Module THMN40330: Mission and Ministry in the Acts of the Apostles

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN40330: Mission and Ministry in the Acts of the Apostles

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• a systematic and critical study of the Book of Acts and of the ways in which the text has informed and continues to inform the mission and ministry of the church.

Content

• The major themes and issues to be explored will include:
• A general introduction to Acts: its genre; origins and purpose.
• The influence of Acts upon contemporary mission and ministry
• Issues in contemporary interpretation
• The apostolic preaching: lessons of content and method
• Christian initiation in Acts
• The role and gift of the Spirit in mission
• Patterns of ministry in the early church
• Questions of vision and strategy
• Acts as an early Christian apologetic
• Role models for ministers: the study of character in Acts
• Acts and models of the Church

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module students will have gained or developed:
• A systematic knowledge of the Book of Acts with the tradition of interpretation within the Christian church including contemporary scholarship which will act as a foundation for teaching and further study.
• A critical appreciation of models of mission and ministry demonstrated in Acts both in respect of their historical and social contexts and their place within the Christian tradition.

• The ability to reflect upon and plan for the development of mission and ministry in complex and unpredictable contexts in a way which demonstrate a critical awareness of the biblical tradition

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The course will be a combination of 30 hours of research based lectures and student led seminars and discussions, based on extensive primary and secondary reading, included in two periods of residence in Durham. In preparation for the seminars students will be expected to examine in detail a section of Acts and undertake secondary reading, research and reflection around the text or a related theme. Study of the text in the original Greek will be encouraged but not required.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two formative assessments: a 2,500-word exegesis and a student-led seminar preparatory to the summative essay. Feedback to students will comprise dialogue in seminars, and written feedback on formative work. Staff will also be available for individual consultation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University