Christianity and Islam are both missionary in nature, but they are founded on different beliefs, values and practices, especially with regard to mission. The former believe in Jesus Christ and recognise His divine role as the saviour of the world, while the latter regard Him as a prophet who, after all, was rejected by His people, the Jews, as a result of which God sent Mohammed as His last messenger to the world. These varying and often conflicting beliefs have made it increasingly difficult for the Christian evangelical churches, including those at Eldoret, Kenya, to advance mission to the people of other faiths, the Muslims in particular. The differing views can offend the very essence of mission, namely God‘s mandate that is founded on the entire Bible. A proper understanding of mission as a concept is essential for effective mission to people of other faiths. Theologians refer to the Christian understanding of mission as the missio Dei. There is hardly any dispute among missiologists that God in His triune nature is the initiator, implementer and sustainer of mission, but the concept of the missio Dei is yet to attain an acceptable definition. Its nature and content remain problematic to theologians, missiologists, churches and other stakeholders in mission. This study critically examines mission to Muslims by five selected evangelical churches in Eldoret, Kenya, in light of the missio Dei. These are the Reformed Church of East Africa, the African Inland Fellowship Church, the Faith Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and the Anglican Church of Kenya. The research investigates how and the extent to which these churches have sought to implement the mandate. Mainly using data collected from oral interviews, the study finds that mission engagement to Muslims is slow and disjointed. The churches face challenges that include the lack of a concrete understanding of God‘s mandate i.e. mission, internal wrangling, financial constraints and neglect of the women and the youth. The study concludes that there is a need for the selected churches to reassess and reconsider their missionary approaches with a view to enhancing their ways of engaging with Muslims. In the final instance the study formulates a viable model for that purpose. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Christianity and Islam are both missionary in nature, but they are founded on different beliefs, values and practices, especially with regard to mission. The former believe in Jesus Christ and recognise His divine role as the saviour of the world, while the latter regard Him as a prophet who, after all, was rejected by His people, the Jews, as a result of which God sent Mohammed as His last messenger to the world. These varying and often conflicting beliefs have made it increasingly difficult for the Christian evangelical churches, including those at Eldoret, Kenya, to advance mission to the people of other faiths, the Muslims in particular. The differing views can offend the very essence of mission, namely God‘s mandate that is founded on the entire Bible. A proper understanding of mission as a concept is essential for effective mission to people of other faiths. Theologians refer to the Christian understanding of mission as the missio Dei. There is hardly any dispute among missiologists that God in His triune nature is the initiator, implementer and sustainer of mission, but the concept of the missio Dei is yet to attain an acceptable definition. Its nature and content remain problematic to theologians, missiologists, churches and other stakeholders in mission. This study critically examines mission to Muslims by five selected evangelical churches in Eldoret, Kenya, in light of the missio Dei. These are the Reformed Church of East Africa, the African Inland Fellowship Church, the Faith Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and the Anglican Church of Kenya. The research investigates how and the extent to which these churches have sought to implement the mandate. Mainly using data collected from oral interviews, the study finds that mission engagement to Muslims is slow and disjointed. The churches face challenges that include the lack of a concrete understanding of God‘s mandate i.e. mission, internal wrangling, financial constraints and neglect of the women and the youth. The study concludes that there is a need for the selected churches to reassess and reconsider their missionary approaches with a view to enhancing their ways of engaging with Muslims. In the final instance the study formulates a viable model for that purpose. