Christ Must Increase: New Horizons in Mission and the Influence of the Spirit

Abstract

Much is now being made of the fact that the numerical strength of the church is in the global south. This development raises important questions and critical issues for institutions like the Oxford Center for Mission Studies that are dedicated to serving world Christianity but in particular to resource that of the global south with quality theological education. Formal theological education developed early in the West but with time many institutions have come to pursue it as a mere academic discipline rather than a means for resourcing churches. New horizons must emerge and be pursued. The missing link in such education is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. He is the only Person who can fill the church with life so that Christ will increase as the church seeks to become his aroma in the world. This address extends a call to those benefitting from formal theological education to remain aware that without the experiential aspects of it mediated by the Spirit, it may be impossible for the church to live in the world as the Church of Christ.