Theology Of Mission Research Articles

Spirit-led Missions

Abstract A rigorous approach to missions is a significant trait of classical Pentecostalism. However, the multi-cultural context of the United Kingdom shows that most African Pentecostal churches are struggling to attract much indigenous populace as compared to mega-churches in Africa. Using the case study of Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministries UK, this study explores the church’s strategies to missions and its impact on church growth in the United Kingdom. The study used Spirit-infusion as a theological framework for discussing Spirit-led missions. The study is phenomenological observation qualitative research, data was gathered through in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and participant observations. A key finding was that the church’s missions strategy is spontaneous, all-believers, auxiliary and structured; but they are failing to translate into church growth. The study concludes that the church should revisit the issue of ‘experience’ coupled with negotiating to move beyond the cultural, ethnic, and colonial boundaries. The study recommends that the African Pentecostal theology of missions in diasporic contexts must consider: the Spirit experience; lives concentrated to the Spirit; Spirit of miracles; and Spirit of excellence.

Transforming Lord’s Supper: Indonesian Protestant Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract By focusing on the issue of the Lord’s Supper, this article explores the contextual theological responses of three Protestant churches in the eastern part of Indonesia towards the Covid-19 pandemic. The article argues that discourses on the Lord’s Supper in response to the pandemic reflected the mission theology of these communities in terms of their beliefs (doctrine) and practices (rites, structures, order, community). Through online interviews and document analysis, the researcher discovered that churches made significant contextual transformations during the first period of the pandemic. The pandemic challenged these churches to make significant theological responses to fulfill their mission. They changed traditional rituals to adapt to distancing guidelines. In contrast to the belief in the importance of church buildings, the homes of church members were transformed into church-centers. Solidarity among congregational members was stronger than before the pandemic, with ways for members to contact and support each other from home.

Brief introductions to Anglican theology: Christian mission

This essay explores changing understandings of Anglican mission from the nineteenth century to the present. Three periods are identified. First, when mission was practiced “over there” (in the period before World War II), then when mission was understood in terms of mutuality (in the postwar era), and finally when mission was understood as being everywhere (from the end of the Cold War to the present). The essay pays attention to shifting theological rationales for mission and demonstrates how ecclesiology and eschatology are critical themes for Anglicans in relation to mission. The essay concludes with suggestions for Anglican mission theology and how ecclesiological and eschatological emphases can be combined in a mutually enriching fashion.

Das Evangelium im postchristlichen Europa verkünden

Summary As a result of the process of secularisation, Christians in Europe are increasingly becoming a minority. Therefore, European churches are challenged to develop appropriate innovative models of contextualisation for the gospel instead of swerving into nostalgic retrospection or uncritically adopting theological approaches from other continents. This article presents the contextual pole of such a model, which consists of three areas: aesthetics, ethics and ecclesiology; they match people's aesthetic and ethical needs, and their desire for truth, manifested in the search for the legitimacy of one's actions in a group. Each area is assigned an adequate theological source that enables contextual correlation: aesthetics, the ambiguous imagery from Revelation; ethics, the theology of mission of the First Letter of Peter; and ecclesiology, the call to the disciples in Matthew 5 to ‘be salt and light’. This ideal-typical model perceives the increasing aestheticisation of society as a dominant cultural feature and uses it as a starting point for a process of contextualisation. The context pole is determined by the anthropological dynamic which leads from the ‘beautiful’ to the ‘good’ and from the ‘good’ to the ‘true.

Questions of Context: Reading a Century of German Mission Theology

A review essay of John G. Flett and Henning Wrogemann, Questions of Context: Reading a Century of German Mission Theology. This work is a carefully selected and edited collection of German mission writing of roughly the past century. The texts selected address mission contextualization, that is, ecumenical interactions among different sectors of World Christianities as they pertain to mission. Together the readings, along with the editors’/authors’ commentary, show the history and content of German missiological approach(es) to contextualized mission. As such, it is a textbook appropriate for courses in the theology of mission, religious pluralism, intercultural theology, and World Christianity.

