This course unit shows how the understanding and practice of mission has evolved throughout the centuries in response to the changing needs of the world. It introduces students to the contemporary theological understandings and entry points for mission.
For many, mission is synonymous with proclamation or evangelism. While proclamation has remained constant and urgent throughout the history of the Church’s mission, the demands, trends and insights into mission have changed over the centuries as the needs of the world have changed. It is critical to realise this, to map the changes and to discern the new missionary activities needed today.
For many also, mission is synonymous with missionaries travelling to nations other than their own; hence, mission is cross-cultural. Of course this view needs to be challenged. The Church’s mission is to make disciples of Christ, at home as in other nations.
Over time the role of the Church’s evangelising mission, which is international in nature, has also changed in several important ways. To begin with, the direction of travel has changed dramatically. During the 19th and much of the 20th centuries missionaries travelled from the developed nations of Europe, North America and Australia to less developed nations such as Africa, Asia and South America. Missionary travel in that direction has not ceased, yet now, the majority of missionaries travel from those ‘developing’ nations to other nations, including many in Europe, North America and Australia.
During the 20th century the duration of the trips has also changed. Initially, most missionaries relocated for many years. Today, there is an emphasis on short-term trips (STMs) of a few days, weeks or occasionally months, with most missionaries not learning the language of those they are trying to reach, nor the culture. Currently, millions of Christians are undertaking STMs each year at a cost of billions of dollars annually. Biblical stewardship demands that the effectiveness of this be evaluated. It is for these, and other reasons, why the study of the Church’s evangelising mission is not only interesting and rewarding, but essential.