THE CROSS-CULTURAL COHORT

Expectations

• Readings. Each month, you will be given reading assignments to help you gain a better understanding of the biblical basis for missions and the state of missionary activity today. All readings will be supplied to you and cohort members are not responsible for purchasing any books.

• Disciple-Making. We want to equip every member of the cohort to share what they are learning with other Christians. Each member of the cohort will be required to go through the Explore Bible Study (from the Center for Missions Mobilization) with another member of Pillar Church.
• Country Profile Group Project. Each member will be placed in a small group and each group will be assigned a country. Throughout the year, you will learn more about this country through specific research projects.
  • Each month, you will be given a specific topic to research with your group. The goal is NOT to write a research paper every month, but to familiarize yourself with another country and the unreached. Each group will work together to create a half-page outline of their findings (bullet points are fine).
  • Keep track of all of your assignments so that you will have a complete “Country Profile” document at the end of the year.
  • In at least one cohort meeting, your group will be asked to lead prayer for an unreached people group in your country. You will research the group, briefly present to the cohort, and lead us in prayer.
• Cross-Cultural Evangelism. At one of our meetings, we will have a cross-cultural Gospel & Grub, where you will be given the opportunity to share your faith with someone from the 10/40 window.

• Scripture Memory. Each member will memorize a few key verses related to God’s heart for the nations. Use the ESV so that we can recite these verses together. (If you need help memorizing these verses, this podcast from John Piper offers some great practical tips.)
  • Matthew 28:16–20 (by November 26)
  • Romans 10:13–15 (by February 25)
  • Revelation 5:9–10 (by April 28) 
  • Mark 10:29–31 (by June 23)

Expectations

• Maintain good standing as a member of Pillar Church of Washington DC
• Faithfully attend each cohort meeting. We want you to prioritize attendance. If work or travel necessitates, there will be the opportunity to join the cohort via video call. 
• Fully complete the assigned readings and other assignments. 
• Enthusiastically participate in the group discussions. Please come prepared to talk about each of the readings.
• Download WhatsApp and join the Cross-Cultural Cohort WhatsApp chat group 
• Complete the Explore Bible Study with another member of our church
• Contribute to your group’s country profile — be a responsible team-player

Cohort Meetings

At most cohort meetings, we will meet to discuss that month’s readings, pray for the nations together, and share about our country profile assignments.

Cohort members are expected to enthusiastically participate in discussion, but cohort members are not responsible for leading any portion of the discussion.

WhatsApp Group

Each member of the cohort will be invited to join the group’s WhatsApp chat so that we can encourage one another throughout the month and continue the discussion from each month’s meeting. 

Meeting Schedule 

September 24, 2023 — The Great Commission

• Readings (To be completed before the September meeting)
  • “The Supremacy of God among ‘All the Nations’” by John Piper from Let the Nations Be Glad
  • State of the World: The Task Remaining (Watch the 4:30 video and read the page)
• Country Profile Assignment
  • During this meeting, each member of the cohort will be placed in a group and each group will be assigned a country.
    

October 22, 2023 — The Church and Missions, Part One (International Church Planting)

• Readings (to be completed on your own before the October meeting)
  • “The Heart of the Christian Mission” from Planting Churches Cross-Culturally by David Hesselgrave
  • “What are the Essentials of a Local Church? Guidelines for Missionary Ecclesiology” by Zane Pratt
  • Radius Church Planting Outline from Radius International
• Country Profile Assignment (to be completed with your group before the October meeting)
  • Research the general culture of your assigned country and begin to research the status of evangelicalism.

November 26, 2023 — The Church and Missions, Part Two (Addressing Concerning Trends)

• Readings
  • Church Planting Movement Model vs the Proclamational Model (2 hours)
  • A Brief Guide to DMM by Chad Vegas
  • “What Could Be Wrong with ‘Church Planting’?” by Mack Stiles
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Read three news articles about current events in your country.

December 17, 2023 — Contextualization

• Readings
  • “Applied Anthropology in Missions” by Zane Pratt, Jeff Walters, and David Sills
  • “The C-Spectrum” by John Travis
  • “How Should We Think about Contextualization in Missions?” by Zane Pratt
  • “A City Under a Hill: Five Problems with Insider Movements” by Travis Myers
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Learn about the culture of your country. Find five ways that it is similar to our culture and five ways it is different.

January 28, 2024 — Cross-Cultural Communication

• Readings
  • “What is Intercultural Communication?” from Effective Intercultural Communication by A. Scott Moreau, Evvy Hay Campbell, and Susan Greener
  • “New Testament Missionary Communication” and “Communicating Clearly Today” from No Shortcut to Success by Matt Rhodes
  • ‘Jesus Is One of My Favorite Gods’: the Importance of Language by Brad Buser
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Learn about the culture of your country. Find five ways that it is similar to our culture and five ways it is different.

February 25, 2024 — Understanding Islam

• Readings
  • “Ten things every Christian should know about Islam” by Zane Pratt
  • Excerpts from Engaging with Muslims by John Klaassen
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Research religious demographics in your country — What do people believe? Why? What sects/flavors of major world religions are present? Have there been any big shifts in religious demographics? Why?

March 24, 2024 — Cross-Cultural Evangelism Night

During this meeting, we meet in Arlington, VA to share our faith with Muslim immigrants from countries within the 10-40 window.

April 28, 2024 — Understanding Catholicism and Animism

• Readings
  • “Traditional or Tribal Religions” from The Pocket Guide to World Religions
  • “Kingdom Theology: Introducing Animists to Christian Perspectives” from Communicating Christ to Animistic Contexts by Gailyn Van Rheenen
  • “What to Know Before Becoming a Missionary in Central Africa” by Jones Ndzi
  • “Roman Catholic Theology” by Gregg Allison
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Research traditional religions in your country. Is there widespread practice of animistic practices? What do they look like?

May 26, 2024 — Understanding Eastern Religions

• Readings
  • The Four Noble Truths (Buddhist perspective)
  • 4 Keys to Sharing the Gospel With Buddhists (Christian perspective)
  • Do You Know the Basics of Hinduism? (Christian perspective)
  • 12 Things You Need to Know About Hinduism (Hindu perspective)
  • 10 Issues for Discipling Hindu Background Believers Today
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Research development needs and business opportunities in your country.

June 23, 2023 — Counting the Cost

• Readings
  • David Platt, Radius Conference
  • John Piper on John Paton
  • 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:13
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Research the persecution of Christians in your country.

July 28, 2024 — Facing a Task Unfinished: Finding Your Place in God’s Heart for the World

• Readings
  • “A Better Way to Look at Missions” by Brooks Buser
  • “The State of Global Missions in 2024” by Zane Pratt
  • 10 questions a church should ask a mission agency
  • Take Your Job Overseas—Introducing Business for Missions by Andy Johnson
  • The Sign Says Closed: Four Key Questions about Missions in “Closed” Countries by Greg Mathias
• Country Profile Assignment
  • Create a plan, with your unique gifts, talents, and resources, for accessing this country long-term for the spread of the gospel.