Mission as Accompaniment: A Path to a Post-Colonial, Alternative Missionary Practice
By Frank Paul | Frank Paul discusses the transformation of Mennonite missionary practices from imposition to a more respectful, non-paternalistic approach. It highlights the importance of listening, empowering indigenous people, and fostering mutual respect. The shift towards intercultural dialogue and fraternal accompaniment has led to a more respectful and effective missionary presence in the Argentine Chaco.
Called Again: Veteran Missionaries and the Unfinished Task
By David Smith | Claude Hickman of The Traveling Team is quoted as saying, “Reaching the world with the gospel is not a resource problem, it is a mobilization problem.” In this article, I challenge my colleagues to consider leaving their established work in countries with gospel presence and moving to the least-reached countries and people groups of the world. This missionary mobilization is only possible through education, evaluation, and a growing conviction that we may be the ones best suited to the task.
Who Can Start a Movement? Three Possible Says of Being Involved in Starting Movements
By Emanuel Prinz | Movement catalysts possess distinct qualities in three areas: personality, spiritual, and social influence. They exhibit radical learning, innovation, drive to achieve, conscientiousness, assertiveness, and persistence. Spiritually, they have a hunger for God, deep prayer, listening to God, expectant faith, evangelistic zeal, transformational disciple-making, tangible love, and confidence in the Bible. Socially, they inspire others, influence beliefs, empower others, and have confidence in local disciples. People can get involved by starting a movement, joining a catalyst’s team, or serving an existing movement.
To the Ends of the Earth: How to Translate the Gospel Into Maps
By David Onnekink | Take any website of a missionary society and there is bound to be a map. Maps are visually attractive and picture comprehensively the geographical focus of mission. However, as Brad Gil wrote, essentially “All maps are wrong”.
Evangelism as Brokerage: A Biblical Study of 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 in a Chadian Context
By David Kimiti | This article explores how missionaries working in patronage societies, might be informed by 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 in taking on the role of a broker as a way of viewing their evangelism. The missionary broker avoids the potential compromises in the roles of patron and client and takes a temporary role as a relationship broker. Using patronage to understand honor, social currency, and brokerage David unpacks Paul’s writing, offering practical insights for missionaries in Chad and similar relational cultures.
The Function of Emotions and the Arts and Missions
By David R. Dunaetz | “Letters to the Editor” is a forum for readers to share further thoughts about previously published articles, agreeing, disagreeing, extending or taking the conversation in new directions. “Letters” can also raise new issues.
A Missiological Reflection on the Fall of Saigon
By Truong Tran | This article explores the unintended consequences of missionary-led evacuations of Vietnamese pastors on April 30, 1975. It argues that these actions weakened local churches and highlights the missiological imperative to build churches with lasting hope in Christ and indigenous leadership.
What Missionaries Want You to Know
By Amy Young, Stacey Covell, and Christine Rollings | This article reports on the results of a survey of fieldworkers. The research revealed a gap of communication between goers and senders. This can be exacerbated when missionaries feel that they have to be superhuman. Many challenges that missionaries face are normal human experiences although these can be compounded by cross-cultural life and ministry stresses. Practical recommendations for senders are provided.
Cuckoos in Our Nest: Truth and Lies About Being Human
Until a few weeks ago, I had never encountered a European Cuckoo, but after reading Iain Provan’s Cuckoos in Our Nest, I see them everywhere – not the birds themselves, but what they represent.
Missional Life in Practice & Theory: Essays in Honor of Gailyn Van Rheenan
Missiology is self-consciously a hybrid discipline. Surprisingly, not many people balance the hands and the head appropriately in the missional endeavor.