Lynnwood, WA S18
Spring 2018
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Perspectives will be hosted at Northwest Church on Mondays from 6:30 - 9:30pm, beginning January 8, 2018.
Credit is available through Excelsior College.
Family Discount of $25 for the second member of the same family.
A limited number of partial scholarships is available. Contact Trish King at for more information.
Not sure if Perspectives is for you? Sign up to visit Lessons 1 and 2 for free by choosing "First Night Free" on the Class Pricing link to the right.
We need you there! Why? Because great things happen when our hearts align around God's global purpose. Perspectives will take you on a journey of exploration through four sections—Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic—all rich with insight into God’s global purposes:
Biblical. More than a few familiar Bible verses, fully a third of the class talks about God’s purposes from cover to cover—things like: - reaching all peoples;
- God’s glory;
- the Kingdom of God;
- Jesus, the Lord of the nations;
- and events in Acts that freed the Gospel to grow in cultures worldwide from Afghani to Zulu!
Historical. This section examines how the message spread organically from Jerusalem to the world and the amazing people that made it possible. How has our understanding of God's worldwide purposes changed over time, bringing us today to our sharpest focus ever on completing the task?
Cultural. Culture goes much deeper than skin deep. While it begins with what we can see, it encompasses the most basic assumptions -- many of which we’re largely unaware. How do we communicate God’s timeless message to people whose thinking and language is so different from our own?
Strategic. How do we approach a world of need through holistic Christian development? What does it look like when the Christian faith makes itself at home in a radically different culture from ours? And—not least—what does Perspectives mean for our lives? God has a "world-sized" role for each of us in His global purpose, wherever we live and whatever we do.
Got questions? Check out the Perspectives FAQs!
Perspectives can be taken at 3 levels: Key Reading, Certificate, and Credit.
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Certificate*
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Key Reading
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Credit**
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Homework Time
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7
hours of reading per week
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3-5
hours of reading per week
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8
hours of reading per week
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Assignments
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Weekly
10-question review assignment
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5 'Personal Reflections’
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1
research project due at course end
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No
written homework
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5
'Personal Reflections' assigned during the course
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Mid-term
and final exam
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Integrative
project
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Regular
weekly assignments
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Cost
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$275
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$275
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$525
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*The Certificate level is recommended for students to get the full impact of the course and be kept accountable to read, as 90% of the course is in the text. Further, several mission sending agencies, committees, etc. require this level for candidacy; as does Perspectives for those wanting to coordinate a class in the future.
**Credit comes through Excelsior College. Cost: $525.00
Perspectives alumni are welcome and encouraged to register! ACSI credits are also available.
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Registration & Orientation
Registration & Orientation
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Instructor
Darrell Dorr
Frontier Ventures, Lynnwood WA
Darrell Dorr was Perspectives Director 1980-1982 and an associate editor of the first edition of the Perspectives Reader. He has been a missionary with Frontier Ventures since 1980, specializing in communications, and has been on assignment with various other organizations and projects, including Frontiers, Operation World, the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.
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Date: Monday, January 8, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 1
The Living God is a Missionary God
God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.
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Instructor
Matthew Ellison
Sixteen:Fifteen, Albuquerque NM
Matthew was rescued by Jesus when he was twenty-three. Shortly after, he found himself in Ghana, West Africa on the first of what would be many ventures to the mission field. That first trip, Matthew says, "ruined me for anything less than a life lived for God's global purpose." In 1993 he began serving at Calvary of Albuquerque, in New Mexico, where he attended and graduated from their School of Ministry. He worked as the missions pastor at Calvary for nine years, developing and launching a strategic church-wide missions ministry. There he founded LifeLine Missions, an international short-term mission ministry that gave thousands across the country the opportunity to experience the mission field firsthand. Through these ministry opportunities he became extensively involved in short and long-term mission endeavors in countries around the world.
Now, he devotes his time to serving local churches across the country by coaching them in strategically focused missions and helping them to discover and use their unique gifts in partnership with others to make Christ known among all nations. Matthew is the President and co-founder of Sixteen:Fifteen, and currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Renee, and their three children, Matthew, Caleigh, and Landin. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, January 15, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 2
The Story of His Glory
Exploring God's purpose for Himself: How God has been steadily unfolding a plan throughout all nations and generations to bring about His greater glory, ultimately drawing to Himself the worship of all the peoples. Passion and prayer for God's glory.
