Church, Mission and World Christianity (MA / PG Dip)

The All Nations MA in Church, Mission and World Christianity equips students to reflect on their experience with church and mission, and develop awareness of the contemporary importance of World Christianity, to understand how global perspectives are influencing and shaping local forms of church, and develop skills in designing and implementing more appropriate forms of church for local contexts.

Core Modules

These will equip you to study at Masters level through developing advanced study and research skills, establishing a robust theological and biblical basis for missional engagement and giving you a thorough grounding in the field of social and cultural anthropology.

Holistic Learning Foundations

Students are enabled to develop the study, research and reflective skills required to engage in the theological, missiological and research components of the programme. The module encourages the student to think in a holistic, integrated way about their studies and experience across disciplines, and to develop their skills as reflective practitioners and researchers, with a view to applying these throughout the programme.

Biblical and Theological Foundations for Mission

Provides students with biblical and theological foundations for the study of critical issues in mission, equipping them to apply ideas from the disciplines of biblical studies and theology to the options available within the programme. The module encourages students to engage with a broad range of theological perspectives, highlighting those from the majority world, and to become aware of issues of context, power and voice within the field.

Following a consideration of the missional nature of the Bible, it also explores select biblical themes and key texts with a view to enhance students’ biblical understanding of missiology. This enables them to make strong connections between their particular area of interest and its biblical rationale, and also to apply to their own relevant missional context.

Anthropological Foundations for Mission

Provides a theoretical foundation from the perspective of social and cultural anthropology, as well as other related disciplines, preparing you to understand and engage with issues which may arise in cross-cultural situations. The theories and issues covered are a necessary foundation to developing cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity to the complexities of living and working vocationally in, or with members of, other cultures. The module will also encourage reflection on experience, and may challenge previously held understandings of culture and mission practice.

Specialist Module

The core modules are then built upon through a specialist 20-credit module on:

Expressions of Church Worldwide

This module explores the diversity of the church worldwide, with particular reference to the interaction between global movements and local contexts. It examines the historical and theological roots of this diversity, engaging with a range of perspectives to build understanding of the present experience of church worldwide. It also equips students to think reflectively and strategically about appropriate expressions of church for their own context, with reference to the wider background of World Christianity.

Elective Modules

Students then choose from one of the following four 20-credit modules:

Intercultural Worship

The aim of this module is to deepen your understanding of both the theory and practice of intercultural worship. The module will draw specifically on the discipline of ‘Ethnodoxology’ and will enable you to analyse, critique and apply creative and relevant models for arts and worship practice. You will be given practical opportunities to explore worship, arts and liturgy from a variety of cultural backgrounds and examine how local art forms can be used to shape liturgy and worship for intercultural settings. Please note - this module requires in person attendance, due to its practical nature.

Contextual Engagement with Islam

This module explores the diversity of contextual issues related to Christian engagement with Islam from the early years of Islam until the present. It observes theological and missional concerns by highlighting Christian responses to Islam from John of Damascus and Metropolitan Timothy of the Early Middle Ages to current interaction. It also reflects on perspectives of Islamic reformers towards the West and the Christian faith primarily during the periods of colonialism and decolonisation. Attention is also given to various expressions of Islam; the status of women in Islam; contextualisation in the intercultural world; and geo-political issues, and contemporary trends related to current global engagement.

Mission in Europe: Context & Practice

Once characterised as “the Christian continent”, Europe today is on the frontier of World Christianity rather than its centre. Given its diversity of contexts, it is perhaps the most challenging arena for Christian mission in the world today. This module explores both the crucial issues for mission in Britain and Europe today and the practice of contemporary mission that is suitable for that context. You will be equipped not only with a broad knowledge of the key issues but also with the skills to undertake ongoing missiological reflection in your own specific local context.

Contextual Theology: Contemporary Issues

Extends the focus on explicitly contextual theologies by exploring their application to a range of contemporary missiological issues, including identity, globalisation and power, engagement with other faiths, integral mission, spirituality and discipleship. The issues are considered in the context of World Christianity and intercultural dialogue. For each topic you will analyse how the local and regional context shapes the development of contextual theologies, and how those theologies shape the missiological agenda. This module will be of particular interest to students who are engaged in intercultural ministry, and wish to enrich their missional practice through a process of considered theological reflection.

Students will also have an opportunity to audit a third specialist module should they wish to do so from the range of MA modules.

PG Diploma students also complete either the Independent Study Module or Research in Mission: Strategies.

Master’s students then have the option of either:

1. Completing a written dissertation

Allowing students to undertake in-depth research on a specific topic related to Church, Mission and World Christianity through the writing of their dissertation (15,000 words). This provides the opportunity to engage deeply with a subject they are deeply committed to and facilitates the development of skills in research and fieldwork, supported by taught classes and regular interaction with an experienced supervisor.

OR

2. Completing a practice-based project

Providing the opportunity for students to engage in action research within their chosen subject area. It is designed to synthesise the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course and involves designing and implementing a project and presenting their findings through a project portfolio (7,500 words). This research process is supported by taught classes on research skills and regular interaction with an experienced supervisor.

Who is this course for?

Suitable if you are involved in church ministry (both church planters and church leaders) anywhere in the world, are committed to deepening your understanding of what constitutes missional church, and keen to explore World Christianity perspectives. The All Nations Christian College MA in Church, Mission and World Christianity guarantees a rich, stimulating and transformative learning experience together with students from across the globe.