Chaplain Evangelism and Discipleship – CHPL 655

Course Description

This course will focus on the biblical imperative of evangelism and various methods of witnessing in the pluralistic cultures in which chaplains serve. Particular emphasis will be given to wisely sharing the Gospel in military, healthcare, and community settings. Additionally, attention will be given to evangelism follow-up, discipleship, and scripture memorization. This course is taught online and in residence.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Evangelical chaplains need to be prepared to share the Gospel in secular and pluralistic settings to which they are called. Every chaplain needs to be fully prepared to evangelize and make disciples within the culture to which they are called.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

It is imperative to articulate one's theology of discipleship based on the Scriptures. The paper will be rooted in Scripture and supported with sound biblical interpretation and analysis. The paper should be focused on God’s plan and purpose to make disciples. The paper will be no longer than 1,250–1,500 words. (CLO's: A, B, D).

One's theology of evangelism is built upon the Scriptures. The paper will be rooted in Scripture and supported with sound biblical interpretation and analysis. The paper should be focused on God’s plan and purpose of evangelism. The paper will be no longer than 1,250–1,500 words (CLO's: A, B, C).

A testimony should reflect upon God’s work in bringing someone to salvation. The  paper will, encompass scriptural principles salvation testimony. The  testimony should reflect three distinct “phases”: Life before Christ, Conversion, and your new life in Christ. The paper will be no longer than 1,250–1,500 words (CLO's: A, B, C, D).

The student will write of his/her efforts to share the Gospel with an interested unbeliever. The best way to learn how to evangelize is to do it. Therefore, each student should be praying for opportunities to share their faith with others and being attentive to God’s leading. All encounters must be from the current semester.

To receive full credit, the student must show through the report that the individual was brought to a point of decision. Specifically, this means you must demonstrate intentionality in reference to presenting Christ. The individual’s response is not the issue, rather it is your intentional obedience to the Holy Spirit in calling people to a decision. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and demonstrate a servant’s heart. Each paper will be 2-3 pages. (CLO's: A, B, C, D, E).

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompts for each Discussion. Each reply must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 300 words. (CLO's: A, B, C, D, E, F).

Students interact with ministerial practitioners and academicians through various textbooks. The paper will include critical evaluation of the assigned text, consisting of a summary, critique, and application. The summary must focus on the main ideas and significant themes in the book, as well as an account of the author’s overall purpose in writing. The summary should not exceed 1 page in length. The critique section must contain a well-thought-out critical interaction with the author’s thesis and the main points of the argument he presents in the book. The critique must present the strengths and weaknesses, as well as an overall evaluation of the book. The critique should be no less than 2 pages. The application section of the paper should address how you will apply the concepts learned from the text to your specific ministry context (i.e. Military Chaplain, Hospital Chaplain, Community Chaplain, etc.). The application section should be no less than 1 page in length. The paper must be accomplished in Turabian footnote citation style.

In addition to these requirements, the paper must have a proper introduction and conclusion and follow the structure of a standard academic essay (Title page, Introduction, summary, critique, application, conclusion, Bibliography). The paper will be no longer than 5 pages (CLO's: A, B, D).

A personal philosophy of evangelism details how one thinks about evangelism in pluralistic and secular chaplain ministry settings. The  paper will support the philosophy, using Scripture and scriptural principles. Remember, your philosophy is specific to your ministry context. This should reflect the incarnational aspect of your ministry and be rooted in your Theology. The paper will be no longer than 800–1,000 (CLO's: A, B, C, E).

Leading discipleship groups is instructive and formative. The student will write three reports detailing his/her discipleship group. The intent is for each student to lead, or co-lead, a ministry group devoted to discipleship. Each report will detail different aspects of the group. (CLO's: A, B, D).

One's personal philosophy of discipleship defines how to disciple in pluralistic and secular chaplain ministry settings.  The paper will encompass Scripture and scriptural principles to support the philosophy. The  philosophy is specific to your ministry context. This should reflect the incarnational aspect of your ministry and be rooted in your theology. The paper will be no longer than 800–1000 words (CLO's: A, B, C, D).

One's chaplaincy context will determine ministry plans and progress. The student will create a comprehensive chaplain ministry plan for one of the following groups:  children, students, adults, singles, men, women, or support/recovery.   Your project should include the following:

State the characteristics of the group that you are ministering to (macro or micro).

Scriptural Foundations- What passages of Scripture validate and guide this ministry?

Core Ministry Values- From the passages describe key values/ principles that guide the ministry.

Create a Comprehensive (paragraph) and a Concise Mission Statement (sentence).

Create Slogans and Visuals that illustrate the ministry.

Ministry Plan: How are you going to get from point A to point B? (Need detail here) Models/ Diagrams/ Illustrations included- How to develop disciples who develop disciples.

Proposed Team Members/ Personnel- Who and what will the team look like?

Proposed 12 month Ministry Calendar

Proposed 12 month Budget

Scope and Sequence Plan- What topics will you study? (3 year Curriculum plan)

Communication tools and techniques: How are you going to get your message delivered?

Verifiers: Final measurable statement: “By the time a child/student/ adult… has been in this ministry area for three years… How will you know you have been successful? Numbers/ percentages/ ratios…

The paper will be 2,000–2,400 words. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F).