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 includes 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 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 carried out 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 cros-cultural gospel outreach, discipleship 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 omportance 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 know 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 be motivated to speak well the language of the people to whom they will go. Keyword: "Communicator"
The person could productively 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

Afterword: What Might a Student of Missiology Expect to Learn?

A student of missiology, the academic study of global Christian missions, can expect to be exposed to the following subjects or areas:

Biblical and Theological Foundations
The biblical basis for missions as found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Theological concepts such as the missio Dei (the mission of God) that have ramifications for the Church.
Church History and Missions
The history of Christian missionary activity, from the early Church through the modern era.
Analysis of important missionary movements and figures.
The impact of colonialism and post-colonialism on missions.
Cultural and Contextual Understanding
Cross-cultural communication and the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in various cultural contexts.
Understanding worldview, cultural dynamics, and social systems.
Principles of contextualization: adapting the message and methods of missions to local cultures without compromising (and perhaps even stregthening) core Christian beliefs.
Strategies and Methods of Mission
Evangelism, church planting, and discipleship strategies.
Approaches to community development and humanitarian aid as part of global missions.
Use of technology and media in missions.
Contemporary Issues in Missions
Globalization and its impact on missions.
The rise of non-Western missionary movements.
Responding to challenges like religious pluralism, persecution, and secularism.
Anthropology and Sociology
Study of human societies, behaviors, and religions.
Insights into how social changes can affect evangelism and discipleship.
Ethical Considerations
Balancing cultural sensitivity with faithfulness to the Gospel.
Dealing with past abuses in missions, such as cultural imperialism.
Practical Training
Language acquisition and cultural immersion.
Leadership development and team dynamics in global contexts.
Fundraising, logistics, and partnership building.
Missiological Research
Analyzing mission trends and patterns through qualitative and quantitative methods.
Examining the theology of religions and interfaith dialogue.
Future Trends
Emerging opportunities for missionary work in urban centers, digital spaces, and unreached people groups.
The role of the local church in global missions.

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

Acrostic: Missiology

M- Methods of cross-cutural Christian outreach,
I- Investigating contextualization efforts, good and bad
S- Seeking understanding of diverse worldviews,
S- Studying barriers that the gospel must cross.
I- Integrating theological reflection with practical action,
O- Organizing the Church for Great Commission fulfillment,
L- Learning from history and exemplary missionaries,
O- Opening hearts through reflecting Christ.
G- Growing in knowledge, deepening the commitment,
Y- Yielding to the biblical call to reach one and all.

Like acrostics? Here are more of them

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.