Having a good understanding of the Bible and Christian doctrine is an essential foundation for cross-cultural mission. Your theology and beliefs will be regularly challenged, so it is important for you to have confidence in the scriptures and be able to handle them competently. To supplement personal study, you may feel it is important to go further in formal training on certain aspects.

 

Standard expectation across the Pioneers movement:

“A basic understanding of biblical, theological and missiological concepts.”

Pioneers International Handbook

 

Pre-field requirements:

  • A developing understanding of missiology.
  • Confidence in hermeneutics: understanding, interpreting, and applying Scripture.
  • Ability to confidently articulate core Christian beliefs.
     

 

How to fulfil requirements:

    Essential (requirements which must be completed)

    • Completion of an Old Testament and New Testament survey. 

     

    Ongoing development (ways of growing further in this area):
     

    • Complete All Nations Christian College “Explore Course” (13 weeks online).
    • Attend a Kairos, Perspectives or MomentumYes course.
    • Take advantage of theology training provided by local church/church network/denomination.
    • Periodically enrol on relevant short courses provided by Higher Education Colleges: All Nations Christian College, Crosslands, London School of Theology, Belfast School of Theology and others.
    • Complete online biblical studies course e.g. BibleMeshOT Survey.
    • Complete Bible college online courses.
    • Complete BibleMesh courses.
     

    Suggested resources

    Start here – suggested foundational resources

    • ►Book Overviews videos – BibleProject.
    • Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible – Michael F. Bird.
    • Knowing God to Make Him Known – Ed Scheuerman.    
    • How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth – Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart.
    • Essentials of World Missions– Timothy Tennent, Biblicaltraining.org.  
    • Exploring Christian Doctrine – Tony Lane.

     

     

    Introduction to theology

    • What Christians Ought to Believe: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine Through the Apostles’ Creed – Michael F. Bird
    • Christian Theology: An Introduction – Alister E. McGrath.
    • Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief – Bruce Milne.

     

    Biblical studies

    • Introducing the New Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message – D.A Carson and Douglas J. Moo.
    • Introducing the Old Testament – John Drane.
    • Journey into God's Word, Second Edition: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible – J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays.
    • How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour  –Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart.
    • Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message – Temper Longman III.
    • Old Testament SurveyandNew Testament Survey, BibleMesh.     

    As an alternative, see The New Testament in Its World course

     

    Global perspectives

    • Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes – Brandon J. O’Brien & E. Randolf Richards.

     

    Commentaries

    • Africa Bible Commentary – Tokunboh Adeyemo ed.
    • Central and Eastern European Bible Commentary – Corneliu Constantineanu
    • South Asia Bible Commentary – Brian Wintle ed.
       

    Sub-Saharan Africa

    • Africa Bears Witness: Mission Theology and Praxis in the 21st Century – Harvey Kwiyani ed.
    • Apologetics in Africa: An Introduction – Kevin Muriithi Ndereba ed.
       

    The Arab world

    • Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels  – Kenneth E. Bailey.
    • Poet and Peasant: Literary-cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke – Kenneth E. Bailey.
    • Arab Christian Theology: A Contemporary Global Evangelical Perspective – Andrea Zaki Stephanous ed.

     

    The person and work of Jesus

    • Jesus – John Eldredge et al.
    • Who is This Jesus? – E.M. Hicham.
    • The Glory of Christ – Peter Lewis.
    • The Cross of Christ – John Stott.

     

    Missiology

    • Compassion and the Mission of God – Rupen Das.
    • Subversive Mission: Serving as Outsiders in a World of Need – Craig Greenfield
    • The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission – Christopher J. H. Wright.
    • The Message of Mission (The Bible Speaks Today Series) – Howard Peskett & Vinoth Ramachandra.
    • Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions – John Piper
    • World Mission of the Church – Timothy Tennent, Biblicaltraining.org.
    • Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader – Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne eds.