I have recently undertaken a study as part of my MA in missiology of the international mission conferences of the 1900′s, in order to take stock of the various understandings and approaches to mission of the last 100 years.
From my reading and research I have written a brief summary and analysis of the issues which shaped these conferences which still pose pertinant questions for our time.
For the purposes of the assignment my research was also focused on the implications of the various understandings of mission and evangelism on a typical British sub-urban context of the kind many of our churches find themselves. (The paper may still be of use/interest if you are not in that context).
The material may not be new to you, nor the conclusions drawn that surprising, but I hope at the very least this paper will serve as a useful short summery of the last 100 years of mission thinking! Like me, you may then find this background a valuable foundation on which we can build an emerging mission paradigm for our time and context(s).
As ever, comments and insights of your own are more than welcome, but particularly on this occasion as I hope to develop the conclusions of this assignment for further MA research.
happy exploring,
The Unlikely Evangelist
Towards a Theology of Mission – March 2008
Excellent article Mike, with your permission I would like to use it as the focus for a discussion group.
As a young at heart 50 something!! I also feel out of step with the church regarding Mission. The traditional model of church is so entrenched in the heart and mind of many. Bums on seats been the emphasis and raising those much needed funds to keep decaying churches afloat.
Contextual theology, a purpose I believe dear to Jesus’ heart, does not readily get past the average member, who cannot even talk to the people in the church not part of their clique! Am I been too hard, I think not.
However as ministers we need to take some responsibility for this. How many of us , help, support, encourage, equip and empower our members to have the confidence to talk about their faith to ech other, let alone outside of the church. We all realise that education and knowledge is not enough, it takes much more. Are we as ministers even committed to this? How many actively engage in their wider communities -I hope most, but sometimes wonder.
I hope that this paper encourgaes more churches to use it as a discussion point and then to think creatively and imaginatively about its overall mission statement.
Keep it up Mike and good luck in the final dissertation.
Blessings Helga