MISSIONARY CHURCH HISTORY AND POLITY
An Independent Study Course for New Pastors in the Missionary Church

Required Course Materials
Internet Downloads:  

“The Missionary Church: From Radical Outcasts to the Wild Child of Anabaptism,”  Erdel, Dr. Timothy Paul, Illinois Mennonite Heritage, September 1997

“Marriage, Memory, and Mission: Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of the MCA/UMC Merger,” Erdel, Dr. Timothy Paul and Engbrecht, Dr. Dennis

“Merging and Diverging Streams: The Colorful and Complex History of the Missionary Church,” Engbrecht, Dennis, Ph.D.

“1883-1983, One Hundred Years of Historical Distinctives,” Engbrecht, Dennis D.

“EUSEBIUS HERSHEY: First Foreign Missionary,” Beals, Duane, Ph.D.

Video:  The Word, Revival and Evangelism: Historical Origins of the Missionary Church, 2005 - You may be able to borrow the video from your district office. You may purchase the video for $10 (including shipping) by contacting Terri Maucher at 260-747-2027.

Course Description

This course is designed to provide a brief overview of the historical development of the Missionary Church from the time of the Reformation to the present.  The course deals with various themes, major religious movements in Europe and America, and key personalities who have influenced the development of the Missionary Church.

Course Objective

As a result of this course the student should:

• Have a general appreciation for the historical roots of the Missionary Church.
• Be knowledgeable of the primary elements in the development of the Missionary Church.
• Be able to identify the major leaders in the history of the Missionary Church.
• Understand the distinctives of the Missionary Church (what makes it unique as a denomination).
• Complete a significant step toward PLI certification (for PLI students) and Missionary Church licensing eligibility.  

Course Procedure

This course may be completed online (preferred) or by the old-fashioned method using pen, paper, and US postal service. Following are directions for each method.

Electronic Version

• Using the links provided above, download and read the required articles.
• Download the exam by clicking here to use as a study guide for your reading and reviewing.
• Obtain a copy of the required video, The Word, Revival and Evangelism: Historical Origins of the Missionary Church. You may be able to borrow a copy from your district office. If not, the video is available to purchase for $10 (including shipping). Contact Terri Maucher by email (terrimaucher@mcusa.org) or phone (260-747-2027) to order the video.
• Use your word processor to complete the exam, replacing the bold aqua text with your answers. Save a copy to your computer.
• Submit your completed exam as an attachment in an email to HPcourse@mcusa.org. Please note: Your exam will not be processed until the $35 grading fee is received.
• The $35 grading may be paid by credit card online through PayPal OR by personal check made payable to Missionary Church, Inc., and mailed to:

H & P Course
P. O. Box 9127
Fort Wayne IN  46899-9127

Hard Copy (printed paper) Version

• Contact Diana Boyer by email (dianaboyer@mcusa.org) or phone (281-361-6956) to request printed versions of the required reading materials and blank exam form.
• Obtain a copy of the required video, The Word, Revival and Evangelism: Historical Origins of the Missionary Church. You may be able to borrow a copy from your district office. If not, the video is available to purchase for $10 (including shipping). Contact Terri Maucher by email (terrimaucher@mcusa.org) or phone (260-747-2027) to order the video.
• You may use the exam as a study guide as you read all the required articles and view the required video.
• Fill in your answers on the exam form.

• Mail your completed exam to:

Diana Boyer
5006 Walnut Hills Drive
Kingwood TX  77345 

• Mail a $35 (USD) check payable to Missionary Church, Inc., to:

H & P Course
P. O. Box 9127
Fort Wayne IN  46899-9127

    ·         Please note that your exam will not be processed until the grading fee is received.

Results of your exam will be sent to you, your district superintendent and, for PLI students, the Pastoral Leadership Institute.

Optional Reading

For additional reading the following list has been compiled.  This is not required reading.  It is simply intended to assist in the search for information regarding the Missionary Church.

Constitution of the Missionary Church  

Who We Are  

Gerber, Dr. Wayne, ed., Foundations: Teacher’s Manual, 2002 (scroll down the Web page)

Lageer, Eileen, Merging Streams, Elkhart, Indiana: Bethel Publishing Company, 1979.

Lugibihl, Walter H. and Jared F. Gerig.  The Missionary Church Association.  Berne, Indiana:  Economy Printing Center, 1950.

Storms, Everek R.  History of the United Missionary Church.  Elkhart, Indiana:  Bethel Publishing Co., 1958.

Designated Contact Information

Diana Boyer
5006 Walnut Hills Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-361-6956
dianaboyer@mcusa.org

HistoryPolity/Syllabus
Revised 09/10/2010