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Instructor
Werner Mischke
Mission ONE, Phoenix AZ
Werner is director of training ministries for Mission ONE, a partnership ministry he has served since 1992. He is a teacher, designer, blogger, and mission curriculum producer.
Werner’s missions mobilization experience is two-fold:
1. Producer of Operation WorldView, an introductory missions curriculum inspired by the Perspectives course for small groups. Operation WorldView has been by some 700 churches in America, Canada and other nations. Werner has often taught “The Story of His Glory”—the biblical component of Operation WorldView—as Lesson 2 in the Perspectives course.
2. Editor/designer of The Beauty of Partnership—a missional learning journey to equip followers of Christ for healthy cross-cultural partnerships—to bring hope to the peoples of the world.
Werner has a special relationship with Mission ONE’s partner in the Middle East—where Arab nationals are building a network of house churches through holistic ministry among various Muslim peoples.
Werner’s partnership experience in the Middle Eastern has led him into a pursuit of understanding the pivotal cultural value of honor and shame in the Bible—and in Eastern cultures.
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Class Info
Date: Monday, January 22, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 3
Your Kingdom Come
Exploring God's purpose regarding evil: How God has accomplished a defeat of evil powers in order to open a season of history in which the nations can freely follow Christ. The kingdom of God as the destiny of all history. Christ's mission seeks a hindering of evil to bring about a sign of the coming peace of the kingdom of God. Our prayers contend with evil in order to bring about the transformation of society with Christ's kingdom in view.
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Instructor
Lynne Ellis Gray
Serve the World Ministries, Woodinville WA
Dr. Lynne Ellis-Gray is passionate about being an adoptive mom, pastor, catalyzer of people and resources for the kingdom, partnership builder, and social justice advocate. After spending 22 years as a mission's pastor at Overlake Christian church (and 35 years on church staffs), she is equipping individuals, churches and non-profits to strategically and intentionally live out their unique calling for the kingdom. She founded Ellis Gray Coaching and Consulting to empower missional living. Beside teaching this lesson, Lynne has served as coordinator and host church, believing deeply in the ministry of Perspectives. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, January 29, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 4
Mandate for the Nations
Jesus shows great strategic interest in Gentiles; wise strategic focus by initiating a global mission on a few disciples among the Hebrew people. The Great Commission and the ways of God's sending in relational power. Dealing with the ideas of pluralism (all religions the same) and universalism (all persons saved).
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Instructor
Robroy Ranger
Superintendent Oregon Free Methodist, Vancouver WA
Robroy Ranger is an Australian who is the Superintendent for the Oregon conference of the Free Methodist Church. Their mission is to become a multicultural group UNITED around JESUS to ignite a SPIRIT-fueled movement.
His primary passion is to breathe Christ in the world and set people free. As well as leading Redmond AG, he has lead Business As Mission projects, which are sources for amazing “God stories”.
He will draw from his many and varied experiences around the world - from singing for the Queen of England to being in the mud with children in Haiti. He is an innovative presenter clearly communicating the gospel with history, accuracy of context, and fun.
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Class Info
Date: Monday, February 5, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 5
Unleashing the Gospel
The first followers of Jesus: obedient in costly, foundational ways. The climactic act of the book of Acts is the freeing of the gospel to be followed by Gentiles without Jewish traditions as a requirement. A foundational act of God which speaks to the situations where the gospel is hindered today. Strategic suffering and apostolic passion.
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Instructor
Colleen Wong
Deoworks , West Hills CA
Colleen is currently on staff with Deoworks as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Platforms, with a focus on national leadership development. Deoworks is a Gospel-centered consulting non-profit company connecting the body of Christ and accelerating the ministry of the Kingdom of God, seeking to incubate ideas to contribute the furthering of the Kingdom. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, February 12, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 6
The Expansion of the Christian Movement
The story of God's purpose continues relentlessly from Abraham's day until the present moment. An overview of the largest and the longest-running movement ever in history—the world Christian movement. How the gospel surged through the peoples and places of the world. Important insights for our own day.
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Instructor
Todd Johnson
, South Hamilton MA
Todd M. Johnson is Eva B. and Paul E. Toms Distinguished Professor of Mission and Global Christianity and co-Director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Johnson is visiting Research Fellow at Boston University’s Institute for Culture, Religion and World Affairs leading a research project on international religious demography. He is co-editor of the Atlas of Global Christianity (Edinburgh University Press) and co-author of the World Christian Encyclopedia (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed, 3rd ed.) and World Christian Trends (William Carey Library). He is editor of the World Christian Database (Brill) and co-editor of the World Religion Database (Brill). b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, February 19, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 7
Eras of Mission History
The greatest explosion of growth ever has taken place in last 200 years in three "bursts" of activity. Why we could be in the final era of missions. The global harvest force comprised increasingly of non-Western missionaries.