영등포산업선교회 조지송의 산업선교 역사와 선교신학적 해석

The aim of the thesis is to suggest the history of the industrial mission done by Ji-song Jo of the Youngdeungpo Urban Industrial Mission from 1964 to 1979, to interpret his industrial mission from the perspective of theology of mission, and to learn from his industrial mission. His industrial mission consisted of three periods: the industrial evangelism conducted by laypeople, the industrial mission done by the union, and the industrial mission done by small group activities. His industrial mission was interpreted as incarnation, the missio Dei, presence, diakonia, and a community of clowns, and explained from the perspective of salvation, money and union ecclesiology. From his industrial mission, we can learn about subjects such as thorough education of ministers for the industrial mission, the industrial mission as presence, and the effectiveness of living words for education.

THE WESLEYAN SYNTHESIS RECONSIDERED

This article purpose finds what is “the Wesleyan synthesis,” and will also briefly revisit the much-discussed Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Wesley effectively combined in thought and practice these five elements, namely: (1) Divine sovereignty and human freedom, (2) Doctrine and experience, (3) Experience and structure, (4) Charismatic and institutional elements, and (5) Present and future salvation. This article argues that this synthesis is powerful, but also that it is biblical. In fact, the reason this synthesis is powerful is that it faithfully embodies the revealed truth of Scripture. The results of the Wesleyan synthesis are drawing three general conclusions. First, Wesley's theology was broader and more profound than has often been realized. Second, Wesley's theology can help us develop a biblical understanding of culture and culture change. Third, Wesley's theology is thus an open invitation to continue to develop a theology of church, mission, and culture that is profoundly biblical and sharply relevant to the present age.

The Prevailing Theology of Mission and Practice of SIM Missionaries between 1893-1950

The Prevailing Theology of Mission and Practice of SIM Missionaries between 1893-1950

“Accompanying Migrants” as a Touchstone of the Realisation of the Synodal Church Idea. A Canonist’s Remarks

“Synodality is a style, it is walking together, and it is what the Lord expects of the Church in the third millennium” (Francis). The specific motto and wording of this study in the quoted “programme” thought of Pope Francis, articulated in the Address to Members of the International Theological Commission (2019). The Pope expresses appreciation for the extensive work of the Commission crowned with the “theological clarification” of the mentioned idea, and above all by demonstrating the importance in the perception of the mission of the Church today. If, in the opinion of the Holy Father, factual and competent expert argumentation, step by step, reveals the truth that “a synodal Church is a Church of participation and co-responsibility,” such a determination cannot remain without impact on the praxis of undertaking the most serious pastoral challenges of the present time — on various levels of realization: local, regional, and universal, including ecumenical commitment. This applies in its entirety to the creation of strategies and specific actions of the Church towards the growing phenomenon of human mobility, especially in its forms that manifest themselves as dramatic and devastating to families and individuals. What we mean here is the Church’s multi-track postulate — or more precisely: communion, synodal — efficiency (with its determinants: dynamics, efficiency, effectiveness), for which in 2016 Francis coined the term: “accompanying migrants”. Consequently, in recent years there have been a number of normative and operational activities of the present successor of St. Peter, which in our time — rightly called: “the era of migration” (Francis) — set a new trend of clothing/embellishing the aforementioned critical area of salus animarum with synodal accents. As it is showed in the study, a canonist, with the horizon of the principle of ius sequitur vitam before his eyes, cannot remain passive towards the pressing challenges delineated here. Indeed, within the orbit of the study of canon law a weighty question appears — what conclusions of a canonical nature stem from the “millennium” project of the realization of the Synodal Church Idea.

Following Jesus Christ. Understanding Orthodox Mission Today, in Theory and Praxis

"The following article examines the notion of mission linked to discipleship and witness to Christ. It highlights the basics of Orthodox Theology of Mission according to the Orthodox heritage and modern theological thinking, taking also into consideration catholicity and unity in space and time. It discusses the reemergence of missionary awareness in the late 20th century and the problems facing our missional theology in pluralistic modern times. It concludes by examining the actual possibilities and shortcomings of Orthodox mission in the 21st century as well as recent initiatives to re-energize missionary vision and missiological scholarship in the Orthodox churches. Keywords: preaching, missionary methodology, adaptation, martyria, migration "

