Incarnational Ministry Research Articles

Gustavo Gutierrez and the Economic Realities of Africa: An African Theological Reflection

The purpose of this study is to find out how Gustavo Gutierrez used theological reflection and praxis to effectively impact the economic and social life of his home country, Peru and Latin America at large and to establish the lessons African theologians can imbibe from him. The methodology used was a secondary qualitative analysis of literature. In this regard the works of Gutierrez were reviewed. Key strands of African theological reflection were reviewed. The analysis of various perspectives was done to establish their respective impact on the socio-economic life of their people. The key findings are that African theologians were preoccupied with theological phenomenon at seminar and conference levels in coming up with various strands of African theological reflections. On the other hand, Gutierrez did his theological reflection from the point of view of the suffering poor thereby reflecting on what type of theology was needed to permanently change the narratives of the poor. The concluding lessons for African Theologians include a preferential option for the poor, social ministries in the Church should demonstrate incarnation, divine spirituality should entail a commitment to the poor and oppressed, and the establishment of concrete corrective actions. The importance of the Church Community in the divine enterprise for taking ample notice of the presence of the poor and working without fail to change their story. This is a scholarly contribution to harnessing the synergy among strands of African theology towards effective and practical advocacy and activities towards the eradication of abject poverty from Africa and the development of the continent. The paper contributes to the search for practical steps to reduce or end the abject poverty and poor development trajectory in Africa. Keywords: Theology, Economic, poverty, oppressed poor, incarnational ministry

Embodied interreligious engagement: Female gendered bodies, reconciliation, and sport in Djibouti

Foreign Christian women in Muslim-majority countries may experience gendered culture shock and various forms of insidious trauma. This is rarely addressed by organizations or individuals yet has a significant impact on women, their communities, and their work by causing a rupture in their concept of self, community, and God. This article argues that participation in sports as intentional embodied interreligious engagement offers potential for Christian and Muslim women to mutually discover valuable resources for reconciling what trauma ruptures, namely their relationship with their own bodies and their communities. The article first establishes the experience of gendered culture shock, sexual harassment, and insidious trauma, and reasons Christians may downplay their impact. It then develops the concept of an incarnational ministry of reconciliation. This is followed by looking at how intentional interreligious engagement must begin on neutral ground and identifies sports as one possibility for embodiment in interreligious engagement. The article concludes with suggestions for further research and ideas for further embodied interaction, moving toward deeper and more intentional interreligious engagement.

A theology of chaplaincy from below: changing the locus of theological agency

ABSTRACT The article argues that a theology of chaplaincy needs to identify, analyse, and evaluate the theological reflection undertaken by their chaplaincy clients. Chaplains, when questioned about their theological ideas, usually speak briefly about notions such as a ‘ministry of presence’ or ‘incarnational ministry or theology’ to explain and justify their commitment to the welfare and pastoral care of their clients. In our research project, we interviewed chaplaincy clients discussing with them their theological ideas. And what became apparent was that in the seafaring context, it is not only chaplains who are theological agents; theology is also being produced by the seafarers. Previously seafarers have been a neglected presence in any discussion of a theology of chaplaincy, as, in fact, have other clients be they patients in hospitals, prisoners, school pupils, or university students. We identified and vocalised this client theology and in the second half of the article, we explore the implications for a ‘theology of chaplaincy’ of listening to and dialoguing with the theology produced by chaplaincy clients. This includes a discussion of how we conceive of the chaplaincy space and what ethical questions are raised when the clients’ theology is taken seriously.

One of Their Own: Apostolic Religious Ministry on the Peripheries

Abstract: This article argues that, for apostolic religious, ministry on the peripheries is not primarily about what service religious have to offer but about becoming identified with the people on the peripheries to the extent that those on the peripheries can claim the religious as their own. Relying on Scripture, Lumen Gentium , and Vita Consecrata , the author argues that religious are called to radical conformity to Christ’s incarnational ministry. Case studies from the tea gardens of Bangladesh express the longings of those on the peripheries and support the argument.

Incarnational Librarians: Liaisons Moving into the Neighborhood

The concept of “incarnational ministry,” which is often taught in cross-cultural ministry or missions training, offers practical value to academic liaison librarianship, namely: getting out of the library and going to where the users are, being a life-long learner, and modeling humility during interactions with patrons.

Multilingualism in incarnational ministry: A quest to reach the neglected

Language is a critical tool for communication. This article uses the autoethnographic methodology to describe the author’s experience of language acquisition, which has influenced his understanding of multilingualism in incarnational ministry. He belongs to a missional order, InnerCHANGE, that uses an incarnational approach to ministry. InnerCHANGE understands incarnational ministry as a mission to meaningfully identify with people its members live among. InnerCHANGE’s membership is of diverse backgrounds culturally. Multilingualism within the order and in ministry contexts in a way that makes communication smooth is still an ideal rather than a reality. This article asks how multilingualism could positively contribute to InnerCHANGE’s quest for a meaningful incarnational approach. It found out that multilingualism could be a tangible act of equity and justice. It could also be a way to affirm diversity in a world that is constantly on a quest for a lingua franca, a contradiction to the event of Pentecost found in Acts 2. Finally, it could be an act of solidarity towards the valorisation of languages that some people see as inferior. It concludes by stressing that black Africans should be at the forefront of valorising their native languages in proudly using them and producing knowledge that could be shared with fellow Africans and non-Africans.Contribution: This article intends to contribute to the ongoing debate on the relation of the gospel to culture. Its focus is on language, which is one of the components of a culture.

