Missiology at Southern Nazarene University

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, published by 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 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. Insights 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 of agriculture, education, medicine and public health.

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

SNU: Global passion at a small university in America's heartland

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 br />
- 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?
- International Bulletin of Missionary 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
  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 this web site's resources for Nazarene Missions International ( NMI ) groups.

NBC distance education missions course

Global evangelism - a 6-week fully-online course that looks a 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 denomiation'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 of information. Being able to pray intelligently means you must know what is going on. [ more ]

"While looking at your web site, 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 missions graduate from Southern Nazarene University

Adoniram Judson's son wrote that his dad -- 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 SNU's mission program would be an individual of deep spirituality. Key word: "Faithfulness"
The person would be both curious and humble in his or her approach to cultures as well possessing as 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. Key word: "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. Key word: "Dedication"
The person would have a drive to speak well the language of the people to whom he or she will go.
The person could effectively communicate with home constituency about their ministry vision, activities and needs. Key word: "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 husband resources as well as being both strategic and creative in using what is available. Key word: "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

-- Howard Culbertson

Missions songs Missions statistics 10/40 Window explanation and map Seeking God's will? African martyr's commitment Mission trip fundraising Ten ways to ruin mission trips