Frå Edinburgh til verdas ende: Utviklingstrekk i fortolkinga av kyrkjas misjonsoppdrag, 1910-2010, i lys av to talar

This article compares one speech held in Edinburgh, 1910 with one held in Cape Town, 2010, both by important Norwegian Church leaders. With the help of a focused rhetorical analysis of the two speeches and a comparison of the implicit mission theology of the two speeches, we aim to trace some signi#cant developments in how the Church’s mission and the ecumenical task is perceived. Whereas General Secretary of Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) Lars Dahle gives some advice concerning the code and conduct of Christian missionaries and their responsibility to act with one voice when facing the pagan governments (1910), World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Olav Fykse Tveit, underlines that the Church was mainly an instrument for creating peace and reconciliation. Dahle’s speech can be understood in light of a desire to reach all people with the gospel. Tveit’s speech on the other hand, re!ects the modern ecumenical movement that had developed from the Mission assembly in Edinburgh 1910 hundred years later.

From the reign of terror to the reign of peace: The role of state, religions and church in God’s mission amidst terror

Terrorism in the name of religion continues to occur in various places around the world. Religious motives are often used as the basis for acts of terrorism. This article studies whether the roots of violence in religions tend to encourage terrorism and how religions, especially, Christianity can take part to overcome terrorism. In the first part, it examined the roots of violence, specifically in three world religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The second part discusses the role of the state and religions in combating terrorism. In the third part, this article offers a theology of mission amidst terror and how the church participates in this calling. Religion cannot be used to justify terrorism; therefore, there is a need for theology of mission to give a theological basis towards peace. Religions together with the state take part to combat terrorism. This research is limited to the three religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This article utilised literature research. It also specifically included the context of Indonesia.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article considers political and socio-economic factors besides religious motives that cause terrorism. This article challenges theology of mission amidst the terror and contributes to practical theology such as the role of the state and religions, specifically Christianity on the role of the church towards peace.

(Any?) New Approaches in The Theology of Mission

(Any?) New Approaches in The Theology of Mission

Research on Pacifistic Mission Theology of John Yoder

Research on Pacifistic Mission Theology of John Yoder

지속 가능한 선교 관점에서 본 한국선교 전략 고찰

Korean missionary work moved forward along with the growth of Korean churches and the economy. During the 19th century, Korea shifted from labor-intensive industries to manufacturing industries. Now, in Fourth Industrial Revolution, Korea is responding strategically to industries in all nations. Undoubtedly Korean churches grew significantly in the past few decades. However, the Korean missionary strategy sought to transplant the Korean pastoral method rather than establishing a missionary theology suitable for the site. It lacked collaboration and rejected funding in real estate for mission purposes. Problems remain despite the immens growth of Korea. Therefore, Korean missionary strategies to achieve sustainable missionary work in the New Normal era are contemplated in this study.

하나님 나라를 세우는 한국교회의 성육신적 제자도 선교

This article studies how the Korean church, which has lost its social credibility, will restore it and carry out missionary works. It first examins the sources of mission theology that led to the loss of social trust. This was the establishment of a spiritual church and individualistic soul winning mission emphasized by the Presbyterian Missions in Korea. This policy caused conflicts with Koreans. In addition, this article studies missionary Elisabeth J. Shepping, R.N. 1912-1934, who emphasized both soul and social salvation, and further the missionary characteristics of Korean leaders who exchanged interactions with her. This article looks at how these characteristics are discussed in Lausanne and WCC documents which appear as peripheral mission, transformative holism, and incarnational discipleship mission. This article discusses their application to the Korean church.

