Rev. Rudolph H. Pasaribu has submitted this perspective on the challenges and opportunities of Christian mission among other faiths from a grassroots perspective in Indonesia.

"Mission at and from the Margins" was the title of a colloquium held at the Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad, india on 23-27 September 2009. An illustrated report of the event is now available to download and is attached here. 

The event brought together about 20 scholars who have been working on issues related to Dalit Christian experience in Andhra Pradesh. As well as theological and historical approaches, their research includes ethnographic field work in local villages. They are attempting to recover the Dalit agency and agenda in Christian missions and draw the implications of this agency for the ecumenical imagination of church´s mission in the world today. The conveners of the study are: Rev. Joseph Prabhakar Dayam, Rev. I. P. Asheervadam and Rev. Dr. Peniel Jesudas Rufus Rajkumar.

Dr Malcolm I Hunter, a long-term missionary and specialist in ministry to nomadic peoples has contributed the attached paper, 'All people on earth', under this theme. 

Download papers (in Spanish) from the Latin American Theological Fellowship Regional Consultation for Mexico, Central America, Panama and Caribbean in San José, Costa Rica on 6-7 August 2009 from this site through this link, by kind permission of the presenters and LATF.

The papers of the conference of the European Pentecostal Charismatic Research Association (EPCRA) are available for download, by kind permission, at http://www.edinburgh2010.org/en/study-themes/regional-and-confessional-study-processes/pentecostal-perspectives-epcra-conference.html.

The conference addressed Edinburgh 2010 themes: 2. Christian Mission among Other Faiths; 4. Mission and Power; and 8. Mission and Unity.

The photo shows the delegates at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Oxford, UK on 12-15 August 2009.

Rev. Beno A. Enose, Fatimanagar, K.K. District, Tamil Nadu, India has submitted on the attached reflection on the vision of Bishop Azariah, a delegate at Edinburgh 1910. He suggests that, following Azariah's example, 2010 should usher in an era of ecumenical unity and Christian leadership in a nation free from caste and other social evils.

The Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries annually hosts an “International Visitor” providing Majority World voices to the Canadian Church. In 2009 there were three “visitors” representing voices from the Global South, Canadian First Nations, and Canada. At the 2009 Canadian Theological Students Conference these three entered into a series of ‘trialogues’. The visitors were the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth S. Tapia, a Filipina Theologian, Bishop Mark L. MacDonald, the Anglican Church of Canada’s first National Indigenous Bishop, and Rev. Dr. Russell Daye, a Canadian theologian and United Church of Canada Minister, who has also served as UCC International Personnel in Fiji. Over the course of the conference, in February of 2009, each of the three keynotes was a combination of a short lecture by one of the International Visitors, conversation between all three, and dialogue with the audience. The conference took the Edinburgh 2010 Theme 4 Mission and Power as its theme.

A transcript of the 'trialogue is attached here. The picture shows the three 'visitors'.

“Mission – backwards looking or on the rise? 99 years after the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh” was the theme of the conference organised jointly by the German Association for Mission Studies (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft) the Protestant Academy (Evangelische Academie) at Loccum, near Hanover on 14-16 September 2009. About 90 scholars and practitioners discussed the legacy of Edinburgh 1910 and the meaning and practice of mission today.

A report of the event by Dr Michael Biehl of the Missionacademie of the University of Hamburg is attached here.

Rev. Danilo Azuela Borlado is a Filipino ministering in Hong Kong. In the attached paper he reflects on the condition of vulnerability in which migrant workers find themselves in their host countries. In particular, he focuses on the experiences of the Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong, most of whom are women domestic helpers. The paper is posted here by kind permission of the author.

The Latin American Theological Fraternity, led by Ruth Padilla de Borst, has held a series of events on the topic of 'Mission and power'. These include:

June 22-25, 2009 in San José, Costa Rica

Consultation on Mission and Power in North-South relations.

This three day by-invitation-only consultation brought together a small group of Christian historians from Latin America and North America under the auspices of Conference of Faith and History and the Institute for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education in Latin America.

July 25, 2009 in Santiago, Chile

Consultation on Church, Mission and Power in Chile.

