Welcome
Welcome to our short course on the Church!
We are thrilled to have you join us on this enlightening journey. We hope this course will inspire and equip you to see the Church from a truer biblical perspective, as uniquely glorious and yet thoroughly human and fallible. May you grasp afresh the incredible calling and importance of the church.
Short Course Overview
Topic 1: Gods vision for the church
Many people struggle with unrealistic expectations of church, leading to confusion and disappointment. This course will help you grasp a biblical and realistic vision of the church, clarifying its role as a river of life, a place for learning, and a vessel for spiritual growth. You’ll learn how the church serves as the sign, instrument, and foretaste of God’s kingdom on earth. Join us to deepen your understanding and embrace the church as it truly is.
Topic 2: The Church Down Through History – the Good and the Bad
This topic explores the history of the church in Western culture, uncovering the events and shifts that led to today’s cultural landscape. You’ll learn about the rise of Christendom, the impact of the Enlightenment, the church’s historical failings, and the revolutionary power of the gospel. With insights into the past, this course offers a clear lens for understanding and navigating the contextualisation of Christianity in our culture.
Topic 3: The Church’s Calling to Be
This course explores how we, as the church, are a counter-cultural community, called to live out Jesus’ values in a world that often opposes them. Learn how Jesus, through His example of serving us, invites us to serve one another, embodying His love and mission in everything we do.
Topic 4: Making Disciples of Jesus – Why, What, and How?
Unlock the power of relational discipleship! In this course, discover why making disciples isn’t just about sharing wisdom, but about being transformed in all areas of life, through building healthy relationships and growing together. Learn Jesus’ method for disciple-making and how it leads to lasting change. Ready to make an impact? Join us and explore the “why,” “what,” and “how” of true discipleship!
Summary
In this short course, we have covered the following topics that relate to the Church. These were:
- How the church has fallen short of and lived up to its calling in history.
- The church’s calling to be a worshipping and servant community.
- The church’s calling to make disciples of Jesus.
Each Topic included extra written and video resources for you to further enhance your learning. May you be a blessing and so also be blessed as you take your unique place in the high calling of the church.
Adam came to Australia to take up a lecturing position with Alphacrucis. Originally from England, he studied for two Master's degrees in theology at the University of St Andrews (Scotland) and Princeton Theological Seminary (USA). Afterwards, he joined YWAM Scotland where he met his wife. They later moved to New Zealand, where he completed his PhD in theology at the University of Otago in Dunedin. Following that, Adam was called to become Senior Pastor at the Elim Church in Dunedin, which he pastored for over a decade. Throughout his time in New Zealand, he taught courses in Christian theology, ethics, and leadership at the University of Otago and Elim Leadership College, and as a guest lecturer at Tawangmangu Bible College (Indonesia). He also spoke and taught widely in churches, conferences, and colleges on discipleship, the interface of the Gospel with Western culture, and understanding and answering Islam. Adam has ongoing research interests in theology, missiology, the interface of the Gospel with Western culture, apologetics, discipleship and spiritual formation, and Christian-Islamic relations. He has recently finished a Master's degree in Islamic Studies with Melbourne School of Theology. He is also the Teaching Pastor at Nexus Church, Brisbane. Adam is a member of the Interculturality, Interfaith and Mission and Theology and Society research clusters.