Instructor: Brad Boydston, DMin
Phone: +1- 602-903-5085
Email: bboydston@piu.edu
WELCOME
Thank you for your interest in World Missions. My name is Brad Boydston and I have been teaching PIU classes since 2009. When my wife Cheryl and I were missionaries, we lived for three years on Guam and taught on campus. I was also the Academic Vice-President for PIU.
In addition to being a missionary, I have been been a pastor and church planter. I am now serving as a chaplain at a senior adult community in Florida, USA -- Covenant Living of Florida. But working with PIU students is one of the most important (and fulfilling) things I am doing with my life. By choice, I am a volunteer teacher (that is, I don't get paid to do this). I am also the executive director of SEEDS for PIU, a small mission organization that supports the ministry of PIU. Most years, I still spend about two weeks on the PIU campus. I am an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Cheryl and I have three adult children and two grandsons.
People have started asking me what I want to be called. My preference is to be on a first-name basis with everyone -- including my students. However, some students feel more comfortable with titles. If that's the case -- choose one: pastor, professor, doctor, teacher, reverend, chaplain, grandpa...
Seriously, I'm happiest when people call me "Brad." I grew up in the culture of 1960s and 70s California. By our high school years many of our school teachers had abandoned their courtesy titles ("Mr," "Mrs," "Miss," "Ms") -- but that was California back then. Subsequently, I've lived in a lot of places and have come to realize that not everyone is as laid back as me. Since my goal is to help other people feel comfortable around me, you can choose something which makes you comfortable. But I am honored to be "Brad."
If you're curious to find out more visit about.boydston.us.
FROM THE CATALOG
This course is “a survey of the history and theology of Christian missions. Students develop an understanding of the relationship of missions to the redemptive purpose of God and the factors which influence the effectiveness of missionary work. This should serve to motivate students to promote missions in their churches.”
OVERVIEW
This is an independent self-paced online course. There will be 15 lessons, each of which will include input of some form (reading, video) and then an assignment based on the input. There will be a final project. This blog will be the hub of information for the course.
All assignments will be submitted by email to bboydston@piu.edu or by sharing a Google Doc to the same address.
While you are welcome to work with any other students who might be taking this class, the interaction will be primarily between the student and the instructor. You are welcome, though, to leave comments on the bottom of each blog post if you have something to say that you think might be helpful to other current or future students -- or if you want to respond to a comment made by another student.
TEXT
Introducing World Missions: a Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey by A. Scott Moreau, Gary R. Corwin, and Gary B. McGee (2nd ed, Baker Academic, 2015). Kindle -- $22.89; New Hardback $49.74; Paperback -- $30.
Our PIU librarian, Paul drake, has located an online .pdf version of the textbook. If you want to access the book this way, make sure that you download it onto your computer or into your Google Drive. We don't know how long it will be available for free in this way. https://b-ok.global/book/
SUCCESS
In order to succeed in this class you will need:
1. Access to a computer. You will be typing your assignments. It will NOT be possible to write out your assignments in handwriting because all of your assignments will be sent to me by email or through Google Docs.
2. Your own personal email account. If you don't yet have one check with the PIU office about getting a piu.edu email account.
3. Some measure of self-discipline. This is not the kind of class where you can do all of the work at the very end of the semester and expect to pass. And I am not going to be meeting with you twice a week -- constantly reminding you to turn in work. In this course, I, the teacher, am a distant guide and encourager. Ultimately, you, the student, are responsible for learning what is presented. If there is something that you do not understand do not feel embarrassed to send me an email and ask for help. While you have to take responsibility for your success in this class I am here to help you.
SUCCESS
In order to succeed in this class you will need:
1. Access to a computer. You will be typing your assignments. It will NOT be possible to write out your assignments in handwriting because all of your assignments will be sent to me by email or through Google Docs.
2. Your own personal email account. If you don't yet have one check with the PIU office about getting a piu.edu email account.