With 33 participants from the local chapters of the Latin American Theological Fellowship in Valparaíso, Concepción, Osorno, Temuco, Valdivia and Santiago.

August 6-7, 2009 in San José, Costa Rica

Regional Consultation for Mexico, Central America, Panama and Caribbean

With 60 participants from 10 different countries, the topic developed was Church, Power and Mission in Latin America Today. The use and abuse of power was deal with both in relation to internal church relations, leadership and such and in relation to Christian presence in the broader socio-political sphere. Also, during this consultation, a letter was drafted condemning the queue in Honduras and calling for a peaceful solution to the conflict. Close to twenty papers were presented and processed in plenaries and groups.

These papers are being posted weekly on the LATF website (www.ftl-al.org) and people are being invited to interact on the issues raised.

September 4, 2009 in San José, Costa Rica

A small gathering of people from CLAI related churches gathered as a final step in the reflexion process they have been involved in on different Edinburgh study themes.

September 26, 2009 in Dominican Republic

National Consultation LATF

Church, Power and Mission in the DR today.

The same will be repeated in Peru and Brazil (dates to be confirmed).

Further details of all these activities are in the attached file.

The Instituto Latinoamericano de Misionologia, part of the Universidad Catolica Boliviana, Cochabamba, Bolivia has sent five papers (in Spanish) for the Edinburgh 2010 study process. You can see a summary in English and download papers at the following link: http://www.edinburgh2010.org/en/study-themes/main-study-themes/9-mission-spirituality-and-authentic-discipleship/bolivian-study.html.

The East African group working on Theme 7 Christain Communities in Contemporary Contexts, led by Dr Philomena Mwaura, have submitted the report of their conference in Nairobi in May, which is attached here.

Also by kind permission of EMW, the keynote address 'Mission und Macht' by Rev. Jacques Matthey, Director of the World Council of Churches programme on 'Mission, Unity, Evangelism and Spirituality', given (in German) at the conference in Freundenstadt, is attached here.

By kind permission of EMW, The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany, its 2009 yearbook, 'Mission between Power and Powerlessness' (in German), is attached here for download.

A subgroup of the Commission for World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches has been working on Theme 8 'Mission and unity - ecclesiology and mission' for two years. The paper attached is the result of their deliberations which is offered to the Edinburgh 2010 study process.

A sub-group of the Commission for World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches has been working on Theme 9 'Mission spirituality and authentic spirituality' for the last two years. They have prepared the attached paper as their contribution to Edinburgh 2010.

Dr Afe Adogame, Convener of Theme 7 Christian Communities in Contemporary Contexts, has sent the following report:

Theme 7 has its focus on the key themes: Poverty, suffering and marginalized communities - the challenge that it presents to the Church; HIV/AIDS, the Church and Mission; Christianity and socio-political action; Identity, Gender and Power; Globalization and the reproduction of hierarchies; the interface of migration, diaspora and ethnicity; Reverse mission dynamics.

The Study Group comprises 15-20 core members drawn from all continents and diverse Christian traditions. In investigating the above-mentioned themes we have sought to incorporate the views of academics, researchers, church leaders, religious NGOs, as well as policy makers. We are convinced that such a multidimensional perspective is necessary for critical thinking about how missions is articulated and practiced in contemporary contexts and also to seek new directions for engagement in Christian Mission in the 21st century.   

To date we have successfully held two consultations. A one-day Workshop was held on December 5, 2008 with 20 participants drawn mainly from the leadership of churches of immigrant/diaspora communities in Scotland. Papers/discussions at this seminar focused on ‘Challenges in Urban Mission’, ‘Understanding the Impact of Power Dynamics’; and ‘Gender and Youth’. The second, much larger consultation was a two-day international conference held on June 12 – 13, 2009. The over 35 participants were drawn from Africa, North America, Asia and Europe; with a paper presented in absentia on behalf of a contributor from Australia. The conference had its focus on the themes of Church and Reconciliation; Gender and Identity; Church and Poverty; Media, representation and Pentecostalism; Conducting Mission in Edinburgh; Church and Society; and Mission in Diaspora. Most paper contributions from these two events are being reviewed and prepared in an edited book volume. Besides, the study group is preparing a 10,000- word Summary Report for the Edinburgh 2010 Project. 

