Introduction to Missiology

Ch. 40: Thriving in the Ecotones: The Local Church and World MissionsBy James Dennison

Ecotones

A place where two or more biologic systems collideThe traditional church with an institutional view of missionsThe new face of missions: cell church, house church, indigenous leaders, indigenous music.

Impact on Cooperation

Churches now want mission agencies to assist them carrying out their own plans rather than the plans of the agency

Hard Facts

Western Christianity composes only 25% of world Christian population.The majority of missionaries will soon come from Third World countries.Only 10 % of US evangelical churches place a high priority on spreading the gospel overseas.The US ranks 16th in number of missionaries sent.When churches are asked what causes they would fund, evangelism and church planting came in dead last.

Hard Questions

Can Missions in Western churches still be effective?

In such an ecotonic day, has the pendulum swung so far from us that it will not return in this generation?

A Contemporary Theology of Missions for the Local Church

1. The church remains God’s strategy (Matt.16:13-18)

The church was born out of the ecotones of the first centuryIt spread fastest in some of the most severe times of change in historyIt continues to be God’s tool to take the gospel to the nations

But will the western church participate?

A C.T.M for the Local Church

2. Missions remains God’s purpose (Matt.28:16-20)

The Great Commission is a charge to the church to make disciples – that is our only “product”It is crucial that in these times our people grasp this truth; the purpose of the church is missions, not meeting members needs

A C.T.M. for the Local Church

3. God’s purpose still requires His plan (Acts 1:8)God’s plan is that the church take the gospel to the ends of the earth, making disciples as we goToo often the church’s plan is to maintain the status quo to secure future benefits for the current membership

A C.T.M. for the Local Church

4. God’s plan still requires God’s people (Eph.4:11-13)According to this passage, the work of ministry is to be done by the entire church body, not just a select few.This also means that missions is a church-wide responsibility, not the work of a few

How we lost our ministry

A.D.250 – Cyprian of Carthage initiates a distinction between clergy and laity.A.D.313 – Constantine legalized the church. They can own property and begin to build special buildings for congregationsMedieval scholars define spirituality as a retreat from the natural worldPost-industrial-revolution churches develop an institutional mindset

Practical Steps of Practice

Clearly define the church’s vision for mission involvement locally, regionally, and internationally.

In a total context of what the church is to be and do.Involve believers directly in missions.

Prayer walks, prayer journeys, adopt-a-people.Use information and action to move your people to sacrificial giving for missions. (stewardship)

Local and international church planting offers opportunities to pray, give, and participate.

Riding the Tides

3500 new churches per dayChina sees 28,000 new converts per day

Maybe as many as 45,000Within the next generation, China may be 40% Christian

Africa sees 20,000 new converts per daySouth Korea is 30% evangelical believersThe Holy Spirit is moving throughout the earth like the tides wash the ocean shores throughout the world