Studying Missiology

Missiology is the study of the cross-cultural expansion of Christianity. The word is derived from the Latin and Greek terms for "sending forth with a special message."
Missiology is integrative in nature. It encompasses biblical, historical, doctrinal,, and practical theological studies
Missiology applies social sciences tools like cultural anthropology, sociology, and political science to analyze how global dynamics affect the Church's mission of making Christ-like disciples in the nations.
Missiology uses insights from diverse fields like agriculture, education, medicine, economic development, and public health to develop strategies for effective cross-cultural missionary ministry.

Louis Luzbetak defines missiology:

"Missiology is derived from the Latin missio ("a sending forth with a special message to proclaim or with a special task to perform") and the Greek logos ("a study, word or discourse"). Etymologically, missiology is a study of the sending forth or expansion of the Church." -- from The Church and Cultures (Orbis)

Learning about world missions

Need a good definition of missions? It's the cross-cultural expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ. Missiology is the integrative study of the cross-cultural expansion of Christianity as it has been fostered by expatriate Christian missionaries. Missiology -- the study of missionary work -- draws together scholarship in biblical, historical, doctrinal, and practical theological studies.

As missiologists reflect on the global march of the Church, they use tools from the social sciences to understand various dynamics. Ins are drawn from cultural anthropology, ethnology, sociology, geography, and political science.

Missiology seeks to develop strategies for effective missionary work and church planting. In doing their work, missiologists interact with a wide range of professions, especially those in agriculture, education, medicine, and public health.

Want to know how to become a missionary? Then, the study of missiology is for you!

Global passion at the college level

Preparing people to fulfill the Great Commission
Are the "heathen" really lost? What does the Bible say?
Ten ways to avoid becoming a missionary
Do you have a missions call?
10/40 Window map and explanation
Co-curricular
That is, What are we doing in addition to classroom studies?
Christian missions journals
How can you not subscribe to at least one of these?
- Evangelical Missions Quarterly
  Geared toward missionary practitioners, EMQ provides a forum for the exchange of concepts, strategies, and ideas.
- International Bulletin of Mission Research
  Interdenominational quarterly with emphasis on missions history; great book reviews; writers come from varied backgrounds ranging from Roman Catholicism and Conciliar groups to Protestant Fundamentalism.
- Missiology: An International Review
  Written by and for missions professors. This is an "academic" rather than a "popular" quarterly.

Want to help the missions program of your local church? Check out the resources on this website for Nazarene Missions International ( NMI ) groups.

Nazarene Bible College's world missions course via distance education

Global evangelism - a 6-week fully online course that looks at biblical foundations, missions history, the implications of culture, today's missions methods and practices, a look at the job yet to be done, and a case study of one denomination's world missions efforts (the Church of the Nazarene).

ebook: Jonah, the reluctant missionary

Jonah's story is not about disobedience. Jonah is the reluctant missionary of the Old Testament who refuses to get his heart in tune with God's heart.

Missions information and facts

Being a good missions mobilizer means you must have a grasp of the facts and information. Being able to pray intelligently means you must know what is going on. [ more ]

"While looking at your website, I have been very impressed with both the volume of information and the thoroughness with which you explore missions." -- Jack L., Arkansas, USA

Snapshot of the ideal graduate from a world missions program

Adoniram Judson's son wrote that his dad -- a pioneer missionary to what is now called Myanmar -- was an ideal missionary because of his "scholarly tastes, affectionate disposition, and fervent piety." That's a good combination. Here's a longer listing:

The ideal graduate of a missiology mission program would be an individual of deep spirituality. Keyword: "Faithfulness"
The person would be both curious and humble in his or her approach to cultures as wellas possessing a desire to interact with people very different from him or her. Key thought: "Willingness to study and adapt"
There would be an understanding of and an eagerness to work with contextualization issues. Keyword: "Discernment"
The person would be passionate about achieving long-term Kingdom goals rather than being content with short-term successes.
The person would be committed to the Church as an organism and as an institution. Keyword: "Dedication"
The ideal graduates of a missiology program would have a drive to speak well the language of the people to whom they will go. Keyword: "Communicator"
The person could effectively communicate with the home constituency about ministry vision, activities and needs. Keyword: "Mobilizer"
The person would feel at ease being in company with and in making friends with educated people of other cultures
The person would have a "clear missionary vision," i.e., a sense of what God has called the Church to do and where we are in terms of fulfilling that call. Key thought: "On fire with love"
The person would be, as was said of William Borden, a "striking example of Christian stewardship." He or she would know how to use resources as well as be both strategic and creative in using what is available. Keyword: "Versatile"

What should that ideal graduate have read?

In terms of raising support: People Raising: A Practical Guide to Raising Support by William P. Dillon
For a book on how world missions efforts should be empowering local people, read: The Great Omission by Steve Saint
For a book with some missions history and biblical background and just general passion: Passion for the Heart of God by John Zumwalt
For a look at how God prepares the hearts of people: Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson
One that the summer Youth in Mission program promoted for its participants is: Compassion by Henri Nouwen

Jim Johnson Missions scholarship fund

Helping train future missionaries

In January of 1998, Mexico's Nazarene Mission Teams director Jim Johnson died in a traffic accident while coordinating SNU's Commission Unto Mexico, a large, short-term mission trip to northern Mexico over the New Year's holiday involving construction projects, children's ministry, medical clinics and soccer ministry.

Missionary Jim had been involved in coordinating all of the first nine SNU Commission Unto Mexico trips.

His widow, Mary Johnson Runion, has established an endowed scholarship fund in his memory. Scholarships from this fund will aid young people called to be Christian missionaries.

Would you join us in building this memorial scholarship fund? We need several thousand more dollars. Those could come in big chunks . . . or it could happen with lots and lots of $5 bills!

Tax-deductible contributions to this scholarship endowment can be given online or via checks made payable to Southern Nazarene University and sent to the Development Office, Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th, Bethany, OK 73008. If you give online, be sure to specify clearly that it is for the Johnson Memorial Missions Scholarship.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: Why Study Missiology?

Missiology is the scholarly study of world missions within the context of Christian theology. It encompasses various other academic disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, history, theology, and cultural studies (all of which apply in some way to the understanding and practice of cross-cultural missionary work). Missiologists explore topics like the theology of mission, cross-cultural communication, the history of missionary movements, contextualization of the gospel, and the role of missionaries in fostering church multiplication efforts in different cultures and societies.

Missiology aims to critically analyze and improve the theory and practice of global missions. Its goal is to help initiate and shape sustainable, contextualized disciple-making movements across all cultural and geographical boundaries.

What are some hot topics in missiology today?