Missiology is the study of the Church's mission. The Latin term missio means "the act of sending." It acts as the bridge between scripture and the world, exploring how faith is shared and practiced across diverse cultures and boundaries.
Biblical Foundation (Missio Dei)
1. Attribute of God: Missiology is centered on the concept of Missio Dei, or the Mission of God. Mission is not just an activity of the church, but an attribute of God.
2. Inauguration by God: God is the initiator, and the church is the instrument. It traces God’s outreach to humanity from Genesis through Revelation.
3. Work of the Church / Believers: It prevents the church from becoming inward-looking by moving theology from the pulpit into the world. It reminds believers to live out their faith through service and witness to the wider community.
Contextualization
1. Language: Translating concepts into local idioms.
2. Social Customs: Understanding how local traditions interact with faith.
3. Anthropology: Using social sciences to understand the people being reached.
4. Holistic or integral mission: The practice of combining spiritual evangelism with social action to care for the "whole person."
5. Inculturation: It is the integration of the Christian message into a specific culture's customs and symbols. It ensures the faith is expressed through local traditions rather than appearing as a foreign import.
Strategy and Practice
This involves the practical how-to of mission work, including:
1. Evangelism: The proclamation of the Gospel.
2. Social Justice: Addressing poverty, healthcare, and human rights as part of a holistic mission.
3. Ecclesiology: How new churches are planted and structured in diverse environments.
Memory Verse: Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
BD Freshers Orientation 11
Meyego
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