Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

 

MSSN 665 Urban Ministry and Mission

The course focuses on the study of the city as the major center of mission and ministry in the 21st century. It examines the process of secularization, the complex human interaction in the city and how the pastor and his church can minister in the urban environment. Special emphasis will be given to a balanced evangelistic program that will lead to lifelong disciples and church planting.

Units: 3

WHO NEEDS THIS COURSE?

Graduate students:

  • MMin
  • MDiv

This course may also be taken by

  • Pastors for continuing education
  • Pastors as non-degree course for professional development
  • DMiss/DIS students as mission prerequisites
  • Graduate students of other schools as transfer credit

TIME INVESTMENT

A minimum of 18 hours/week for approximately 2 months

 

COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  1. Examine the dynamic growth of the modern city in Asia.
  2. Articulate a biblical Adventist view of the city.
  3. Analyze the sociological complexity of modern cities.
  4. Explain the role of demographic and sociological information to ministry.
  5. Discuss how the SDA church can survive and prosper in the city.
  6. Outline the importance of immigration to the shaping of urban ministry.
  7. Apply the theology of Sabbath and Prophecy to the urban setting.
  8. Develop a research based urban mission and ministry strategy.

 

TOPICS TO COVER

Week 1

Introduction to Mission in the City
Week 2

Can Anything Good Come out of the City?
Week 3

The Culture of Modern Cities
Week 4

Growing Spirituality in the City
Week 5

Immigration to the Cities
Week 6

The Mosaic of Modern Cities
Week 7

Growing Community Through Social Media
Week 8

Case Studies of Urban Mission
Week 9

Case Studies of Urban Mission

      

 

COURSE FACILITATOR

 

ERMELA TINA DIZON, MAMin-ICS, DIS (CANDIDATE)

Ermela (Maila) Dizon comes from the Philippines. She has been a guest teacher of the Theological Seminary at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies for three years now, and at the same time an adjunct professor at the Adventist University of the Philippines (teaching Global Mission, as well as Urban Ministry) for four years. She earned her Masters of Arts in Ministry-Intercultural Studies at AIIAS and is currently writing her dissertation for the Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at Andrews University, Michigan, USA.

Prior to her calling in the teaching ministry, she served the Philippine Frontier Missions (PFM) as an executive director for 10 years. She was actively involved in mission conducted in different parts of the Philippines. Overall, she has served PFM for 25 long years.

She is married to Dr. Abner Dizon, one of the associate professors of mission at AIIAS. Her areas of interest are in world mission, leadership and administration, and missionary spirituality.


 

COURSE DEVELOPERS

 

ABNER PEREZ DIZON, DMiss

Dr. Abner P. Dizon is an associate professor of World Mission and Islamic Studies of the Theological Seminary at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS).  He serves as program director for MA in Ministry – Intercultural Studies and Doctor in Missiology/ Intercultural Studies.  He is also the current Seminary coordinator for Distributed Learning Center (DLC) at AIIAS.

He has a rich experience in mission and evangelism through the Philippine Frontier Mission (PFM). In fact, he served as an editor, executive director and research and training director at PFM for more than a decade.

He earned his Doctor of Missiology at the Philippine Christian University and his MA in Religion at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Intercultural Studies at Asia Graduate School of Theology, Manila, Philippines.

He has written some books and other research articles related to mission, evangelism and world religion.

 

JIM PARK, PhD

Dr. Jim Park served as Associate Professor of the Theological Seminary at AIIAS for several years. As a seasoned professor and an experienced pastor, he has been involved in discipleship, church growth and missions.