7. Christian communities in contemporary contexts

Conveners

Dr. Afe Adogame, University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr. Philomena Mwaura, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
In close association with Erica Dunmow of the JITC UK Urban Mission Congress Executive

Aims and objectives

This study focuses on the variety of Christian communities as they draw on different traditions and engage with specific contexts. It takes cognisance of such issues as urbanisation, immigrant communities, migrant workers, affluence, poverty and virtual worlds. It notes underlying forms of Christian expression including such concepts as world view, language, customs, traditions, inculturation, transformation, etc.

The group has examined ways in which churches can become holistic healing and reconciling communities, expressing both the welcoming and the transforming character of Christ´s gospel. It has been exploring what is involved in deep-level conversion.

Key issues and questions 

1.  How do adjectives of Christian community such as discipling, healing, witnessing, contextual become lived realities in today´s world?
2.  What is involved in being the church in the cities and mega-cities of today?
3.  How can the local church be an agent of the kingdom of God and a source of healing and reconciliation?
4.  What is the true identity (the `core DNA´) of the church? How does it manifest itself in different denominations and cultures?
5.  Ethnicity - the tension between homogenous and multi-ethnic churches.
6.  Church life in Diaspora communities.
7.  HIV/AIDS - does Christian mission bear some responsibility for the spread of the virus? How can mission contribute to the struggle to stop the pandemic?
8.  What other forms of ill-health call for particular attention from practitioners of Christian mission?

• Work of the Edinburgh 2010 study group on 'Christian Communities in Contemporary Contexts'
• Edinburgh 2010 East Africa consultation on 'Christian communities in contemporary contexts'
• Contribution to Theme 7 of the Instituto Latinamericano de Misionologia, Cochabamba, Bolivia
• Report (pdf file) submitted to Theme 7 by Jesus in the City. For further information about see the Urban Mission website
• Paper submitted by Rev. Danilo Azuela Borlado, a Filipino ministering in Hong Kong, 'An ecclesiological reflection in the context of powerlessness and vulnerability'.
• Paper by Wout van Laar given to a meeting of the leaders of European Ecumenical Mission Councils, Hamburg, 4-6 February 2009, 'The South moving North: The need of a new paradigm of mission'