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The aim of this work, Missional Focus, Form and Function are Redefining American Christianity, is to capture and express a cohesive account of a developing missional church movement in the United States and its influence across the American religious landscape resulting from an intentional emphasis on context (focus), and how that focus informs ministry form and function. The transition from the twentieth to the twenty-first century witnessed significant changes in ministry philosophy and practice not seen since the founding of the nation, and presents evidence substantiating that a redefinition of American Christianity is taking place. Achieving the aim of this work necessarily includes not only a recounting and interpretation of current shifts across activities of the Church in the United States in its broadest sense, but also the incorporation of other important and contributing influences such as historical elements and their contribution to the development and formation of American Christianity, specifically the relationship between religion and populist efforts to achieve national liberty, as well as the rise of secularism, and the entrance into the Post-Christendom era. Unquestionably, an important influence is that of contemporary voices speaking to the need for change in American Christianity and helping to redefine Christianity in the United States along missional concepts. Significant voices speaking into the greater international missional conversation and influencing missional efforts in the United States include Ryan K. Bolger, Neil Cole, Eddie Gibbs, Darrell Guder, Alan Hirsch, CJP Niemandt, Alan Roxburgh, Ed Stetzer, Craig Van Gelder, and others. Churches employing the term missional to describe their understanding, conceptualization, and approach to ministry are an additional and essential influence. Using unique forms demonstrating a non-traditional focus that result in a variety of functions atypical for American churches, these ministries are adding to the evidence of a redefinition process already in motion. Among the five ministries included in this work are two noteworthy examples of churches pursuing missional ministry: the Life in Deep Ellum ministry in Dallas, Texas, and Tampa Underground, a network of micro churches in Tampa, Florida. The activities of these and other churches demonstrate the relationship between focus, form, and function as embodied in a missional approach to ministry. Certainly, change is evident across the landscape of American Christianity, but how extensive and far-reaching must be determined. The goal of this work is not simply to confirm or dispute a redefinition of American Christianity as a result of missional church activity, but also in a broad and more overall fashion, to contribute to the larger dialogue addressing missional ministry in the United States, encouraging a greater understanding and embracing of missional ministry in American churches, and an energetic and effective pursuit of missional Christianity and church ministry in the United States. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Science of Religion and Missiology / PhD / Unrestricted

O jovem universitário brasileiro possui um importante papel na transformação da sociedade. O universitário evangélico brasileiro ao possuir uma fé como aquilo que o toca incondicionalmente e ao participar ativamente da missio Dei contribui de maneira ainda mais significativa nesta transformação. Este estudo busca compreender a participação do universitário evangélico brasileiro na Missio Dei e na propagação do Evangelho para a transformação da sociedade. Na primeira parte busca-se difinir o conceito de missio Dei mostrando que esta missão é um chamado para todas as pessoas e procura-se enfatizar a necessidade da pregação do evangelho através de palavras e obras, entendendo que esta pregação levará à transformações na sociedade. Na segunda parte apresenta-se um perfil do jovem universitário evangélico brasileiro, mostrando as principais características da Geração Y e a maneira como os jovens vivem a religiosidade. Na terceira parte é analisado a partipação do jovem universitário evangélico brasileiro na missão de Deus, e como ele se insere na propagação do evangelho para a transformação da sociedade. / The young Brazilian academic has an important role in the transformation of society. The Brazilian evangelical academic, as they have a faith which touch him/her unconditionally and as they actively participate in the missio Dei contribute in an even more significant way in this transformation. This study seeks to understand the participation of Brazilian evangelical academic in the missio Dei and in the promulgation of the Gospel to transformation of society. In the first part seeks to difine the concept of missio Dei showing that this mission is a call to all people and seeks to emphasize the necessity of preaching the gospel through word and deed, believing that this preaching will lead to changes in society. The second part presents a profile of the young Brazilian evangelical academic, showing the main characteristics of Generation Y and the way young people live their religiosity. The third part analizes the young Brazilian evangelical academic in God's mission, and how it fits in the promulgation of the gospel to transform society.

Gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar het rolspelers in Sendingwetenskap binne die Evangeliese en Reformatoriese tradisie steeds meer oortuig geraak dat Skrifgetroue sendingwerk ’n integrasie moet behels van teologiese visie en suiwer toegepaste Woordverkondiging waarin die kern van die evangelie steeds sentraal bly. Hierby geld dade van liefde, die najaag van geregtigheid en verligting van armoede asook vermindering van lyding om die verkondiging van die evangelie van Jesus Christus prakties te maak. Deur God se genade was die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland se sendingwerk in die KwaNdebele-omgewing in Suid-Afrika ’n belangrike instrument in die uitbreiding van God se koninkryk. Die huidige studie evalueer die integrasie van Woord en daad in hierdie kerke se sendingwerk binne die genoemde gebied in die lig van die missio Dei-motief. Hieruit kan belangrike insigte verwerf en ’n bydrae gelewer word tot Missiologie en Skrifgetroue sendingwerk in die Reformatoriese tradisie uit te bou. Die doel is om 'n model vir integrale sending binne ʼn missio Dei-perspektief daar te stel deur Bybelse beginsels en praktiese lesse te integreer. Hierdie studie voeg ‘n teoretiese en praktiese benadering saam om ‘n verantwoordbare en toepasbare model daar te stel. ʼn Bybels-eksegetiese begronding van integrale sending gebaseer op die missio Dei en 15 Bybelse sleutelbegrippe hieroor toon die onlosmaaklike eenheid van die motiewe hart, mond en hande. Dit bied ‘n verantwoorde basis vir integrale sending. Hierdie beginsels word getoets aan twee internasionale toepassingsvoorbeelde: die Miga Netwerk en die Lausanne-verklaring 2010, wat waardevolle insigte bied oor ʼn model vir integrale sending. Daarna word die gevolge en uitwerking van geïntegreerde Woord- en daadbediening in die CGKN se sendingwerk binne KwaNdebele ontleed. In die lig van literatuurstudies, ‘n argivale ondersoek en persoonlike onderhoude met sendelinge en kerkleiers in KwaNdebele volg waardevolle gevolgtrekkings in die lig van die missio Dei. Deur na beide die CGKN en die kerkleiers in KwaNdebele te luister, is ‘n balans gevind om ʼn operasionele denkraamwerk vir integrale sending op te stel. Verwante literatuur uit die teologie en wêreldwye sendinggebiede gee aan hierdie eksegetiese en empiriese studie verdieping. Die kern van die studie se bevindings is tweërlei: * Die CGKN het geïntegreerde sendingwerk in KwaNdebele verrig. Tog het ʼn onvolledige fundering van en visie op integrale sending in missio Dei-perspektief gelei tot ’n bediening wat ’n versnipperde beeld van integrale sending weergee. Hierdie leemtes hou waardevolle aanwysers in vir sending met hart, mond en hande. * Daar is wel voldoende teologiese, teoretiese en praktiese beginsels en hulpmiddels wat die ontwerp van ‘n bruikbare model vir geïntegreerde sending aanhelp. Só ʼn model kan meehelp om die lewensgehalte van die mense in KwaNdebele en ander wêrelddele tot eer van God te verhoog, terwyl dit steeds deeglik met die konteks en kultuur rekening hou. Die navorsing mond uiteindelik uit in ‘n operasionele denkraamwerk wat prinsipiële en praktiese besinning begelei vir integrale sending in KwaNdebele en diverse kulturele kontekste wêreldwyd. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar het rolspelers in Sendingwetenskap binne die Evangeliese en Reformatoriese tradisie steeds meer oortuig geraak dat Skrifgetroue sendingwerk ’n integrasie moet behels van teologiese visie en suiwer toegepaste Woordverkondiging waarin die kern van die evangelie steeds sentraal bly. Hierby geld dade van liefde, die najaag van geregtigheid en verligting van armoede asook vermindering van lyding om die verkondiging van die evangelie van Jesus Christus prakties te maak. Deur God se genade was die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland se sendingwerk in die KwaNdebele-omgewing in Suid-Afrika ’n belangrike instrument in die uitbreiding van God se koninkryk. Die huidige studie evalueer die integrasie van Woord en daad in hierdie kerke se sendingwerk binne die genoemde gebied in die lig van die missio Dei-motief. Hieruit kan belangrike insigte verwerf en ’n bydrae gelewer word tot Missiologie en Skrifgetroue sendingwerk in die Reformatoriese tradisie uit te bou. Die doel is om 'n model vir integrale sending binne ʼn missio Dei-perspektief daar te stel deur Bybelse beginsels en praktiese lesse te integreer. Hierdie studie voeg ‘n teoretiese en praktiese benadering saam om ‘n verantwoordbare en toepasbare model daar te stel. ʼn Bybels-eksegetiese begronding van integrale sending gebaseer op die missio Dei en 15 Bybelse sleutelbegrippe hieroor toon die onlosmaaklike eenheid van die motiewe hart, mond en hande. Dit bied ‘n verantwoorde basis vir integrale sending. Hierdie beginsels word getoets aan twee internasionale toepassingsvoorbeelde: die Miga Netwerk en die Lausanne-verklaring 2010, wat waardevolle insigte bied oor ʼn model vir integrale