Click here to find updated versions of the papers previously posted on this blog It takes you to a separate page of this website, http://www.edinburgh2010.org/en/study-themes/1-foundations-for-mission/hamburg-consultation.html

Knud Jorgensen, secretary to Theme 2, reports:

The core group on "Christian Mission among Other Faiths" met in Hamburg on 17-19 August to bring together their sections for the chapter for the Edinburgh 2010 pre-conference book. The chapter will deal with the main issues in theologies of religion from 1910 to 2010. Against a broad background of contemporary scenarios (especially the implications of globalization) the chapter will reflect hermeneutically on perspectives such as the uniqueness of Christ, salvation, conversion, power encounter, relations to other living faith and a pneumatological view of theology of religion. In addition the group has been collecting a broad selection of cases and position papers relevant for the discussion. These position papers have been placed on the Edinburgh 2010 website and will hopefully be published.

A photo of Rev. Dr Lalsangkima Pachaua, Convener, and Rev. Dr John Azumah in debate at the meeting is attached here.

Member bodies of EMW, The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany, are meeting on 8-10 September in Freudenstadt, Germany to discuss 'Mission between power and powerlessness' in anticipation of Edinburgh 2010. Their deliberations will be faciliated by Rev. Jacques Matthey, who is Director of World Council of Churches programme 2 on 'Unity, Mission, Evangelism and Spirituality', Dr Daryl Balia, International Director, Edinburgh 2010, and Dr Michael Biehl of the Missions Acadamy, Hamburg, among others.

Further information in German about the event is available in the attached pdf file.

Members of the European Pentecostal Charismatic Research Association (EPCRA) met in Oxford, UK on 12-15 August 2009 and discussed Edinburgh 2010 themes. They selected three of the nine main themes as being most appropriate for their context: 2 Christian Mission Among Other Faiths; 4 Mission and Power; and 8 Mission and Unity. The quality of input from the papers was very high and led to stimulating discussion. This highlighted the distinctive contributions Pentecostals and Charismatics can make to these issues after more than a hundred years of experience.

Papers from the conference will soon be available on this site. The photograph shows the conference participants outside the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies,where the event took place.

In the photo are participants in the conference on 'Christian communities in contemporary contexts' (Theme 7) at the Carmelite Center Karen, Nairobi on 26-28 May 2009.

Institut Africain des Sciences de la Mission, Kinshasa, RD Congo, has been researching the theme of 'Mission and Unity' for Edinburgh 2010 and has produced the attached statement as their contribution to the study process.

The statement, in French, is attached here.

The core group of Theme 3 met on 22-26 June in Prague to work on their chapter for the pre-conference book and another publication. Edinburgh 2010 Youth Coordinator Kirk Sandvig joined them and gave this report:

I must say that it was an absolute delight meeting with the Mission and Postmodernities core group in Prague. Rolv Olson, Kajsa Alstrand, Andrew Kirk, Teresa Francesca Rossi, Tania Petrova and I had some fruitful discussions that probed into the ways mission has been affected by the various notions of postmodernity. After reviewing the submitted papers, the core group evaluated the definitions given to the topic of ‘postmodernities’ by discussing key points found in both the papers and in our common understanding of the subject.  We then related how this, albeit complex, understanding of postmodernities has affected the nature of Christian mission throughout the world. Although most of the papers and core group members are representatives of the West, the core group tried to incorporate issues of mission and postmodernities found it the global south. In recognition of the commitment made by the World Council of Church youth organization ECHOS to emphasize this topic among youth, the core group felt it important to seek feedback from youth in order to better incorporate the concerns of youth in the Mission and Postmodernities group statement to the Edinburgh 2010 conference. As we approach the Edinburgh 2010 conference, I look forward to the continuing conversations about the issues of mission and postmodernties, particularly in how it relates to youth involvement.

