The thesis aims to assess the influence of the concept of Partnership in Mission in key policy statement of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) in relation to its mission training College of the Ascension, Selly Oak, Birmingham between 1965 and 1996. It will be demonstrated that the concept of Partnership in Mission owes its origins to the theology of <i>Missio Dei</i>, which understands that mission belongs to God and that the church’s role is to participate in God’s mission in the world. Partnership in Mission occurs when churches share resources for mission in mutual and interdependent relationships. The concept challenges the traditional practice of Western missionary agencies of transferring resources in a one-way direction from the West to the rest of the world. Learning to share together in God’s mission across geographical, cultural and theological boundaries is fundamental to the application of Partnership. The thesis examines the extent to which Partnership in Mission influenced decisions of the USPG in relation to the College of the Ascension. Each chapter of the thesis examines a key decision taken by USPG concerning the College of the Ascension between 1965 and 1996. The seven chapters are based on the following decisions: to re-open the College in 1965; to receive students from across the Anglican Communion in 1969; to review missionary selection and training policy in 1974; to inaugurate a College Advisory Group in 1978; to initiate a Bursaries Programme in 1982; to extend the college facilities in 1989; and to form a United College with the Methodist Church in 1996. Each chapter examines the minutes of USPG committees which outline the decision, and the background reports which illuminate the process taken to formulate the committee resolution.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:657339 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Marsh, Colin |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/30445 |
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