Assignment: Historical Church Mission Research Paper for CHHI 325 The Church and Its Mission

As module leaders for CHHI 325, this research paper is a recurring capstone assignment that integrates historical analysis with missiological reflection. Students select a period or movement in church history and examine how the church understood and pursued its mission, drawing on primary and secondary sources to evaluate theological motivations, strategies, and outcomes. The format reinforces skills in historical theology and contextual application. Assign it after surveying major eras to allow substantial research time. During moderation, verify historical accuracy, fair representation of sources, theological depth, and proper Turabian formatting to meet external scrutiny standards.

Assignment Overview

Write a Research Paper analyzing the mission of the church during a selected historical period or through the work of a key movement/figure. Assess theological foundations, methods, challenges, and lasting impact on global Christianity.

Assignment Instructions

1. Choose one approved topic, such as the mission of the early church (Acts/post-apostolic), medieval missions (e.g., Celtic or Franciscan), Reformation-era missions, the Great Century (19th-century Protestant missions), or 20th-century ecumenical/ Pentecostal missions (or propose an alternative for instructor approval).
2. Structure the paper with an introduction including a clear thesis, body sections covering historical context, theological basis for mission, strategies employed, challenges faced, and outcomes/legacy, and a conclusion reflecting on relevance for contemporary church mission.
3. Engage at least two primary sources (where possible) and four secondary scholarly sources, including historical surveys or missiological studies.
4. Use current Turabian format for footnotes and bibliography. Demonstrate critical analysis and original synthesis rather than mere summary.
5. Submit as a single document via the course platform by the due date.

The paper must be 2,000–2,500 words, excluding title page, footnotes, and bibliography. Deviations beyond 10% will affect grading.

Marking Rubric

Grade using this rubric for transparency and consistency. Total: 100 points.

• Introduction and Thesis (15 points): Clear topic focus, historical scope, and arguable thesis. Excellent: 14–15; Good: 11–13; Fair: 8–10; Poor: Below 8.
• Historical Context and Description (25 points): Accurate, detailed portrayal of period/movement with appropriate primary source use. Excellent: 23–25; Good: 18–22; Fair: 13–17; Poor: Below 13.
• Theological and Missiological Analysis (30 points): Insightful examination of mission theology, strategies, challenges, and impact. Excellent: 27–30; Good: 21–26; Fair: 15–20; Poor: Below 15.
• Conclusion and Contemporary Relevance (15 points): Thoughtful synthesis and application to modern mission. Excellent: 14–15; Good: 11–13; Fair: 8–10; Poor: Below 8.
• Source Use, Citation, and Mechanics (15 points): Effective integration of at least six sources with precise Turabian formatting and error-free writing. Excellent: 14–15; Good: 11–13; Fair: 8–10; Poor: Below 8.

Your Study Bay

The 19th-century Protestant missions movement, often called the Great Century, witnessed unprecedented expansion through voluntary societies and individual pioneers. Theological foundations rested on postmillennial optimism and the Great Commission imperative, motivating figures like William Carey to advocate “means” for global evangelism. Strategies included Bible translation, education, medical work, and indigenous church planting, despite challenges like colonialism entanglement and cultural resistance. Outcomes transformed global Christianity, shifting its center southward and eastward. This era challenges today’s church to balance evangelism with social concern amid secularization. As Robert notes, the voluntary society model democratized missions, enabling lay participation and rapid growth previously unseen (Robert, D. L., 2019. Christian Mission: A Global History).

References

Robert, D. L., 2019. Christian mission: A global history. Wiley-Blackwell. DOI: 10.1002/9781118554371.

Sunquist, S. W. and Yong, A. eds., 2020. The gospel and pluralism today: Reassessing Lesslie Newbigin in the 21st century. InterVarsity Press. Available at: https://www.ivpress.com/the-gospel-and-pluralism-today.

Irvin, D. T. and Sunquist, S. W., 2018. History of the world Christian movement, Vol. 2: Modern Christianity from 1454–1800. Orbis Books. Available at: https://orbisbooks.com/products/history-of-the-world-christian-movement-vol-2.

Walls, A. F., 2021. Crossing cultural frontiers: Studies in the history of world Christianity. Orbis Books. Available at: https://orbisbooks.com/products/crossing-cultural-frontiers.