3. Some measure of self-discipline. This is not the kind of class where you can do all of the work at the very end of the semester and expect to pass. And I am not going to be meeting with you twice a week -- constantly reminding you to turn in work. In this course, I, the teacher, am a distant guide and encourager. Ultimately, you, the student, are responsible for learning what is presented. If there is something that you do not understand do not feel embarrassed to send me an email and ask for help. While you have to take responsibility for your success in this class I am here to help you.
4. Access to the required textbook.
This course is designed so that it takes most people about 8-10 hours per week to do the work right. Some sections in this class involve more work -- some a little less. Please plan to spend 8-10 hours each week working on world missions assignments.
Students are expected to submit assignments and tests and complete all assessments throughout the semester. Students who begin attendance, but then cease submitting assignments and participating in required activities for two (2) consecutive weeks, without consulting the instructor, registrar, or the Academic VP, will be subject to the Administrative Withdrawal. The Administrative Withdrawal may result in the reduction and/or return of financial aid. (from the PIU catalog 2019-20, p 55)
If you have the time it is quite possible to complete all of the assignments early on in the semester. You are welcome to do so.
Even if a particular assignment seems difficult, do it anyway. Sometimes I ask you to answer difficult questions so that you begin to understand the complexity of a situation. (That's how we learn -- by struggling with questions that are greater than our current understanding.) If the questions are hard I will adjust the grading expectations. If I see that you are doing the work and are struggling to come up with answers -- you will do well -- even if you don't yet fully grasp all the concepts.
ASSIGNMENT MARKINGS
I use the following system to mark assignments. You might see any or all of this when you read the assignments that I have scored. This will help you as you improve and prepare to resubmit the assignment to earn additional points.
Yellow = Look closely at this. Figure out what is wrong with it. It could be a writing mistake.
Green = Add this to your writing.
Red = Remove this from your writing.
Orange/Tan = My comments.
Blue = Score or grade.
90/100 = You earned 90 points on an assignment that was worth 100 points.
RESUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
Once you submit an assignment I will read it, possibly comment on it, and assign points to it. It will then be emailed back to you. Once you receive the score and comments you are encouraged to go back over the assignment, make adjustments to it, and resubmit for a new score. You can do this until you are happy with the score you receive.
GRADING
Your grade will be based on the number of points that you earn in the class.
Once you reach 600 points you have earned enough to get a D- grade for the course.
Once you reach 650 points you have earned enough to get a D grade for the course.
Once you reach 690 points you have earned enough to get a D+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 700 points you have earned enough to get a C- grade for the course.
Once you reach 750 points you have earned enough to get a C grade for the course.
Once you reach 790 points you have earned enough to get a C+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 800 points you have earned enough to get a B- grade for the course.
Once you reach 850 points you have earned enough to get a B grade for the course.
Once you reach 890 points you have earned enough to get a B+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 900 points you have earned enough to get an A- grade for the course.
Once you reach 950 points you have earned enough to get an A grade for the course.
Once you reach 990 points you have earned enough to get an A+ grade for the course.
EARNING POINTS
Here is how you earn points:
MONDAY CHECK-INS
All students should send me an email each Monday explaining what they expect to accomplish for the class during the upcoming week. Also, tell me how you think you are doing with the assignment which you are currently doing. Are there questions? Problems? And if you want to say something about how things are going in your life -- challenges you are facing or good things that are happening -- I'd like to hear about that, too. You will receive 5 points for each Monday check-in that you submit.
CITATIONS
Much of the work you do in this class involves writing. When you submit an assignment, whether it is a formal academic paper, a topical essay, or just answers to questions, you are expected to provide in-text citations and a list of references at the bottom of the assignment. Do this even with assignments that are submitted in an email. PIU uses the Turabian format. You should as well.
PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC HONESTY
PACIFIC ISLANDS UNIVERSITY DOES NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s words or ideas without using quotations marks or
citing (identifying) the author, source, and page number of the source. Plagiarism is a form of
cheating and is not allowed at PIU. When students use information from a speaker/teacher, books,
articles, or the Internet, even if they put the information in their own words, students need to tell
where the ideas came from. Plagiarizing any other person’s words or ideas carries serious
consequences. In English classes, students will learn how to cite quotes and summarize
information correctly. They are expected to use these skills in their writing assignments for all
classes. Students who willingly allow other students to copy their work are also guilty of plagiarism
because they aided in the process. The following steps will be taken when complete or a significant
portion of plagiarism is detected in a student’s work (partial plagiarism is left up to the discretion
of the teacher).
~ from the PIU catalog (2019-2020, p 64)
OFFICE HOURS
I try to maintain online office hours using one of the video service Google Meets. I will email the link each week. To access the "office" by video you will need to be using a device -- phone, tablet, or computer -- that has a video camera attached.
I will be available to answer questions, discuss the class material, or just to talk about life. If you visit me in the office I will give you bonus points that could positively affect your final grade.
This course is designed so that it takes most people about 8-10 hours per week to do the work right. Some sections in this class involve more work -- some a little less. Please plan to spend 8-10 hours each week working on world missions assignments.
Students are expected to submit assignments and tests and complete all assessments throughout the semester. Students who begin attendance, but then cease submitting assignments and participating in required activities for two (2) consecutive weeks, without consulting the instructor, registrar, or the Academic VP, will be subject to the Administrative Withdrawal. The Administrative Withdrawal may result in the reduction and/or return of financial aid. (from the PIU catalog 2019-20, p 55)
If you have the time it is quite possible to complete all of the assignments early on in the semester. You are welcome to do so.
Even if a particular assignment seems difficult, do it anyway. Sometimes I ask you to answer difficult questions so that you begin to understand the complexity of a situation. (That's how we learn -- by struggling with questions that are greater than our current understanding.) If the questions are hard I will adjust the grading expectations. If I see that you are doing the work and are struggling to come up with answers -- you will do well -- even if you don't yet fully grasp all the concepts.
ASSIGNMENT MARKINGS
I use the following system to mark assignments. You might see any or all of this when you read the assignments that I have scored. This will help you as you improve and prepare to resubmit the assignment to earn additional points.
Yellow = Look closely at this. Figure out what is wrong with it. It could be a writing mistake.
Green = Add this to your writing.
Red = Remove this from your writing.
Orange/Tan = My comments.
Blue = Score or grade.
90/100 = You earned 90 points on an assignment that was worth 100 points.
RESUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
Once you submit an assignment I will read it, possibly comment on it, and assign points to it. It will then be emailed back to you. Once you receive the score and comments you are encouraged to go back over the assignment, make adjustments to it, and resubmit for a new score. You can do this until you are happy with the score you receive.
GRADING
Your grade will be based on the number of points that you earn in the class.
Once you reach 600 points you have earned enough to get a D- grade for the course.
Once you reach 650 points you have earned enough to get a D grade for the course.
Once you reach 690 points you have earned enough to get a D+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 700 points you have earned enough to get a C- grade for the course.
Once you reach 750 points you have earned enough to get a C grade for the course.
Once you reach 790 points you have earned enough to get a C+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 800 points you have earned enough to get a B- grade for the course.
Once you reach 850 points you have earned enough to get a B grade for the course.
Once you reach 890 points you have earned enough to get a B+ grade for the course.
Once you reach 900 points you have earned enough to get an A- grade for the course.
Once you reach 950 points you have earned enough to get an A grade for the course.
Once you reach 990 points you have earned enough to get an A+ grade for the course.
EARNING POINTS
Here is how you earn points:
- Complete each of the assignments and return them to me by email or by sharing them with me through Google Docs.
- Points are awarded for Monday Check-in emails and for visiting with me during the video office hours.
MONDAY CHECK-INS
All students should send me an email each Monday explaining what they expect to accomplish for the class during the upcoming week. Also, tell me how you think you are doing with the assignment which you are currently doing. Are there questions? Problems? And if you want to say something about how things are going in your life -- challenges you are facing or good things that are happening -- I'd like to hear about that, too. You will receive 5 points for each Monday check-in that you submit.
