Lausanne World Pulse – The Third Ripple: Deeper and Wider Mission Engagement
By Wonsuk Ma
|
|
This article will deal with a third area of Pentecostal mission, a deeper and more strategic level of social engagement and beyond (click here for the first two ripples). This level of mission engagement often aims at “justice” in social, economic, political, racial, and environmental areas. “Reconciliation” is another term used for this sphere of mission engagement, which includes ecumenism, peace initiatives, and environmental stewardship. Although the third level takes place on the same social level as the “care” and “service” of the second level, this will require a quantum leap in Pentecostal mission thinking and practice.
This section presents both a concrete setting as a launch point and challenging questions for Pentecostal mission engagement. This issue deserves deep reflection by insiders (Pentecostals) and outsiders (friends of Pentecostals).
Two Kenyan Stories
My first visit to Nairobi exposed me to three types of Pentecostal congregations.
The first congregation was on the outskirts of Nairobi. It was full of urban poor and rural immigrants. Its construction-in-progress sanctuary seemed to suggest its growth, spontaneity, and creative responses to emerging circumstances, as seen in creative, impromptu moves of their dynamic worship. The primary interest of the worshippers seemed to be focused on daily survival and God’s enablement to live today and tomorrow. My admonition in mission did not excite them very much.
The second congregation was at the heart of the city. It was full of youth and young adults who appeared to be mostly professionals. This energetic congregation was in stark contrast with the first one I ministered to just an hour earlier. Undoubtedly middle-class, the worship was presented professionally (evidently coming from the first-class musicians, singers, and dancers and the first-class audio and lighting facilities). My unplanned message was on the Azusa Street story and its missionary call. The pastor’s humble request for me to pray his church would obey the great missionary calling in turn humbled me.
My friends and I apologetically excused ourselves as a samba dance presentation brought the whole congregation into another height of excitement in worship.
Pages: ALL 1 2 3 4 5 Next
|
Dr. Wonsuk Ma is a Korean Pentecostal who served in the Philippines from 1979 to 2006 as a theological educator and church planter among tribal areas of the northern Philippines. He is executive director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in Oxford, UK. |