The picture shows Kirk (left) with the group (l-r Andrew Kirk, Tania Petrova, Teresa Rossi, Rolv Olsen and Kajsa Ahlstrand)

Theme 5 has produced 14 papers so far. By kind permission of the authors these are available for viewing or download here.

The Report cum Statement of the conference on inter faith relations which took place at the United Theological Seminary, Bangalore in July is now available and is attached here, with thanks to the organisers, especially Dr Marina Behara.

Papers from the Pre-Centenary Edinburgh 2010 Conference at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India are now available to view or download here, with kind permission of the presenters and organisers.

Some of the papers presented at the West Africa consultation on 'African spirituality, Christian mission and discipleship' in Ghana in March 2009 are now available for viewing and downloading here.

As the culmination of a year-long study process, 46 church leaders, theologians, scholars, clergy and lay people attended the East African regional Edinburgh 2010 conference on 'Christian communities in contemporary contexts' (Theme 7) held at the Carmelite Center Karen, Nairobi on 26-28 May 2009. They came from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and included Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals and members of African Initiated Churches.

The study process entailed 'a critically honest evaluation' of Christian mission in East Africa and an assessment of the mission situation globally. The conference concluded that Christian mission is 'proactive engagement in empowering not disempowering; peace-building, healing and reconciling not causing conflict, injuring and segregating; loving and all inclusive not marginalising', and also involves proclamation and presence. Read the conference statement attached below.

The Edinburgh 2010 study process for ASEAN and Sri Lanka successfully held its conference at STM in Malaysia on 8-11 June 2009. Delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka were joined by friends from Germany, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.

The conference statement on 'Mission as reconciliation in pluralistic contexts' is attached here, together with a photograph of the participants. 

45 participants from across India and from overseas are gathering at the United Theological College in Bangalore, India for a major Edinburgh 2010 consultation starting tomorrow (17 July). 16 papers have so far been received - details are attached - and more are expected on the issue of 'Christian Approaches to People of Other Faiths'. Speakers include K.P. Aleaz, P.S. Jacob, James Massey, David Emmanuel Singh and Andrew Wingate.

'Things have been very busy here with the college preparing for the inaugural celebrations for its centennial year as well as co-ordinating the nittiy-gritties of the Consultation!' says Dr Marina Ngursangzeli Behera of UTC. Theme 2 Christian Mission Among Other Faiths is one of the most contentious of the Edinburgh 2010 issues and the Bangalore event is expected to make a very important contribution.  

Edinburgh City Mission was the venue on 12-13 June for a conference linked to Edinburgh 2010 Theme 7.  According to Janice McLean, who helped organise the event, it was 'stimulating - highlighting the diversity of disciples and many of the complexities that accompany our investigation of what it means to be Christian communities within contemporary contexts'. 

As well as a substantial chapter for the pre-conference publication, the study group, convened by Dr Afe Adogame of the University of Edinburgh and Dr Philomena Mwaura of Kenyatta University, intends to publish an edited volume in the Edinburgh 2010 series.

For the conference programme, see the attached Word file below. 

EMS is an international fellowship of 28 churches and mission societies in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East committed to worldwide mission and cooperation of churches. In June in Accra it launched its Focus Programme 2009-2012 with the theme, 'Giving account of our hope - Christian witness in a pluralistic world'. EMS hopes this will contribute to the Edinburgh 2010 study process, especially to study theme 2.

The international activities which make up the programme include 'reading the Bible through the eyes of another', a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, 'theological training in the presence of the other' and networking migrants' centres within the EMS fellowship.

Details of the programme are attached.

Jointly sponsored by CTBI’s Global Mission Network, Global Connections – formerly the Evangelical Missionary Alliance, and the British and Irish Association for Mission Studies, the ‘Sinking Foundations’ conference held at the beginning of July at All Nations College, Ware, Herts, UK provided a fruitful context for reflecting on the current profile of Christian mission. The conference was part of a research project contributing to Edinburgh 2010 study theme 1 on 'Foundations for Mission'. Read a preliminary report in the attached file below.

Click on the following link to view and download some of the papers produced by the study group on Theological Education and Formation.

Papers available here.

The Core Group met last week and considered 16 papers from both Core Group members and others from within the wider study group.

