A reformation of mission : reversing mission trends in Africa, an assessment of Protestant mission methods in Malawi

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study and dissertation examines the mission methodologies of the Protestantchurch in Africa -- focusing on the country of Malawi as a case study. A historical study ofearly mission methods and an empirical study of current practices point to the need for a newapproach to mission, a new approach that can best be described as a reformation of mission.This reformation requires the reversal of the five conventional trends that mission work inAfrica has traced. At the crux of this reformation is the need to take the methodological phaseof leadership development, a phase traditionally withheld until last, and make it paramount.In the process of making this assessment of mission in Africa it was necessary to firstcarry out historical research relevant to early mission work in Malawi. Historical researchfocused on the first five missions to initiate work in the country, all of which eventuallyestablished a permanent presence in Malawi. Three of these early churches were reformed orPresbyterian -- the Established Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, and the DutchReformed Church in South Africa. The other two missions were the Universities' Mission toCentral Africa (Anglican) and the Zambezi Industrial Mission (independent/Baptist). Theseoriginal missions to Malawi were directed and influenced by a vanguard of some of Africa'sgreatest pioneer mission workers -- David Livingstone, Robert Laws, A.c. Murray, WilliamMurray, and David Scott. Details from this historical research assisted in determining whatmission methodologies were being utilized at various points in time.The second segment of research pertinent to this dissertation is an empirical study ofcurrent mission and church work in Malawi. Over 100 denominations, missions, and parachurchorganizations were studied. The findings from 83 of these organizations are analyzed inthis paper. An exposition of data from this research is outlined in Chapter 4, but the mosttroubling discovery resulting from these findings was the absence of adequately trainedChristian leadership and localized facilities to equip such leaders. This problem iscompounded by a lack of vision for leadership development and a reluctance to commit thenecessary resources.By combining this empirical research with the historical data cited above it wasdetermined that mission in Malawi has proceeded through four paradigms of methodology: 1) pioneer mission work, 2) vocational (elementary education and vocational training),3) church planting, and 4) pastor training. At present the church in Africa is entering a fifthdimension of mission methodology -- leadership development. Leadership training not in thetraditional sense of preparing clergymen for the ministry, but a wholistic education that equipsdedicated Christians for leadership in any spectrum -- religious, public or private.In order for this dissertation to present a comprehensive and effective model for missionit was also necessary to conduct a third investigation -- an analysis of what defines mission.Three important conclusions relevant to this paper can be drawn: 1) Every dimension ofmission is equally valid. Whether it is ecclesiastical in its nature, proclamational, contextual,theological or liberational -- every aspect of mission is as vital as the next. 2) Mission is notmission if its central and ultimate purpose is not to reveal the grace of God made availablethrough Christ. 3) The purpose of the church is mission -- not vise versa.These three elements of research -- historical, empirical and missiological -- form thefoundation of the model for mission in Africa outlined in the final chapter of this dissertation.This model necessitates a reformation of mission that reverses the historic pattern of missionwork and makes leadership development a priority. The significance of such a reformation istwo-fold: 1) It will substantially increase the ability of national Christian leaders to effectivelypropagate the church and manage the affairs of mission in Africa. 2) It will enable expatriatemission personnel to be utilized at a point of contact where they can be most effective -- at theleadership development level.The church in Africa today is at a critical juncture. As mission enters the 21st century areexamination of its methodology is imperative. Expatriate assistance is in decline, paralleledby swelling anti-Western sentiment that makes it progressively difficult for the foreign missionworker to maintain traditional footholds. As a result it is becoming increasingly pertinent thatmission in Africa, and the church in the West, adopt a new model for mission that adequatelyequips the African for this inevitable transition. This new approach to mission offers a newhope to the continent. Africa's problems, as many believe, are not a result of poverty, civilunrest, or power-hungry potentates. At the root of Africa's problem is an absence of dedicated,wholistically equipped Christian leaders. Leaders with Christian morals, ethics and values --equipped to serve the church and lead their country.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University