Many things spring to mind when the words mission and missions are used. How are these words the same and how are they different? Many people, particularly from an evangelical Christian perspective, will have heard of the ‘Great Commission’ to make disciples of all nations but what does this look like in the twenty-first century? What has changed over the last two hundred years during the era of modern missions? Importantly, what challenges and changes lie ahead for world missions?
This comprehensive introductory unit will aim to answer these and related questions. The unit provides an overview of what is often confusing missiological language. It explores the biblical, theological and historical contours of missiology while also considering the practical challenge of applying missiological principles in various contexts. Particular attention is given to how the student may become involved in the missionary endeavour. The missionary movement today is highly diverse and that diversity and complexity only promises to increase in the decades ahead. The question is, how should we go about discipling the nations and loving our intercultural neighbours?