We agreed a structure for our contribution towards the Edinburgh 2010 book which will will have the following sections:

• Definition of terms and subject overview
• The primary role of the local church in mission
• Vulnerable mission
• Children as agents of mission
• Partnership in mission and the future of Global North mission agencies
• Receiving mission
• The Media and Mission
• Developing strategy for mission

In addition to developing this contribution for the Edinburgh 2010 publication the group will aslso be expanding each of the papers presented for last week and is in discussion with the editor of an academic journal regarding the publishing of longer versions of all our texts in a specuial edition of a mission journal late in 2010.

The group had further discussions about other ways in which our research material can be distributed to a wider audience, especially grassroots church leaders. We are now at an early stage of considering the various options using video, internet and publishing media.

Papers presented last week are currently be revised in the light of discussion. These will come to the Theme editors (Dr. Genevieve James and Canon Mark Oxbrow) in late July so that a final text can be submitted to Edinburgh in September 2009. The revised individual papers will all be made available on this website in late July 2009.

The June 2009 report of the Edinburgh 2010 Study Process by the Research Coordinator Dr Kirsteen Kim is attached here. 

Find details in the attached file of a major 3-year study being conducted jointly by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). This will make a major contribution to the theme of 'Mission and Unity'. It entails a study of the experience of small ecumenical groups in Argentina, Cameroon and the Netherlands. Read more in the attached file.

Report of the West Africa consultation on 'Mission spirituality and authentic discipleship' held at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, Ghana on 23-25 March 2009.  The report is attached.

The Core Group for 'Forms of Missionary Engagement' will meet 15-17 June 2009 after which all papers produced for this theme will be available from this website. If you are interested to contribute to the thinking of the Core Group, or would like to submit a short paper to them, on any of the areas mentioned on this page please send these contributions to mark.oxbrow (at) faith2share.net by Friday 12 June at the latest.  (All Core Group member papers are due by Monday 8 June.)

Thank you, Mark Oxbrow

Study Group 4, led by Dr Jon Bonk, Director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center, USA and Lori Ransom of the Presbyterian Church of Canada are finalizing their contribution to the Edinburgh 2010 pre-conference publication. Their chapter will be centered on a case study of the experience of the First Nations in the Canadian Residential Schools System as an example of abuse of missionary power. A number of people from other parts of the world where there are sizeable minorities or populations of displaced and dispossessed people will be responding to this to draw out the key questions for mission today.

Attached here you can find the preparatory material on "The primary role of the local church in mission"

Papers presented at the consultation on 'Mission spirituality and authentic discipleship at Youngnak Presbyterian Church, Seoul, 22-24 March 2009 are now available here.

An international group of bible scholars, mission theologians and mission leaders is meeting this weekend at the Ecumenical Institute, Bossey, Switzerland to draft a paper on 'Foundations for mission', theme 1 of the Edinburgh 2010 study process. Members of the working group are drawn from different confessional groups and represent different institutions and organisations in all continents. Their paper will form the first chapter of the pre-conference publication which will inform discussion in Edinburgh and around the world in 2010.

The group will draw on their own expertise and also on the work of groups already working on this theme for Edinburgh. A consortium of umbrella ecumenical, evangelical and academic mission groups in Britain and Ireland have been studying how organisations and individuals are motivated to do mission and how they justify it. This research will be represented at the consultation by Canon Janice Price and Dr Paul Rolph. A working group of the Francophone Association for Mission Studies, represented by Revd Jacques Matthey, is researching 'mission in the Bible'. 'Towards 2010' which met in Scotland between 2002 and 2007 invited mission scholars from many different parts of the world to reflect on the original commission themes of Edinburgh 1910. Dr Emma Wild-Wood will be representing their work.

Other participants are: Dr Edmund Chia, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA; Dr Simanga R. Kumalo, University of Kwazulul Natal, South Africa; Dr Christina Manohar, Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India; Rev. Dr Nestor Miguez, Instituto Universitario ISEDET, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Dr Peniel Rufus, United Theological College, Bangalore, India; and Prof. Petros Vassiliadis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

The event is hosted by Dr Deenabandhu Manchala, who leads the World Council of Churches project on 'Just and inclusive communities', which has also been considering 'Foundations for mission'. The International Director of Edinburgh 2010, Dr Daryl Balia will also be participating, and the Research Coordinator, Dr Kirsteen Kim will be the facilitator.  

