On March 30th, I will be in Amsterdam for the first Global Missiology Conference that, to my knowledge, has been organized for the Church of the Nazarene. The conference was born out of some conversations that several of us were having in relation to a dream to form a network of Wesleyan Missiologists who could share resources and ideas.
Papers have been written for this conference which deal with the realities of Globalization, Global changes, Anthropology of Globalization and of a flat world which affect every aspect of the world and time in which we live. These changes whether they are just a popular trend or whether they are indicators of greater changes to come are causing many to rethink paradigms of transnational organizations including mission organizations which deal directly with people in a variety of social situations. Mission organizations are forced to address how an increasingly interdependent world is changing the dynamic of mission organizations themselves. While these dynamics do indeed have a great impact on sociological, financial and structural implications of organizations on a global scale, the anthropological issues of individuals and local culture are essential aspects which missions cannot overlook.The purpose of this conference and the papers which have been written is to address how the Mission of God is carried out by the Body of Christ in this context. Our particular focus is on the role of the Church of the Nazarene.
It will be fascinating to listen in and participate in the conversations with missiologists who teach in various educational settings around the world, with mission administrators, as well as missionaries who live in the reality of a changing world. Hopefully the diversity will bring greater depth to the conversation.
I would invite you to read the papers for yourself in order to get a good idea of the discussions. You can locate the papers at the NTS Center for Intercultural Studies Site (see link on the right side of this blog). Shortly after the conference I hope to post photos and follow up conversations about the conference on the same site. I welcome any comments that you may have about any of the papers posted for the conference.
Papers have been written for this conference which deal with the realities of Globalization, Global changes, Anthropology of Globalization and of a flat world which affect every aspect of the world and time in which we live. These changes whether they are just a popular trend or whether they are indicators of greater changes to come are causing many to rethink paradigms of transnational organizations including mission organizations which deal directly with people in a variety of social situations. Mission organizations are forced to address how an increasingly interdependent world is changing the dynamic of mission organizations themselves. While these dynamics do indeed have a great impact on sociological, financial and structural implications of organizations on a global scale, the anthropological issues of individuals and local culture are essential aspects which missions cannot overlook.The purpose of this conference and the papers which have been written is to address how the Mission of God is carried out by the Body of Christ in this context. Our particular focus is on the role of the Church of the Nazarene.
It will be fascinating to listen in and participate in the conversations with missiologists who teach in various educational settings around the world, with mission administrators, as well as missionaries who live in the reality of a changing world. Hopefully the diversity will bring greater depth to the conversation.
I would invite you to read the papers for yourself in order to get a good idea of the discussions. You can locate the papers at the NTS Center for Intercultural Studies Site (see link on the right side of this blog). Shortly after the conference I hope to post photos and follow up conversations about the conference on the same site. I welcome any comments that you may have about any of the papers posted for the conference.
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