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Instructor
Lance J. Kamara
Monmouth OR
Lance J. Kamara spent over fifteen years as a literacy consultant in West Africa. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, February 26, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 8
Pioneers of the World Christian Movement
Today we anchor the race by continuing what others have begun. It's a day of finishing. All the more reason to learn the wisdom and the heart of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in earlier generations. Reading the writings of William Carey and other leaders to discern what these people have left to us. Exploring the contribution of women in missions throughout the centuries.
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Instructor
Darrell Dorr
Frontier Ventures, Lynnwood WA
Darrell Dorr was Perspectives Director 1980-1982 and an associate editor of the first edition of the Perspectives Reader. He has been a missionary with Frontier Ventures since 1980, specializing in communications, and has been on assignment with various other organizations and projects, including Frontiers, Operation World, the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, March 5, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 9
The Task Remaining
God's pressed His purpose forward until the present hour of amazing opportunity. Understanding the concept of "unreached peoples" to assess the remaining task. Recognizing the imbalance of mission resources shapes strategic priorities. The basic minimal missiological achievement in every people group opens the way for working with God against every kind of evil so that the gospel of the kingdom is declared and displayed with clarity and power. The need and opportunity of urban mission.
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Instructor
Richard Nakamura
Japanese Diaspora Ministries, Fort Worth TX
Richard Nakamura was born and raised in a Buddhist home in Seattle, WA. At the age of 19 (1979), Richard received Christ through the influence of his older brother, who converted a year earlier. Richard joined SEND International in 1988 and served as a church planter in Japan until 2011. He is now doing a Japanese Diaspora Ministry outreach out of Fort Worth, TX. through SEND International and RJC (Reaching Japanese for Christ). b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, March 12, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 10
How Shall They Hear?
Culture and intercultural communication of the gospel. Communicating the gospel with relevance at the worldview level helps avoid syncretism (blending of cultural error with God?s truth) and also enables powerful movements of the gospel. Sensitive missionaries will look for ways that God has preserved or prepared people to hear the gospel, often finding redemptive analogies for God's truth.
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Instructor
Bill Clark
Lynnwood WA
Bill Clark is currently the NW Director of Peace Catalyst International and an affiliate professor at Trinity Lutheran College. He and his wife Julie started their journey in mission in China where they lived 10 years mostly in the Muslim Northwest. He loves to listen to people’s stories, and wrote his dissertation on Uighur family change. Later they moved to the former Soviet Union and had a first hand view on the emerging church planting movements of the post-Soviet era. Since moving back to the USA in 2009 they have been active in church leadership, and peacemaking with the Muslim peoples of the Puget Sound region of Washington. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, March 19, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 11
Building Bridges of Love
The incarnation as a model of missionary humility. How missionaries can enter appropriate roles in order to form relationships of trust and respect to develop a sense of belonging, and thus to communicate with credibility for understanding. Explore the intricacy of identification in another culture. Explore the even greater complexity of presenting identity with integrity in a globalized, terrorized, pluralized world. Recognizing the dynamics of social structure in order to initiate growing movements of ongoing communication throughout the society.
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Instructor
Carlos Calderón
Partners, Spokane WA
Born in Central America, grew up during a civil war time, came to faith in Jesus with some other 30 friends in the neighborhood, and became active in evangelism, eventually joined a church and was impacted by the missionary call while at the university. Came to the USA for post-grad education and moved to a Muslim country. Now cooperates with indigenous movement work in some 60 countries in the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist world, consistently resulting in thousands of decisions for Christ, and national indigenous church planting movements. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, March 26, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 13
The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches
Look beyond institutional features of churches to understand churches as dynamic movements of Christ Himself being followed. Such a view of churches as organic, living things opens up the practicality of seeing them multiply rapidly as movements and also flourish in society bearing the fruit of social transformation. Churches as counter-communities, acting as salt and light, bringing change to their cultures. How movements multiply by connecting with entire families and larger social structures.
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Instructor
Edward Aw
Tsunami Unleashed, Gilbert AZ
Ed and Rachel have two teenage sons and live in Arizona.