As this blog site does not allow responses to postings and as I believe in the 'right of reply' let me post what what Jim Harries has just written to me in response to my posting on 23 March.  He writes, "I would not say, 'He was also quite critical of 'most' African church leaders' because, whether wisely or otherwise, I tend to aim my 'criticism' at Westerners I think!".  Do, though, look at Jim's web sites: www.jim-mission.org.uk and www.vulnerablemission.com

LOOKING FOR OTHERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG, Please!

There is an interesting review article on 'Missionary Movements' in the recently published 'Global Dictionary of Theology' (IVP 2008 ISBN 978-0-8308-2454-0) which reflects usefully on Protestant missionary movements, mainly post 1800, but is rather weak on earlier movements (e.g. Nestorian, Celtic, Catholic Missionary Orders) and contemporary non-Protestant movements (Orthodox, Catholic, etc.). A final section on "Some characteristics of the Mission Movements from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the South Pacific" provides useful issues for discussion.  Author: Bertil Ekstrom, WEA 

I met last week with Jim Harries who is a western (British) missionary working in Africa for many years and now in Kenya. He has a strong message to give about becoming vulnerable in mission and is asking western sending agencies to review how they send people and whether we can delink the sending of people from 'financial supply chain'. He was also quite critical of 'most' African church leaders in that he feels that they view most incoming missionaries as primarily a source of funding and that relationships are developed mainly for funding purposes. I found myself questioning some of what he had to say although very simpathetic to the concept of vulnerable mission. He has two websites at www.jim-mission.org.uk and www.vulnerablemission.com and I would be interested to hear what others (especially African colleagues) make of his material. He is normally based in Western Kenya but passes through Nairobi so Joy may be able to catch up with him.

West African leaders will meet at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute for Theology, Mission and Culture in Ghana on 23-25 March 2009 to discuss 'African spirituality, Christian mission and discipleship. The consultation, which will feed into the research for Edinburgh study theme 9, will be addressed by Emeritus Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketia, Rt Rev. Dr Cyril Okorocha, Rev. Prof. Isaac Deji Ayagboyin and other distinguished people who will bring papers and case studies. Details of the programme are attached.

David Bosch's use of world mission conferences from Edinburgh 1910 to San Antonio 1989 shows a universalising tendency, writes Prof Christina Landman, University of South Africa, in the attached article. Prof Landman is also the editor of Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae (SHE). Responses to the article are invited to Kirsteen Kim (k.kim (at) leedstrinity.ac.uk) for forwarding to the conveners of study theme 3 and possible posting on this site. 

Renowned Evangelical mission theologian Dr David Hesselgrave has written an article asking 'Will We Correct the Edinburgh Error?' and urging that Edinburgh 2010 should address issues of theology and not only strategy and policy. The article is attached here and is reprinted with permission from Southwestern Journal of Theology, 49.2 (2007): 121-49 [full version available online at http://www.baptisttheology.org/journal.cfm]. Responses are invited to Kirsteen Kim (k.kim (at) leedstrinity.ac.uk) for possible posting on this site.

The aspect of this topic that I am considering at present is how we build effective collaboration in mission - evangelistion, discipleship and the growth of ecclesial communities. Biblical (especially Acts) studies and church history, not to mention contemporary expenience, indicate that Christian missioners often find it easier (more convenient?) to opperate alone and yet this is (a) theologically very questionable and (b) has led to major divisions within the Body of Christ.

Today we do, thankfully, see many good examples of collaboration in mission and I am seeing to identify not only 'good practice' but also those 'drivers' which motivate Christians engaged in mission towards collaboration rather than 'going it alone' or worse still 'competition' in mission.

