There are as many definitions of world missions as there are scholars and practitioners of world missions. Everyone has a particular emphasis that they want to include. Personally, I prefer something simple like:
Christians crossing cultural boundaries to proclaim the good news of Jesus through presence, word, and actions.Notice, though, that I have my preferences -- things I want to emphasize. World Missions is not so much geographical as it is cultural. If your neighbor is from a different culture and you reach out to her, that is world missions.
And then, notice in my definition that it is about "proclamation" through presence, word, and actions. It's not enough to simply say something. We need to in some way be present with people -- that is, involved in their lives -- and caring for both their spiritual and physical well being.
Personally, I find that "The Five Marks of Mission" compiled by the Anglican Communion are very helpful.
The mission of the Church is the mission of Christ
1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
2. To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
These are all a part of God's mission and to define world missions in a way that leads to neglect of any of these biblical emphases is deficient. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Let's start by watching a four-minute video about a guy who discovered God's call.
After watching the video, please go to chapter 1, "Missions in the Modern World," in the textbook Introducing World Missions. Read the chapter at least twice. Then answer the following questions. (The best way to send me your answers is to simply write an email to me with the answers embedded. That is, don't attach a document. Even though you are responding by email use conventional English. If you are more comfortable using a word processor you are also welcome to write the answers in a Google Doc. Then share it with me at bboydston@piu.edu.)
1. Choose three of the "Key Terms in Mission" and write your own definition for each of those terms or phrases that will come up in this course throughout the semester. Don't copy from the definitions in the book. I want to see how you write so use your own words.
2. In no more than five or six sentences explain the difference between "mission" and "missions." (Make sure that your answer is informed by the reading.)
3. At locations 398-426 in the Kinde edition, page 20 in the print edition, the authors identify "Seven Marks of a Mission Companion."
A. Which of those descriptors line up with who you are now? Why? Give an example, if you can.
B. Which descriptor would be hard for you to embrace? Why?
Because you're just getting started in this course, I need to receive this assignment from you before the second week of the semester. After this, you will be free to go at your own pace (although I need to receive some form of communication from you each week.). Once you send me the assignment please go on to assignment #2 immediately. Don't wait for a response from me. (Sometimes it takes me a while to get through all the assignments that are collecting in my queue.)
YOU CAN EARN UP TO 60 POINTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. Reach out to me if you need any clarification.
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