sending. Daarna word die gevolge en uitwerking van geïntegreerde Woord- en daadbediening in die CGKN se sendingwerk binne KwaNdebele ontleed. In die lig van literatuurstudies, ‘n argivale ondersoek en persoonlike onderhoude met sendelinge en kerkleiers in KwaNdebele volg waardevolle gevolgtrekkings in die lig van die missio Dei. Deur na beide die CGKN en die kerkleiers in KwaNdebele te luister, is ‘n balans gevind om ʼn operasionele denkraamwerk vir integrale sending op te stel. Verwante literatuur uit die teologie en wêreldwye sendinggebiede gee aan hierdie eksegetiese en empiriese studie verdieping. Die kern van die studie se bevindings is tweërlei: * Die CGKN het geïntegreerde sendingwerk in KwaNdebele verrig. Tog het ʼn onvolledige fundering van en visie op integrale sending in missio Dei-perspektief gelei tot ’n bediening wat ’n versnipperde beeld van integrale sending weergee. Hierdie leemtes hou waardevolle aanwysers in vir sending met hart, mond en hande. * Daar is wel voldoende teologiese, teoretiese en praktiese beginsels en hulpmiddels wat die ontwerp van ‘n bruikbare model vir geïntegreerde sending aanhelp. Só ʼn model kan meehelp om die lewensgehalte van die mense in KwaNdebele en ander wêrelddele tot eer van God te verhoog, terwyl dit steeds deeglik met die konteks en kultuur rekening hou. Die navorsing mond uiteindelik uit in ‘n operasionele denkraamwerk wat prinsipiële en praktiese besinning begelei vir integrale sending in KwaNdebele en diverse kulturele kontekste wêreldwyd. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Based on the missional experiences of the Wolaita Zone Kale Heywet Church (WZKHC) in Southern Ethiopia, this dissertation argues the indispensable nature of the holistic approach to mission in order to fulfil the missional responsibility of the church effectively. Balance must be kept between the two aspects of mission (evangelism and social concern) and they need to be integrated as working towards a single goal of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. In other words, neither of the two aspects of mission may to be magnified at the expense of the other nor should they be dichotomized as two unrelated parts. Mission emerges from the nature of God. Ever since the creation of the universe God has been at work and the church takes part in what he is doing. God's mission is holistic. Through Jesus Christ, He is working towards the redemption of the whole creation to its originally intended state. The research attempts to give attention to this concept as the Kingdom-oriented (Messio Dei) mission versus church-centered mission in light of holistic approach. To weigh the experience of the church (WZKHC) from the perspective of the Scripture, OT and NT analysis will be done in detail. Furthermore, the eschatological views pertinent to the final state of the creation and millennium will also be assessed in order to find out their contribution as a root of imbalance or polarization between evangelism and social concern. The aim of the study is to find out the factors that contribute to the imbalanced and non integrated approach to mission in the WZKHC in order to help the church regain the holistic perspective. This would be done mainly through qualitative research method, although quantitative approach is also employed rarely. / Thesis (M.A. (Missiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Based on the missional experiences of the Wolaita Zone Kale Heywet Church (WZKHC) in Southern Ethiopia, this dissertation argues the indispensable nature of the holistic approach to mission in order to fulfil the missional responsibility of the church effectively. Balance must be kept between the two aspects of mission (evangelism and social concern) and they need to be integrated as working towards a single goal of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. In other words, neither of the two aspects of mission may to be magnified at the expense of the other nor should they be dichotomized as two unrelated parts. Mission emerges from the nature of God. Ever since the creation of the universe God has been at work and the church takes part in what he is doing. God's mission is holistic. Through Jesus Christ, He is working towards the redemption of the whole creation to its originally intended state. The research attempts to give attention to this concept as the Kingdom-oriented (Messio Dei) mission versus church-centered mission in light of holistic approach. To weigh the experience of the church (WZKHC) from the perspective of the Scripture, OT and NT analysis will be done in detail. Furthermore, the eschatological views pertinent to the final state of the creation and millennium will also be assessed in order to find out their contribution as a root of imbalance or polarization between evangelism and social concern. The aim of the study is to find out the factors that contribute to the imbalanced and non integrated approach to mission in the WZKHC in order to help the church regain the holistic perspective. This would be done mainly through qualitative research method, although quantitative approach is also employed rarely. / Thesis (M.A. (Missiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

