Missions Ministry Team

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Cross-Culture Ministry

Program of Alternate Studies

Multi-Cultural Ministries Track (PAS/MCM)

 

Purpose:

 

Preparing pastors for effective *multi-cultural ministries in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

 

*Multi-cultural: a) ministry in a multi-cultural church in the USA; example: a Hispanic church that consist of several different nationalities. b) and, ministry in an atmosphere where the dominate USA culture is creating a hybrid culture among those who have immigrated to the USA ; example: a Korean church in the USA that has members of different levels of US assimilation.

 

Goals

 

1. Mutual bonding and relationship building in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

 

2. Meeting requirements for ordination and/or validation of ordination.

 

3. Successful ministry in a multi-cultural community

 

4. Equipping church planters, that is, New Church Development (NCD) pastors.

 

PAS/MCM Courses Consist of Three Aspects:

 

1. Class Room — there will be a five day block of classes offered each summer during the PAS summer extension school at Bethel College, McKenzie, Tennessee. There will also be weekend courses at different places in teh USA that will involve a Friday and Saturday. As many classes as possible will be  taught in the mother language of the PAS/MCM participants.

 

2. Field Education — there will be assigned courses that will be done at home using materials in the mother language of the PAS/MCM participant.

 

3. Normal PAS Courses (in the summer extension school): when English permits regular PAS classes of the summer extension school at Bethel College will be used. There course may be modified to meet the special needs of PAS/MCM participants.

 

PAS/MCM Addresses the Following Issues

 

1. Language— PAS/MCM will use a two front approach. a) As many classes as are possible will be taught in languages other than English. b) *English classes will be an important requirement for PAS/MCM participants and will be part of the curriculum. *In order to be effective in the USA a satisfactory use of English is important. The dominate culture of the USA uses English. Any non-English church will soon notice that it's children are using English as their primary language. Effective ministry to the entire church requires that the pastor eventually have a satisfactory understanding of English. The primary business of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the lines of communication used in the church is by means of English. It is not that English is a superior language, but it is the case that it is the language of the majority of USA society and the language of the majority of the CP Church. The PAS/MCM is willing to acquire resources to provide English for those in the PAS/MCM program who have this need.

 

2. Cultural — The PAS/MCM will be flexible to meet different cultural needs and situations. The program will adapt and make modifications when needed to accommodate the different cultural and educational needs of the participants.

 

3. Ministry — Most PAS/MCM participants will be New Church Development pastors working in a multi-cultural context. PAS/MCM will place a strong emphasis on, a) the preparation of church planting pastors, and b) the unique challenges of multi-cultural ministry.

 

 

Memphis Theological Seminary

 

PAS/MCM is coordinated and supervised by the PAS department of Memphis Theological Seminary. The Missions Ministry Team acts as a consultant to PAS/MCM, however the program is under the direct leadership of the seminary.