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Observations

Conclusion: Taxonomy of Mission 6

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to develop a Myers Briggs test to classify different approaches to mission. Have a look and see what you think.

Categories
Observations

“Completing the Task” and missio Dei

Therefore, even when every person has had an opportunity to hear the gospel, or even if a church is planted in every people group of the world, missions will not be over.

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Observations

Geography: A Taxonomy of Mission 5

When I was a lad, the world was much more simple than it is now. There was the Christian world (Europe and places where the European diaspora lived) and the rest. Mission was about taking the Gospel outside of the Christian world. At home, we did evangelism. Mission was about telling people the Gospel for […]

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Observations

Posture: Taxonomy of Mission 4

Is mission a task that we can and must complete, or is it a constant challenge which is renewed in every generation? Task Orientation Over the last hundred years or so, there has been a move towards seeing mission as a manageable task, which we have a responsibility to complete. This approach, divides the world up […]

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Reviews

Books I Have Read: Introducing Christian Mission Today

If I were to ask which is the most important book on mission today, I suspect that most people would answer either Transforming Mission by David Bosch or The mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative by Chris Wright. Don’t get me wrong, these books are both excellent. If you want an overview of how mission thinking has […]

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Observations

Books I Have Read: The Next Evangelicalism

“For most of its history (but particularly for the last fifty years), American evangelicalism has more accurately reflected the values, culture and ethos of Western, white American culture than the views of Scripture…”

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Observations

Whose Mission? Taxonomy of Mission 3

Whose mission is it anyway; ours or God’s?

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Observations

The Extent of Mission: Taxonomy of Mission 2

I also reckon that all Christians think that doing works of service, helping people, is a good thing. Christians are involved in eduction, medical work, famine relief, working for justice and caring for the environment (though there is some disagreement over the latter). The question is not whether these things are good or worthwhile, but whether or not they can be legitimately considered to be a part of mission.

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Observations

Biblical Basis: Taxonomy of Mission 1

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to post four or five short pieces that explore the different ways that approaches to Christian mission can be categorised. I’m sure that this isn’t new, but it’s the first time I’ve done it. These are not academic posts, so don’t expect lots of footnotes and references. This article […]

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Observations

Planning, Counting and the Great Commission

Measuring the Great Commission: “When we aim only at what we can measure, we ignore the most important goals of character, discipleship and holiness, which we cannot predict or quantify without falling into legalism… lukewarm churches are the result of this assembly line mindset.”