Forum Description

Innovative Disruption is a dynamic and thought-provoking learning experience that explores creative ways to meaningfully relate Christology, missiology, and ecclesiology to the complexities of contemporary cultures. Participants in the forum will delve into the intersection of theology and society, examining how the core beliefs and practices of Christianity can engage with and transform the world around us.

The forum begins by unpacking the foundational concepts of Christology, delving into the nature, person, and work of Christ as understood within Christian theology. Through in-depth discussions and critical analysis, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of Christ's identity and mission in shaping missiological and ecclesiological thought and practice.

Building upon this Christological framework, the forum then shifts its focus to missiology, exploring how the mission of the Church is informed by missio Dei and motus Dei and how it incarnates in diverse cultural contexts. Participants will examine missiological theology and considering its relevance and effectiveness in today's globalized and pluralistic world.

Finally, the forum explores ecclesiology, investigating the adaptive nature and purpose of the Church as the body of Christ in the world. Through case studies, interactive exercises, and collaborative projects, participants will explore innovative approaches to ecclesial life and witness, considering how the Church can authentically engage with contemporary culture while remaining rooted in its evangelical heritage.

  • Theological and missiological foundations for Christology and their implications for mission and church.

  • Missiological theology: understanding and engaging with diverse cultural, social, and religious contexts.

  • Adaptive ecclesial identity and mission: reimagining church practices and structures for relevance and impact.

  • Innovative solutions for addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in Christian witness.

  • Embodiment of Jesus Christ in His five-fold ministry as apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, and teacher.

An Agenda for the Future Church

Through a blend of lectures, discussions, and readings, participants will engage critical thinking skills, missiological insight, and practical tools for thinking outside of the box of current systems in a way that is faithful, relevant, and transformative. This learning experience invites participants to embrace the call to innovative disruption as a means of embodying Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world.

    1. Welcome to this Ephesiology Master Class

    2. How to use the course player

    3. Forum Overview

    4. Before we begin...

    5. Introducing Innovative Disruption

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. Our Boundaries

    3. Critical Reflections on the North American Church

    4. The Rise of Christianities

    5. Is there a Christian worldview?

    6. Decentralized Churches - Alan Hirsch

    7. Innovative Solutions

    1. Reorient to Jesus

    2. Something to Consider

    3. Jesus and the Storm

    4. Reorient to Jesus, Part 2

    5. Discussion

    6. Innovative Solutions

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. Download the Slide Deck

    3. Christology - Missiology - Ecclesiology

    4. Discussion

    5. Innovation Solutions

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. Download the Slide Deck

    3. Missiological Theology, Part 1

    4. Missiological Theology, Part 2

    5. Missiological Theology, Part 3

    6. Discussion

    7. Innovative Solutions

    1. What to expect in this session

    2. Download the Slide Deck

    3. Ecclesiology Introduction

    4. More Ecclesiology

    5. Discussion

    6. Innovative Solutions

About this course

  • Free
  • 48 lessons
  • Free book download
  • Live discussions

Meet your facilitators

Join Andrew and Michael in a facilitated conversation about innovative disruption

Professor of Missiological Theology Michael T. Cooper

Dr. Cooper earned a PhD in Intercultural Studies with a focus on religious movements and a minor in theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He currently serves as a missiologist for a missions agency where he focuses on missiological research and equipping missionaries for effective cultural engagement. He has thirty years of missions experience, including ten years as a pioneer church planter in Romania after the fall of communism and has equipped church planters and leaders in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. He is a guest faculty at Torch Trinity Graduate University, adjunct faculty at Mission India Theological Seminary, Asia Graduate School of Theology Nepal, and Ebenezer Bible College in Katmandu, and affiliate faculty at Kairos University. He has written and contributed to more than 30 books and academic articles and has presented conference lectures at the London School of Economics, University of Bordeaux, Loyola University, Baylor University, and many others. His recent book, Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement is a best seller at William Carey Publishing.

Associate Pastor, Neartown Church Andrew Johnson

Andrew is a proud husband, father and pastor in the Bayou City, Houston, TX. Previously, he’s ministered in Chicago, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew as a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University. After graduating Phoenix Seminary, he, his wife, and three kids moved to Houston join the growing ministry at Neartown Church, a church geared towards starting and supporting other strong local churches through church planting. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University. When not at work, he’s an avid disc golfing, ultimate playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers.

Continue the Conversation

Listen on Pandora, iTunes, Spotify or any of your favorite podcast apps.

Join our podcasters each week for a captivating discussion about a New Testament movement that started in Ephesus and impacted all of Asia Minor for 13 centuries. We dig deeply into the missiological theology of the New Testament in order to understand what a movement might look like today.
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