Making sense of the COVID-19 disruptions in incarnational ministry using Micah 6:8 as an interpretive framework

This is a case study reflecting on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruptions on InnerCHANGE South Africa (ICSA hereafter), an incarnational ministry. Incarnation ministry is understood as an intentional effort to join God in the world, especially a community of poverty, live among the residents of that community, affirm their dignity and compassionately love them. This understanding is based on the values of justice activism, merciful love, and discipleship found in Micah 6:8. This article uses an interpretive framework based on the latter biblical passage to reflect on how the disruptions of COVID-19 has shaped the ICSA team. This reflection is guided by the question: how have the disruptions caused by COVID-19 challenged the relevance of incarnational ministry? This article found that in the case of ICSA, the disruptions have not only broadened its justice activism, but they have also taught it the importance of relief actions in its approach. They have also deepened its understanding of sabbath in connection with environmental care. They have exposed its local leadership development model bias against women. They have finally challenged it to adopt a hybrid model of virtual and face-to-face meetings in its discipleship efforts. The article concludes that disruptions are very challenging. However, they could be an opportunity to revisit and sharpen the existing priorities of an incarnational ministry. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This is a missiological research that is enriched by insights from ecology, other fields of theology and journalism to imagine the relevance of an incarnational ministry in exceptional seasons.

A Practical-Prophetic-Pastoral Exemplar: An Extended Homily on the Ministry and Writings of Percy Dearmer

AbstractAn extended homily or meditation that focuses on some aspects of the life and work of Percy Dearmer. Dearmer, in his pastoral attentiveness, irenic prophetic action, and practical Christianity, sought to continue a distinctive English Anglican tradition of faithfully fulfilling his vocation through a richly incarnational ministry.

The Mandate Of Making Disciples: Teaching As Incarnational Ministry

This paper discusses how the Church can achieve the goal of discipleship through an “incarnational” model of teaching. It argues that teaching in the Church should be incarnational so as to realize transformation in the lives of people. Incarnation is used in the sense of the word of God which the Christian leader has been commanded to teach, becomes flesh and makes a dwelling among the people so that the learner can behold the glory of the word being lived out in human life. The Pastoral ministry must engage in teaching so that learners can become new creations who demonstrate the nature of Christ. In discipleship, the pastor acts as the teacher of teachers, equipping the laity so that they can teach others. Teaching, a key aspect in Christian education, is at the heart of discipleship. As such, for the teaching ministry to be incarnate, it must identify with Jesus Christ. What is preached and taught must become flesh in the teacher’s own life and help the learner to behold the glory of Jesus the Christ. Keywords: Discipleship, Pastoral ministry, Incarnational ministry, Christian education, teaching

The Problem with "Incarnational Ministry": What If Our Mission Is Not to "Be Jesus" to Other Cultures but to Join with the Holy Spirit?

The Problem with "Incarnational Ministry": What If Our Mission Is Not to "Be Jesus" to Other Cultures but to Join with the Holy Spirit?

Fleshed Out: The False Dilemma of Union with Christ versus Incarnational Ministry

Fleshed Out: The False Dilemma of Union with Christ versus Incarnational Ministry

Theology and Butterflies: A Reflection on Finding Hope in Urban Ministry

This article is a theological reflection based on personal experience of ministry in an urban church during a very difficult time. Key themes are about the implications of incarnational ministry, and about the searching for hope and meaning by local people as well as the "professionals."

Relationality as the Objective of Incarnational Ministry: A Reexamination of the Theological Foundations of Adolescent Ministry

This article reexamines the theological foundation for relational/incarnational ministries to adole cents. It proposes that the methodologies of American organizations like Young Life have not recognized the depth and theological importance of relationality and sociality. The article examines the concepts of relationality and sociality and points youth ministry and the whole church to their theological poignancy. The article ultimately proposes that relationships between adolescents and adult advocates should not serve as a means to a greater end, but in and of themselve are theologically the greater goal.

Incarnational Ministry and Christology: A Reappropriation of the Way of Lowliness

This essay seeks to show that the critics of incarnational ministry point to missiological problems that are ultimately christological in origin. Examining the work of Orlando Costas as an example, this essay argues that he follows Jürgen Moltmann in decisive ways that undermine his attempt to ground positive norms beyond being “with” the poor and oppressed. In contrast, theological and missiological reflection on the Incarnation should take the path of Chalcedon with a two-natures Christology, without a “mixture” of natures. Karl Barth in particular shows the theological and missiological potential of a Chalcedonian Christology, which maintains the biblical challenge toward the way of lowliness while recovering the vivifying direction for the Christian life and mission.

Embracing a people: the joy of incarnational ministry.

Embracing a people: the joy of incarnational ministry.

Book Review: Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant and Urban Societies

Book Review: Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant and Urban Societies

Book Review: Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant, and Urban Societies

Book Review: Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant, and Urban Societies

A Model for Analysis of Incarnational Ministry in Post-Christendom Lands

Why are Western Protestant missionaries who work in areas of the world where Christian churches date back many centuries so ineffective? Is it really necessary and unavoidable that we be seen as members of sectarian and cultist groups by the post-Christendom peoples we seek to win for Christ? This article considers the ways in which our missional paradigm and ministry methods combine to shape the way we are perceived by others. Based on lessons learned from years of ministry in France, it provides conceptual glasses through which we may discover new perspectives on the incarnation of the gospel in countries marked by Christendom.