Lately, I seem to have come across a number of these short missions courses. Some are aligned with Perspectives. Read more about Perspectives at…

 

http://www.perspectives.org

 

Of course, it might just be the granddaddy of them all. It’s about 15 weeks in length, available as an intensive course of 1 week or 3 weeks in some locations, but often taught over the course of 15 weeks by flying in lecturers and mobilizers, some of whom make their living as itinerant guest Perspectives teachers. You can even take it online:

 

http://class.perspectives.org/Visitor/Online.aspx

 

It’s fairly academic, even scholastic in nature, with emphasis on homework, assigned readings, and lectures. It’s also kind of expensive, according to some ($190 for a non-credit, online version, for example).

 

In addition to Perspectives, there’s also Nvision, a unique, one-day encounter exposing God’s people to what He is doing around the world and helping them to find their most strategic role in completing the Great Commission. This fast paced multi-media experience is informative, exciting, and life changing. Speakers come, share powerful stories, challenge with truth from God’s word, thus revealing sobering worldwide facts and need. Learn more about Nvision at…

 

http://www.vision7nine.org/nvision-seminar

 

Then there’s Unveiling Glory. It’s more like a series of messages. Learn about the concept at…

 

http://www.unveilinglory.com/

 

And see the messages at…

 

http://www.unveilinglory.com/content/view/60/79/

 

The great thing here is — much of the content is available for free.

 

Then there’s Operation Worldview, available at..

 

http://operationworldview.org/

 

I just received a copy of this course in the past few days and I’m looking forward to previewing it. It’s basically a summary — “Perspectives in a box,” so to speak. You get a DVD on the Biblical backdrop, another on the historical slant of things, a 3rd on the cultural perspective, and a 4th on the strategic angle. There’s also a leader’s guide and a Participant guide. In addition, you get videos like “Abraham,” “Ee-taow!”, “Transformations,” The “Unfinished Task,” and “6 Ways to Reach God’s World.”

 

This latter video — “6 ways” is also easily obtained at…

 

http://www.omf.org/omf/us/get_involved__1/6_ways_to_reach_god_s_world

 

At this site, you can actually download and watch the videos for free, then share them with your missions committee, church, short-term missions team, or class. It’s a great intro and it’s very engaging. Our committee loved them.

 

And while you’re into the number “six,” you might also try the course called, “Xplore,” which features 6 lessons exploring God’s Word, God’s World and God’s Work. Find it at..

 

http://www.everyethne.org

 

Finally, there’s the Kairos Course. Designed and first implemented overseas, it has a decidedly international backdrop, but is now being used practically everywhere. In the organization I lead (called Team Expansion), some of our guys in South America got hold of it and started promoting it among our teams in 45 countries. It has caught on like wildfire and is now being taught by Team Expansion workers on just about every continent. Learn more at…

 

http://www.teamexpansion.org/kairos

 

The cool thing about Kairos is that there’s very little to buy or purchase, and no lecturers have to make any circuits. So once you and your church are kind of “certified” to run it, you won’t need outside experts — which translates into big savings plus lots of local ownership of the course and its future. The entire course is being refreshed (videos, published materials, and more) this coming fall. Exciting.

 

All of these courses bode well for Christian missions. My theory is — the more we train, the more we know. The more we know, the more we will want to *do*. The more we do, the more people will go to Heaven — all of which can’t be a bad thing. :-)

 

God bless your own church or group, of *course*.

 

Doug

 

PS. Did I miss one? Never fear! Just click “Comment” below the web version of this item and add a full review of your own. All these courses will still be side by side on the web version of Brigada.

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