If you are aware of any case studies I should be looking at I would be very happy to hear from you.  Write to mark.oxbrow (at) faith2Share.net 

Pre-centenary Edinburgh 2010 Study Conference, United Theological Seminary, Bangalore, India, 17-19 July 2009

Inter-religious relations is the theme of this conference at an institution (UTC Bangalore) which shares its centenary with Edinburgh 2010. Christian inter-religious relations will be considered from Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, subaltern, feminist and primal perspectives, and there will also be discussion of Christian relations with Marxist, humanist and secular ideologies and of perspectives and issues in mission and inter-faith dialogue. Scholars in the field will be drawn from India and several other countries.

Mission as Reconciliation in Pluralistic Contexts, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seramban, Malaysia, 8-11 June 2009

This event will draw theological educators, church leaders and mission agency leaders from Sri Lanka and 10 ASEAN countries and link with the Edinburgh 2010 study theme on Christian Mission Among Other Faiths and the transversal on Healing and Reconciliation. For details see the seminary website here.

Seoul, South Korea, is the venue for a consultation of study theme 9 on 22-24 March 2009. Presenters at the consultation, to be held at Youngnak Presbyterian Church, include the world famous mission historian Professor Andrew Walls. Details of participants and presenters can be found in the attached file.  

The study group looking at this theme met in January 2009. We represented most Christian traditions and came from Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. Together we began to explore the questions raised by this theme. These questions are outlined in bullet form below. Core Group members are now working with others members of our wider study group to produce written materials and other resources which will be available on this site at a later date.

The discussion outlined below is very much a work in progress but we publish it at this stage to encourage others to join our conversation and to bring us their own insights, expertise and experience. Contributions in any format or language will be welcomed.

To join us in this study please follow the instructions in the attached file

The primary role of the Local Church in Mission

• Accountability to the local community/congregation is essential. Ministry is not an individualistic affair.
• We will tell stories about new forms of local church ministry.
• We will reflect on these forms from a biblical and contextual perspective.
• It is helpful to note the links between missiology, ecclesiology and eschatology.
• The ‘house church’ is sometimes seen as the primary form for missionary engagement in certain countries.
• We need to keep in mind the fact that mission grows out of doing mission. Important new forms are not designed, but emerge on the way.
• As we focus on new forms could we highlight “mission as discipleship/making disciples”?
• The church in mission needs to minimize the gap between outside and inside. Less emphasis on evangelism as such and more on breaking down the walls between inside and outside. Mission needs to be seen as ‘attracting in’ as well as ‘going out’.
• In what ways is the worship of the church mission?  A member of the wider study group (KM) has agreed to do some work with us on Worship and Mission.
• It still makes sense to talk about structures (e.g. modalities and sodalities), but we need today an ecclesiological mission that brings people as communities, and not just as individuals, into the body of Christ.
• We need the mission structure (the missionary band of Paul and Barnabas), but since Carey there has been a danger of professionalizing mission, e.g. in terms of mission societies.
• Will missionary agencies eventually fade out and leave room for the local church in mission?
• We need to make sure we engage ‘Generation Y’ in mission through the local church.

Partnership and Collaboration in Mission

• Some of the barriers to partnership identified by the group were: competition (for finance, people, etc.); organisational pride; power; theological, cultural and generational differences; time constraints; scale and complexity; trust
• A presentation (PowerPoint) was given to the core group on the theological understanding of partnership in mission. This will be developed and made available at a later date.
• There is a great deal of material already on this topic and we will be drawing on this as well as the expertise of people such as those involved in the ‘PowertoConnect’ network and VisionSynergy. Particular reference was made to an article by Roland Hoksbegen at Calvin “Towards Authentic Partnership”.
• There are many different models for cooperation and partnership and our study will need to explore these with case studies.
• The term ‘partnership’ has been much misused and is consequently a misunderstood word. Reciprocity in partnership is an essential element of the biblical understanding.