Calvin, Bucer and missionary opportunities in times of crises

In this article it is argued that insights gleaned from John Calvin’s and Martin Bucer’s missionary passion and vision are relevant to contemporary missional churches in times of crises. First, Calvin’s manifold personal crises in the 16th-century context were explored historically. Subsequently, modern missiologists and historians’ views were critically engaged to ascertain how we could properly interpret the Reformers’ missionary vision without drawing oversimplified and anachronistic conclusions. The widespread misrepresentations that often downplay the Reformers’ resilient missionary vision were invalidated by explicating their lucid mission-mindedness during their time. It is indicated that much can be learned from their identity and practices as missionary pastors expanding the mission through pastoral care. The current COVID-19 pandemic and its deep impact present the global church with an opportunity to recommit itself to its essential missionary calling. Although Calvin or his colleagues did not create a complete theology of mission, the conclusion was made (through a thorough literature study and primary sources investigation) that their whole theology and Christian life had a missionary core. This challenges churches from a Reformed background today to critically reclaim their tradition and to mould their future missional identity from the roots up, crises and all.Contribution: The lack of attention to John Calvin and his company of pastors’ mission-minded theology and practice presents a contemporary challenge to the field of mission studies. This article expounded the often overlooked significance of the Reformers’ essentially missionary theology and practice. This was done through a historical investigation, which eventually contributes relevant, contemporary insights from the 16th century to mission studies and missional churches today.

Missionary theology and the peopling of pre-Columbian America: John Oxenbridge’s “A plea for the dumb Indian” (ca. 1666)

John Oxenbridge was a 17th-century Puritan minister who lived in England, Bermuda, Suriname, Barbados, and New England. During his residence in Suriname, a short-lived English colony, he wrote a missionary treatise he entitled “A plea for the dumb Indian.” The work was never published and survives partially in non-digitalized manuscript form at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston. One of the intact portions of the manuscript is a discussion of the settlement of pre-Columbian America. Oxenbridge held that the Native Americans were descended from ancient Scythians, the semi-nomadic and “uncivilized” peoples of the vast Eurasian Steppe, who had entered America through “Anian,” an early modern designation for the region around the Bering Strait. He also thought that two other peoples later settled in pre-Columbian America: Welsh adventurers sailed across the Atlantic but soon intermarried with the Native Americans and disappeared as a distinct people, and some of the lost tribes of Israel entered the New World through Anian. These lost Israelites still survived and continued to observe the Mosaic Law. They never intermarried with the Native Americans; however, they passed on a “tincture of Israels customs” to their Indian neighbors. Oxenbridge’s discussion of the peopling of pre-Columbian America may seem like an antiquarian curiosity of little interest to historians of Christian missions. But for him it remained relevant to the present day. The Welsh migration, which he thought predated Spanish and French colonization, legitimated the English imperial claim in America. More importantly, the presence of lost Israelites in Scythian America would facilitate the conversion of the Native Americans.

Ecological Challenges and Injustice from a Missiological Perspective

Coupled with ecological challenges, injustice such as unfair resource distribution and exploitation over nature and the poor has been disproportionately inflicted upon the powerless. As we look at the nexus of ecological challenges and injustice, we find establishing social sustainability like redressing the issues of injustice is closely linked with attaining environmental sustainability. This paper attempts to look into the nexus of ecological challenges and injustice from a missiological perspective. In a missiological paradigm, a biblical concept of justice for the poor and the integrity of creation help us understand the relations of ecological challenges and injustice and offer insights into how to address these two interlinked issues. This article has academic significance of expanding the horizon of mission theology in linking missiology and environmental issues.

METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE RESEARCH OF PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGIANS IN THE NATIONAL PEDAGOGICAL DRAGOMANOV UNIVERSITY

Within the framework of cooperation of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University with Protestant seminaries and their associations, more than ten defenses of dissertations on Pentecostalism took place. These defenses prove that Pentecostal theologians were able to overcome the closed nature of their own tradition to the development of theology. The ideological leadership of Protestant theology in Ukraine, especially Pentecostal theology, became possible due to the assimilation and development of the best methodological achievements of Western theology of the beginning of the 21st century. Ukrainian Pentecostal theologians actively use the methodology of theological hermeneutics, taking into account the achievements of post-liberal and post-conservative Western theology, modern biblical studies, mission theology and eschatology. The central point for the entire methodology was the recognition of the narrative character of the religious ideology. The analysis of narratives is complemented by the research of key narrative concepts, the research of the interaction of narrative theology and other post-metaphysical methodologies. The vision of the history of Christianity and the history of theology as processes characterized by periodic paradigm shifts allows us to conceptualize narratives and then create new narratives about these stories and about the prospects of both Christianity and theology. A particularly great achievement is the systematic presentation of the history of the Pentecostal movement as the history of communities that have special narratives, cultivate special virtues, and use special narrative concepts.