Most people never think about defining missions biblically, which I suppose is OK if you're actually doing it. But sometimes there is great value in wrestling some words down to a page to clarify and crystallize; at the least, I think every pastor and missionary should write down or adopt a succinct statement.My personal favorite is adapted from George Peters in his book A Biblical Theology of Missions (Chicago: Moody Press, 1972, p. 11) (my adaptations are italicized):
Missions is the sending forth of authorized persons beyond the borders of the New Testament church and her immediate gospel influence to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in gospel-destitute areas, to win converts from other faiths and non-faiths to Jesus Christ, and to establish functioning, multiplying local churches who will bear the fruit of Christianity in that community, to that country, and to the whole world.
4 responses:
Hey David - from what I gather, it is Stephen Neill who wrote way back in 1959 in his book, Creative Tension. He wrote, "If everything is mission, then nothing is mission." I found that here (http://www.biams.org.uk/page.php?7) and here (http://missionissues.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/a-theology-of-missions-or-missionary-theology/). I hope that helps.
Josh Blaha is hereby officially hired as my chief researcher. DH
Ha ha
Oh, my bad, I thought it was BLA-ha.
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