Vulnerable Mission

• Vulnerability arises from a lack of power, choice, information, nutrition, health.
• There are also spiritual dimensions of poverty that we need to consider.
• It might be more helpful to abandon the poverty-wealth dichotomy and speak instead of the opposite of poverty being ’abundance’ or ’enough’. (reference was made gto John 10 where the devil comes to kill and destroy and Jesus comes to bring life abundantly).
• We are encouraged us to look at Luke 10-14 (the core reflection being on 12-14) with the thoughts
  • Poverty leads to worry
  • Does desperation and worry drive mission?
  • We need to look deeper at our context and not just on the surface
  • We must engage with the unjust structures of society
  • There is a Kingdom priority for the poor.
• We note the signifigance of mission through migration – this will be an important theme to explore. (It has been noted that BIAMS had a major focus on this in 2007).

Receiving Mission

• Our context is the ’ending of Christendom’ in the Western world.
• Mission and migration is a mega-trend to which we need to give attention.
• In particular we need to note the significance of African migration into Europe.
• We note five particular implications of this ’post-Christendom’ context for mission, namely:
• The leading response to Islam in Europe will come from the steady influx of (mainly African and Asian) Christian migrants;
• Many ordinary members of migrant churches see themselves as missionaries;
• African Instituted Church (AIC) and Korean migrants have more contact with marginalised groups in Western societies than the indigenous Christian community;
• New migrant Christian communities are more attuned to pluralism;
• Trans-nationality greatly enhances the capacity of migrant congregations for mission engagement.
• There is an issue of definition which needs to be tackled.  BIAMS and others have talked about ’reverse mission’ and we are talking about ’receiving mission’ but is it not all just ’everywhere to everywhere mission’?   There is a mutual learning process in mission – we need to encourage interaction and learning from each other.
• We will consider the profile of non-Western missionaries in Europe, including:
• Questions asked by the receiving churches;
• Training needs indicated by the lack of understanding of cross-cultural issues by receiving churches;
• Non-Westerners are sometimes seen as a valuable resource as a ’counter-force’ for other religions in Europe;
• Mutual challenge is helpful.
• We are encouraged to use more parables to clarify terminology.

Relationships between Global North and Global South agencies

• Resources mentioned, during the core group meeting, for this section included :
• ”We are the world” by David Lundy (an evaluation of OM)
• The MANI report
• Report of the WEA ’Global Dialogue’
• ”Dancing a different dance”  D. Olumbe.
• To what extent is the health/strength of the church a driving force in mission?
• Separation or Synergy – do we need to give space to each other or seek collaboration?    (This issue is dealt with in the WEA report – see above.)
• What hope is there for the internationalisation of mission and what would be the benefits/outcomes?   Is this different from the ’globalisation’ of mission?
• How do we undersatand the phenomenon of ’incidential mission’?
• Is our focus on ’mission’ or ’missions’?
• Is the term ’missioner’ more useful than ’missionary’?  In some contexts (e.g. African churches) ’missionary’ is undersatood as only applicable to ’white’ Christians.

Mission Strategy

• We are encouraged us to distinguish between (rich and thick) description and prescription in our work. We need a clear balance between the two.
• In looking at mission strategy it was suggested that we need to address:
  • Challenges
  • Contexts
  • Case Studies.
  • Several possible case studies have been mentioned including:
  • Market place church
  • Background of leaders in contemporary church
  • Significance of entrepeneurial leaders
  • ’Ministry of presence’ = mission.

Mission and Children

• We are looking primarily at children as the agents of (not focus for) mission.
• As far as we are aware there is very little research in this area to date.
• We noted that the so called ”4-14 Window” (compare ”10-40 window”) represents the most open age for conversion. If children in this ’window’ are to be evangelised then perhaps their peers might be the most effective mission agents.
• There are several publications which deal with children in the Bible but few of these focus on ’how God uses children’ in His kingdom business.
• We could also look at ’Children in Church history’.  A literature search has revealed almost nothing on this.
• How do we introduce children to mission?
• Children can be seen as ’agents of change’ in society in general – how are they agents of spiritual change?
• We noted that World Vision are doing research on the effectiveness of the prayers of children in mission and their involvement in other ways.

Mission and the Media

• A former member of staff of Trans World Radio has been identified as a resource person for this sub-topic.
• We need to look at the impact of the ’Jesus Film’ globally.

Mission and Worship

• We are aware that in many context mission happens through worship. The core group have commissioned one person (in Japan) to work on this topic but is anxious to recruit others with expertise in this area.