Empowerment: A New Generative Theme of Christian Mission in a Globalized World

Abstract

AbstractFacing the contemporary challenge of global capitalism, churches around the world need to consider the way they perform their mission. Three decades ago liberation movements and theologies played an important role in dealing with the negative impact of modernity that created a huge gap between the rich and the poor. It became what Schreiter calls one of ‘the global theological flows.’ However, we are now confronting a different kind of global reality. The very fact that all parts of the world are more and more connected because of the impact of globalization, and that in such a process of globalization the issue of power appears as a dominant theme challenges churches around the world to consider the issue of power in their mission strategy. Theologically we can find a source for constructing empowerment as a new generative theme of Christian mission in Jesus’ ministry.