CITATIONS
Much of the work you do in this class involves writing. When you submit an assignment, whether it is a formal academic paper, a topical essay, or just answers to questions, you are expected to provide in-text citations and a list of references at the bottom of the assignment. Do this even with assignments that are submitted in an email. PIU uses the Turabian format. You should as well.
PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC HONESTY
PACIFIC ISLANDS UNIVERSITY DOES NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s words or ideas without using quotations marks or
citing (identifying) the author, source, and page number of the source. Plagiarism is a form of
cheating and is not allowed at PIU. When students use information from a speaker/teacher, books,
articles, or the Internet, even if they put the information in their own words, students need to tell
where the ideas came from. Plagiarizing any other person’s words or ideas carries serious
consequences. In English classes, students will learn how to cite quotes and summarize
information correctly. They are expected to use these skills in their writing assignments for all
classes. Students who willingly allow other students to copy their work are also guilty of plagiarism
because they aided in the process. The following steps will be taken when complete or a significant
portion of plagiarism is detected in a student’s work (partial plagiarism is left up to the discretion
of the teacher).
~ from the PIU catalog (2019-2020, p 64)
OFFICE HOURS
I try to maintain online office hours using one of the video service Google Meets. I will email the link each week. To access the "office" by video you will need to be using a device -- phone, tablet, or computer -- that has a video camera attached.
I will be available to answer questions, discuss the class material, or just to talk about life. If you visit me in the office I will give you bonus points that could positively affect your final grade.
You can also arrange times to meet with me if the scheduled office hour does not work for you.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If for some reason there is a crisis and you cannot send email to me you can call me on the phone or send me a note in the regular mail. Please explain what is going on and how I can help you. Here is my contact information:
Brad Boydston
527 NW 97th Ave
Plantation FL 33324 USA
Phone: 1-602-903-5085
My home base is Florida, which is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. This is GMT -4. For example, if it is 11 a.m., Friday on Guam, in Chuuk, or Yap, it is 8 p.m., Thursday in Florida. (Between March and November we are on Daylight Savings time so in the example given we would be 9 p.m. or GMT -5.)
email: bboydston@piu.edu
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will:
This course supports the institutional objectives in the following areas of development and growth:
CONTACT INFORMATION
If for some reason there is a crisis and you cannot send email to me you can call me on the phone or send me a note in the regular mail. Please explain what is going on and how I can help you. Here is my contact information:
Brad Boydston
527 NW 97th Ave
Plantation FL 33324 USA
Phone: 1-602-903-5085
My home base is Florida, which is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. This is GMT -4. For example, if it is 11 a.m., Friday on Guam, in Chuuk, or Yap, it is 8 p.m., Thursday in Florida. (Between March and November we are on Daylight Savings time so in the example given we would be 9 p.m. or GMT -5.)
email: bboydston@piu.edu
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will:
- be able to explain in terms that a 12-year-old could understand, the biblical, theological, and historical foundations for Christian missions;
- be able to identify and analyze some of the major challenges that missionaries face as they minister in a cross-cultural setting;
- have begun to articulate their own role in Christian missions.
This course supports the institutional objectives in the following areas of development and growth:
- growth in a loving relationship with God that overflows into Christ-like concern for people and the local and global communities around them.
- understanding of and ability to biblically defend the basics of evangelical theology.
- preparation for life as an individual capable of making well-reasoned and informed choices about values, goals, and careers.
- grasp the urgency of and participate in the biblical mandate to make disciples of all nations.
- possession of skills necessary to lead professionally in the church and community
- develop the joy of learning and discovery in all areas of life.
- gain the background and skills to understand written and oral communication from a wide range of sources and to communicate in the global culture.
- acquisition of the broad-based higher-order critical thinking, problem-solving, research, organization, and communication skills necessary to function in a wide range of careers in a changing world.
- development that leads to effective communication in speaking, hearing, reading, and writing the English language.
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