Their ministry, Tsunami Unleashed, focuses on helping bring clarity to believers on how to live purpose "full" lives for Jesus. In addition, they provide a simple path to exponential discipleship, leadership, and church reproduction.
Currently, the Lord has them building Tsunami Unleashed. The vision is to see 1 billion people across the global mobilized, equipped and impacted for Jesus. This will leverage the technological infrastructure that exists (everything internet) in an effective way that draws people from the cold medium of the web into hot relationship with believers (in-person) and Jesus.
It will require an open-handed approach to all interactions and resources. They don't care who gets credit as long as the work is done giving glory to God through loving obedience to Jesus Christ. They seek to partner with any believer or organization who desires to do "something" for the Lord, not matter how small. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, April 9, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 12
Christian Community Development
A survey of world need. Dynamic balance of evangelism and social action. Hope for significant transformation as a sign of Christ's Lordship by Christian community development. Exploring the charge that missionaries destroy instead of serve cultures. Healing the wounds of the world between the peoples.
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Instructor
Karen Stoufer
Christian Veterinary Mission, Wormleysburg PA
Dr. Karen Stoufer served with her family in Nepal for 13 years in rural community development, animal health training and women's empowerment with the United Mission to Nepal and World Concern/CVM. She returned to serve as Director of Training and Asia programs for Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) based in Seattle WA. She has a special interest in Missionary Kids (TCKs) and fostering of refugee teens. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, April 16, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 14
Pioneer Church Planting
The hope of planting churches among unreached peoples. How the breakthrough of the gospel in an unreached people requires that the gospel be "de-Westernized". The difference of contextualizing the message, the messenger and the movement. Distinguish and appreciate people movements, church planting movements and insider movements.
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Instructor
Paul Watson
Contagious Disciple Making, Beaverton OR
Paul grew up on an airplane.
Not really, but he felt like it! He split his childhood between Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, and Singapore while his parents, David and Jan Watson, planted churches as career missionaries with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Since the day God called Paul into full-time ministry, he has traveled over 200,000 miles training disciple-making teams in the UK, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Lebanon, Egypt, Germany, and all over the United States.
From January 1, 2012, through August 15,2015, Paul served as director of Cityteam’s Rescue and Recovery Center in downtown Portland, OR. Feeding the homeless while helping alcoholics discover sobriety and Jesus taught him incredible lessons about putting feet to faith and loving those who don’t love themselves.
Paul left his role at Cityteam and founded Contagious Disciple Making (http://www.contagiousdisciplemaking.com) to focus on catalyzing Disciple Making Movements among the unreached and under-reached peoples in the Cascadia Corridor (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska.)
Paul and his family are active members at Westside Community Church in Aloha, OR. Paul and his wife, Christi, lead a growth group that meets in their home on Sunday evenings. Paul is incredibly excited by his pastor’s desire to see 10,000 churches planted in the Pacific Northwest and wants to use his experiences to help his pastor and other ministry leaders plant churches among people who would not normally attend the typical church in North America.
Paul blogs at http://www.pauldwatson.com and http://www.contagiousdisciplemaking.com. He is the host of American Church Stories (http://www.americanchurchstories.com). He is published in ‘Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, 4th Edition.’ He co-authored Contagious Disciple Making: Leading Others On a Journey of Discovery with his father, David Watson.
You can reach Paul at pwatson@contagiousdisciplemaking.com. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, April 23, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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Lesson 15
World Christian Discipleship
What it means to integrate life for Christ's global purpose as a "'World Christian". Into the great story for His glory: a Person-driven life as a way of. pursuing a purpose-driven life. The basic practices of world Christians: going, sending, welcoming and mobilizing. The essential disciplines of World Christian discipleship: community, giving, praying and learning. Simplifying your lifestyle as if in "war-time". Exploring the practical ways of pursuing God's purpose. Business and mission. Short-term mission. Welcoming international visitors. Wisdom in working with local churches and in partnership with Christians in different parts of the world.
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Instructor
Bill MacLeod
MissionConnexion, Sun City West AZ
Bill MacLeod is the Director of MissionConnexion which he founded in 2001 during his fifteen years as a missions pastor in Portland. He has been a mobilizer for over 40 years dedicating his life to city-wide people movements while serving in an evangelistic organization, a national men's movement, a local church as missions pastor, and as founder/executive director of a regional church-missions-mobilizing effort. b
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Class Info
Date: Monday, April 30, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
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