2023-01-17 Mission in Context

Tim Stephenson

- 2 minutes read - 374 words

  • Lecture 1:

    • intro

    • 5 marks of mission

    • common 3 + 4 & 5

  • Lecture 2

    • mission audit

    • need to write up mission with formality and accuracy.

    • mission:

    • in ot

    • in nt

    • in 21 c

    • used to be national religion in empire times

    • impact of colonial faith, is it true gospel

    • priest is 'mission enabler'--could do it or support others to.

    • diff. between missio Dei and church projects

    • assignment:

    • 2,500 words

    • start with the mission (theological)

    • fresh expression (new context)

    • First century insights on mission for 21stC (Biblical/historical)

    • large mission audit (1hour!)

    • insights for where you are now

    • all essays will have some of each:

    • historical, biblical, theological

    • mission Dei: an attempt to focus on what God’s doing rather than my pet project

  • What is mission?

    • As the Father sent me

    • so I send you (John 20:21)

    • we are simply part of God’s mission

    • mission becomes a lot easier

  • Are Paul’s missionary principles a blueprint for today?

    • Katie: Challenge to be in tune with God (if going to emulate Paul). Need to hold plans loosely.

    • Professionalising mission, which has pros and cons

    • Jesus never set up a church, proclaimed and taught

    • Paul always goes to Jews first, not seeking to set up a new eclesialogy

    • Only as Jews responded tepidly did focus shift to gentiles; celts picked up where the empire collapsed.

    • Current: lot of angst about gospel being in the hands of colonialism

  • "It is not the Church of God that has a mission in the world but the God of mission that has a church in the world" Tim Dearborn

  • in HW’s life (70s) has seen evagelicals complain liberals are just doing to the easy social work and liberals that evangelicals just talking.

    • therefore there is a tension and keeping all 5 marks in focus is important

    • Timothy seen as teacher and pastor but Paul writes to him saying be an evangelist

  • Audit

    • 5 marks analysed against current situation

    • could look back historically or foward to where may be going next

  • literature

    • J Finney, Well church book, 1991

    • Worsley, well church guide, 200?

  • material for audit

    • walk or pray, observe

    • solo or in company

    • survey

    • talking to congregation

    • library

    • internet

  • From anecdote to evidence, 2014

    • growth is numbers, but also internal discipleship