“The student demonstrates appreciation for the many dimensions of ongoing public-square and global conversations related to social, cultural, religious, biblical, and theological concerns, and develops a biblical Christian perspective that results in knowledgeable, compassionate dialogue with appropriate evangelistic engagement.”
Part I
Cultural Engagement Goal
I will learn more about the Hispanic demographic and community at Immanuel. This specifically applies to how the grandparent ministry can be applied in the broader context of the Hispanic community and church. I will ensure that the Grandparent Conference can appeal and serve our Spanish speaking membership.
Added: Including a worldview element to the
Strategies
I will meet with Juan Ancalle, Pastor of Hispanic Ministries about options for service
I will reach out to the Legacy Coalition about Hispanic resources and the options for tailoring the conference with additional Hispanic breakout sessions.
I will study the specific demographics related to grandparents in the Hispanic community to understand the differences.
Resources
Read at least 5 articles on Hispanic grandparenting
Contact DTS on potential speaker resources for Hispanic conference
Contact Focus on the Family or other recommended resources from my mentor and pastoral staff for Hispanic resources.
Measurement
Main Speaker and Breakout Sessions strategy for Hispanic attendees of the grandparent conference. - Deferred
Written recommendations for Hispanic ministry engagement and support of the grandparent ministry - in work as part of the current course development
Part II
Overall Reflection Statement for Cultural Engagement
or my competence in cultural engagement, I am submitting a summary of material I researched on Hispanic grandparenting. Since the emphasis on a grandparenting conference shifted and I subsequently added COVID-related online programs, I focused less on than originally planned in this area. As part of my Grandparent Course my mentor and I selected a number of established families to include two couples with Hispanic backgrounds to provide that perspective. Both were second generation children, raised in the United States, but with parents from Mexico. The second cultural engagement topic centered on a Christian worldview. I quote professor Howard Henrick’s statement that “You cannot impart what you do not possess.” This included a challenge to understand the culture of today. I included material and videos that we used in the second week of class to cover the topic of worldviews and age appropriate ways to engage with our grandchildren on the topic. It was a rich discussion when presented and I was encouraged to expand this area in the course, even though it was not a specific topic in the books I reviewed for the program.
Artifacts with Descriptions
Written recommendations for Hispanic ministry engagement for the grandparent ministry (in work)
Worldview Training and Discussions as part of the Week 2 material at the weekly lessons link This was a particular topic that I added to the grandparent course beyond the seven chapters in the book Grandparenting with Grace. I added this topic since my review of grandparenting material lacked any significant coverage of this topic. Equipping grandparents for cultural understanding and engagement is an critical element of being effective.
Weekly Lessons - Week 2 Curriculum on Worldviews includes the class lesson notes. I highlight a lecture series that gives a background in cultural changes witnessed today, review a testimony regarding the work of the Spirit, review catechisms and other age appropriate teaching material,
As I developed and demonstrated cultural engagement, I focused on two areas. The first was and remains an ongoing investigation on the application and availability of material to support a grandparent ministry in the Hispanic community. I have found little material in the blossoming area of intentional Christian grandparenting, to include a lack of published authors and speakers (at least with the recognized leaders and organizations in this area). One area of emphasis added to this section involved the development of a worldview module for preparing grandparents to understand and engage other generations within a post-modern culture. Thin included and extensive review of short relevant material that can be available to the class. It includes a church sponsored access to Rightnow Media with access to over 20,000 Biblically-based videos that include grandparent topics. I am convinced that equipping and encouraging Christian grandparents is a key to bridging the challenges of today and the culture’s rejection of absolute truth in favor of feelings and personal standards.
Lifelong Development Statement
As a result of the experiences documented by these artifacts, I will continue to develop in cultural engagement, by expanding on the options for grandparent ministry to the Hispanic community that includes options within my own church. My outreach to the Hispanic pastor and options for collaboration and support are areas of growth and opportunity. Additionally, the challenges within the culture of today, the rapidly expanding social media crisis, the vitriol in politics, the hostility towards authentic Christianity and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis call out for a hope and future only available through Christ. There has never been a ministry like the one available today in reaching a broken world. Articulating a Christ-based worldview that can be transmitted and woven into our relationships with children and grandchildren is a necessary focus for communicating the Gospel.