implications for missionaries, churches and mission ...primarily in cross-cultural evangelism and...
TRANSCRIPT
1
Rethinking the Question—
“Who Is A Missionary?” in Light of
21st Century Diaspora Realities, with
Implications for Missionaries,
Churches and Mission Agencies Today
Larry W. Caldwell, Ph.D.
Missio Nexus Webinar
September 8, 2016
2
Introduction
Who is a “missionary” today in
light of the 21st century diaspora?
3
Part One:
The Apostle Paul’s
Understanding of
“Who Is a Missionary?”
4
Paul’s understanding of the
missionary task is rooted in his
use of the word “apostle.”
His primary understanding of
apostle: a spiritual gift especially
given to those working cross-
culturally among peoples
different from themselves.
5
Available at: https://sfseminary.edu/about-the-
seminary/faculty-and-staff/larry-
caldwell/
6
Paul’s understanding of a
missionary/apostle:
1. Spiritual gift for those who are involved
primarily in cross-cultural evangelism
and church planting.
2. Especially in pioneering, frontline work
among unreached peoples.
3. He saw his ministry in this way (cf.
Romans 15:18-23).
4. He saw the work of an apostle as
foundational for the church (cf. 1 Cor.
12:28 and Eph. 4:11).
7
So what?
1. Designation “missionary” should especially be
given to Christians today who, like Paul, are
engaged in cross-cultural evangelism and church
planting, primarily among unreached peoples.
2. Such missionaries may or may not be engaged in a
secular vocation.
3. Any Christian who is doing cross-cultural
evangelism and church planting most likely has
the spiritual gift of apostle, or at least a “gift-mix”
that includes apostle.
8
This definition, by default,
includes diaspora Christians who
are engaged in such a ministry.
But what kind of ministry
should be truly considered
cross-cultural??
9
Part Two:
The Continuing Relevance
of the E-Scale for
“Who Is a Missionary?”
10
The “E-Scale”:
E-1 Evangelism done among those of one’s
own people group.
E-2 Evangelism done among a people group
that is slightly different from the culture of
your own people group; “simple” cross-
cultural missionary work.
E-3 Evangelism done among a people group
that is significantly different from the culture
of your own people group; “complex” cross-
cultural missionary work.
11
The “D-Scale”:
D-1 Evangelism done among those of the
diaspora Christian’s own people group; done
outside of their home country.
D-2 Evangelism done among a people group
that is slightly different from the culture of the
diaspora Christian’s own people group;
“simple” cross-cultural missionary work.
D-3 Evangelism done among a people group
that is significantly different from the culture of
the diaspora Christian’s own people group;
“complex” cross-cultural missionary work.
12
Part Three
Diaspora Realities and
“Who Is a Missionary?”
13
Characteristics of
Diaspora Peoples:
1. They are living outside of their
cultural place of origin.
2. They retain a significant socio-
cultural identity and link with their
cultural place of origin.
3. They experience a psychological
sense of dislocation, either negative
or positive.
14
Diaspora Peoples:
To, Through and Beyond
1. To: diaspora peoples who move within contact
of a church in their new host country—
Christians in the host country will reach them
through E-2 or E-3 evangelism.
2. Through: diaspora Christians who reach out to
their own diaspora peoples in their new host
countries—this is D-1 evangelism.
3. Beyond: diaspora Christians reaching cross-
culturally to other diaspora groups and host
peoples in their host countries—this is D-2 or D-
3 evangelism.
15
Comparing “E-1” with “D-1”:
The work of mono-cultural evangelism:
E-1: Thai Christians evangelizing
Thai Buddhists in Bangkok.
D-1: Pakistani Christians
evangelizing Pakistani Muslims
in Bangkok.
16
Comparing “E-2” and “E-3” with
“D-2” and “D-3”:
The work of cross-cultural evangelism:
E-2 or E-3: Thai Christians evangelizing
Pakistani and Iranian Muslims
in Bangkok.
D-2: Pakistani Christians evangelizing
Iranian Muslims in Bangkok.
D-3: Pakistani Christians evangelizing
Thai Buddhists in Bangkok.
17
Implications for Missionaries, for
Churches and for Mission
Agencies Today.
18
Implications for Missionaries:
1. Work with diaspora Christians.
2. Recognize the work of diaspora
missionaries.
3. Help with diaspora missionary
training.
19
Implications for Churches:
1. Partner with diaspora churches and
missionaries.
2. Develop church-based training.
3. Recognize a missiology of
weakness.
20
Implications for Mission Agencies:
1. Remember that diaspora missions,
and diaspora missionaries, are
majority world centered.
2. Recognize that westerners are not in
charge
3. Reconsider “home” missions vs.
“foreign” missions.
21
Conclusion
In order to take full advantage of
what God is doing today we need to
rethink what mission is, and who the
missionaries really are, in light of
the 21st century diaspora.