. The student will learn their unique voice and how to help others find theirs.

4. The student will discover ways to disciple those who are reached in a post-Christian context including those without any Christian background.

Textbooks Include:

• Eric Bryant, A Fruitful Life: Becoming Who You Were Created to Be
• John Burke, Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended
• Lombardo and Eichinger, The Leadership Machine: Architecture to Develop Leaders for Any Future
• Erwin McManus, Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul

 Missional Innovation

Aug 24 -26 2017
Gateway Church – South, Austin TX

Course Description: 

God, the Creator of the Universe, is an innovative God. Throughout the Scriptures, we see the Lord guiding people into new ways of serving Him and serving others.

Innovating has been a common practice for God. In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” In this way, the Lord has organized and sustained a culture of innovation. However, even at the time of Creation, God brought order in the midst of the chaos.

In a world in which the church seems to be losing her influence and pastors struggle to make a difference among the unchurched, the de-churched, and those who are anti-church, pastoral leaders need to adopt a more innovative approach toward ministry. The younger generations will continue to fall away and eventually forget the faith of their parents and grandparents unless men and women of faith choose to become leaders who develop and demonstrate the internal, relational, and future-oriented skills required for creating and sustaining a culture of innovation.

God’s heart for every nation, people group and tribe means His message of faith, love, and hope should be communicated in light of the context.

Course Outcomes:

At the end of this course the student should be able to:

1. Understand the innovative approach God employs in His pursuit of humanity and the advancement of His Kingdom.
2. Discern the situations in which innovation becomes necessary and the sources of ideas for introducing change.
3. Identify methods for implementing innovation and the process for evaluation.
4. Determine the skills necessary for creating a culture of innovation.
5. Create a plan for effective evangelism and discipleship of one’s ministry context.

Textbooks Include:

• Roland Allen, The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church
• John Burke, Unshockable Love: How Jesus Changes the World through Imperfect People
• Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had In Mind

Registration has expired - please contact us with any questions at info@gatewayleaders.com

COURSE REGISTRATION

Certificate Information

• Masters of Arts in Ministry Practice
• Masters of Arts in Transformational Leadership