Michael Pocock, Gailyn Van Rheenen, and Douglas McConnell. The Changing Face of World Missions. Baker Academic. 2005.
Missions have changed dramatically over the past thirty years since I served for a six-month period on the island of Utila, Isles of the Sea, Honduras. I think back to a time when we didn't even have telephones or email to let people know how we were doing. Shortwave radio was used to communicate with the mainland and we listened to the radio to get messages from our supervisors.
The Changing Face of World Missions describes twelve trends that are directly impacting missions today. Each trend is thoroughly discussed and ends with a discussion of the impact of scripture on that trend.
The twelve trends discussed include:
- Globalization
Changing Demographics
Religionquake
Changing Basis of Knowledge
Disappearing Center
Changing Motivations
Increasing Awareness of Spiritual Power
Innovation in Mission Operations
Working Together (Networks rather than individuals)
Changing Uses of Money
Impact of New Technologies
Contextualization
Reading the chapter on globalization was particularly revealing to me. I had never thought of God being in control of the globalization happening today. The authors use Paul's address to pagans in Acts 17:16-34. God originally planned for a global world-not one where people were scattered about the earth using different languages. This happened because of the Tower of Babel! You'll find sidebars giving examples of how globalization both helps and hinders. There are also case studies that let you attempt to solve the problems of globalization by applying Biblical truths to the situation.
The authors bring up one particular danger of the increased use of technology by mission organizations. Those maintaining websites and using email to communicate between headquarters and missionaries may be putting those workers in serious danger from those opposed to the Gospel message and its spread.
Globalization also means that many nations have people from a wide variety of nations working temporarily within their geographic boundaries. This provides a unique opportunity to minister to people from nations opposed to Christianity. A Muslim may find it easier to accept Christ as his Savior in the United States than back home in Turkey where he might be killed for converting.
Recommendation
Every Christian is commanded to go and teach the Gospel. This book shows how following that command has changed in recent years. I urge you to read it carefully. Perhaps you will find a way you can participate in missions.