This study looked at the journey towards becoming a missional church, using Beach Mission Presbyterian Church as a case study and explores the question of the missiological praxis of Beach Mission and UPCSA. Despite the fact that the church is not fundamentally the keeper of mission, it is however the sign, instrument, means of expression, and foretaste of God’s mission to the troubled, broken and traumatised world. I can affirm with equal validity that, mission belongs to God. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission – God’s mission. The UPCSA must give careful attention to the processes by which it governs itself but the biblical and theological foundations will always be crucial than the specific structures implemented. These foundations will allow authentic relationships to develop simply because they assure people that they will be valued as those created in the image of God. Their wisdom and participation will be noticed and honoured. The church structures will give credence to God’s work of reconciliation. When church structures allow the biblical and theological foundations to order its life, the church will bring glory, praise and honour to God. Gibbs (2005:20) asserts that, the church of the twenty-first century needs missional thinkers and apostolic leadership. By missional leadership I mean leaders who can read the Scriptures with fresh eyes, relating the story of redemption to the human condition in its present cultural context – contexts that are increasingly multicultural and influenced by global trends. This poses a challenge to UPCSA. It was apparent that the Beach Mission Presbyterian Church approaches missional church conversation with a sense of hopefulness, and this was motivated by the strong belief that God is present and up to something wonderful. The Beach Mission Presbyterian Church’s case in point is heartening other congregations who intend in embarking on a journey towards becoming a missional church. The focus has been about God and his mission. The Beach Mission Presbyterian Church ought to comprehend the indisputable fact that it is just an instrument for missio Dei or to put it simply it is nothing more than a delivery means for the gospel. Wright (2010:31) asserts that, but at the end of the day, mission is a matter of loyalty. The ambassador must have complete loyalty to the government he or she represents. A trusted messenger will faithfully deliver what his sender said, not his own opinions. The church is a rejected community sent out to the world with a product (Jesus), to bring about transformation to the world. In essence, one wonders if the church does comprehend the world in which it is sent out to? Does it comprehend God, who has sent it? In the missional church, the theology is more than the self-serving what do you get mentality. Members comprehend that they are called to be the church rather than be served by it. / Dissertation (MA Theol)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

This thesis includes a literary, as well as an empirical study examining the degree to which congregations within the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika took church growth into consideration in the planning and erection of church centres during the past ten years. The methodology of practical theology is reflected by means of three concepts, namely: understanding, explanation and change. This study focuses mainly on the first two concepts - expressed as the hermeneutical understanding and the empirical reality. The third concept could be examined in a further study, in conjunction with research already done in this study. The hermeneutical understanding or theory was researched with two focal points in mind, namely: the theological perspective - in which the emphasis was firstly on the identity of the Church in Christ and secondly on the calling of the Church, expressed in the missio Dei and discipleship. The other focal point was the Biblical ideal, as it appears in the Word and is interpreted by theological traditions. The second action in this methodology was the empirical measurement in order to verify whether this hermeneutical understanding in reality, was negotiated within the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika. Apart from a few exceptions, the conclusion reached is that the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika did not consider church growth in the planning and erection of its church centres. It also became clear that the Church’s calling is aimed internally and not externally and the Church does not fulfil its mission- and discipleship calling. / Dissertation (MA (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted