COS 513—Our Mission from God: Transforming Agent 

The mission of the church is to serve God and neighbor by proclaiming the gospel

for the redemption of the world. Redemption is God’s holy activity that transforms

individuals, societies, and all of life. When faithful to its mission, the church serves

as an agent of God’s transforming redemption. Based upon this understanding of the

nature of the church and its mission, this course seeks to help pastors gain theological

understanding and practical ministry skills for leading congregations to carry out

the mission of the church as God’s agents of transformation. 

Objectives:

1. Development of a biblical and theological framework for Christian mission

2. Consideration of the Wesleyan understanding of personal piety and social

holiness

3. Examination of unjust social realities—such as racism, sexism, and

classism—that impact society and thus impact the mission of the church

4. Exploration of the growing influence of social, economic, and political

globalization in the world and its implications for the mission of the church

5. Exposure to United Methodist ecumenical, interreligious, and community

programs that model effective social transformation in the spirit of the gospel

6. Analysis of the context of ministry in local congregations for the development

of strategies and leadership skills for the transforming mission of the church 
 
 

COS 513 - Our Mission from God: Transforming Agent

Text Books - 

Recommended:  

1) Theodore W. Jennings, Jr. - Good News to the Poor: John Wesley’sEvangelical Economics (Abingdon Press, 1990; ISBN 9780687155286)  

2) John B. Cobb, Jr. - Progressive Christians Speak: A Different Voice on Faith and Politics (Westminster John Knox Press, 2003; ISBN 0664225896)  

3) Peter John Storey – With God in the Crucible: Preaching Costly Discipleship (Abingdon Press, 2002; ISBN 9780687052530)  

4) Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi – Mission: An Essential Guide (Abingdon Press, 1999; ISBN 9780687054725)  
 

Supplementary:  

1) Philip Jenkins – The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2003; ISBN 0195168917)  

2) Jenkins article from Atlantic Monthly  

3) Tex Sample – Hard Living People & Mainstream Churches (Abingdon Press, 1993; ISBN 9780687179312)  

4) Carlyle Fielding Steward III, editor - Growing the African American Church (Abingdon Press, 2006; ISBN 9780687498390)  

5) David Chidester – Christianity: A Global History (Harper San Francisco, 2001; ISBN 0062517708)  
 
 

Pre-Homework:

      Select two of the books for required reading and write a 3-5 page book report on each. During class, the group of students who read each of the four books will work together to create a presentation of each book to the class.