A Just Mission

1. Western Missions: A Legacy of Harm and Hope

In our attempts to do good, we have dropped bombs in communities and left them to pick up the pieces.

Dual Nature of Missions. Western missions have a complex legacy, marked by both positive contributions and harmful consequences. While missionaries have brought education, healthcare, and the gospel to many parts of the world, their efforts have often been intertwined with colonialism, cultural imperialism, and the imposition of Western values. This has resulted in a disruption of local cultures, economic exploitation, and a cycle of dependency.

Acknowledging the Damage. It's crucial to acknowledge the harm caused by past mission practices. This includes recognizing the ways in which mission work has been used to justify colonization, suppress indigenous cultures, and promote Western superiority. Ignoring these issues prevents genuine reconciliation and hinders the development of a truly just and equitable mission movement.

Moving Forward with Humility. The path forward requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to listen to the voices of those who have been harmed by Western missions. This involves decolonizing our understanding of mission, challenging our assumptions about other cultures, and prioritizing the needs and perspectives of local communities. It also means recognizing that mission is not a one-way street, but a collaborative effort that requires mutual respect and partnership.

2. Redefining the Missionary: Character Over Profession

The missionary we needed lived in our home.

Beyond Institutionalized Practice. The traditional Western view of a missionary often focuses on someone affiliated with a philanthropic organization, emphasizing their work over their character. However, the biblical concept of being "sent" by God is not limited to a specific profession or institutional role. It's a call to all believers to live a life of discipleship, marked by Christlike character and a commitment to sharing the gospel.

The Importance of Character. True missionaries are known for their Christlike character, not just the type of work they do. This includes qualities like humility, compassion, integrity, and a willingness to serve others. These qualities are essential for building trust, fostering genuine relationships, and effectively communicating the gospel in diverse cultural contexts.

Embracing the Call to "Be." The emphasis should shift from "doing" mission to "being" a missionary. This means focusing on personal transformation, developing a deep relationship with God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to be witnesses in our daily lives. It's about living a life that reflects the love and grace of Christ, attracting others to him through our words and actions.

3. The Doctrine of Discovery: A Stain on Mission History

The doctrine of discovery provided a theological foundation for the assertion of white supremacy.

Legal Principles of Colonization. The Doctrine of Discovery, a set of legal principles rooted in 15th- and 16th-century papal decrees, provided a theological justification for European colonization and the seizure of indigenous lands. It asserted the right of Christian nations to claim dominion over non-Christian lands and their inhabitants, leading to violence, genocide, and slavery in the name of Christian evangelization.

Dehumanization and Cruelty. The doctrine dehumanized indigenous peoples, portraying them as "savages" who were unworthy of possessing their land. This dehumanization excused the colonization of the Americas and Africa, as well as the countless massacres and injustices inflicted upon native populations.

Confronting the Legacy. To build a truly inclusive mission movement, we must confront the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery and its ongoing impact on our institutions and relationships. This involves acknowledging the historical injustices committed in the name of Christianity, challenging the assumptions of white supremacy, and working to dismantle the systems of oppression that continue to perpetuate inequality.

4. Contextualizing Theology: Beyond Western Norms

We will never understand the significance of Jesus Christ if we do not understand the rage he can provoke.

Cultural Lenses. Western theology often presents a limited view of God, shaped by Western culture and philosophical traditions. This can lead to a misunderstanding of other cultures and a tendency to impose Western norms on non-Western contexts. It's crucial to recognize that God reveals himself in diverse ways, and that each culture has unique insights to offer about his character and his will.

The Power of the Holy Spirit. Western theology sometimes neglects the power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of spiritual experiences. In many parts of the world, dreams, visions, and miracles are seen as vital to furthering the gospel. A more holistic approach to theology would embrace the full range of spiritual gifts and experiences, allowing for a more dynamic and transformative faith.

Learning from the Global Church. The Western church needs to learn from the theological insights of the global church, particularly from ancient churches in Africa and Asia. This involves studying the works of non-Western theologians, listening to the experiences of Christians from diverse cultural backgrounds, and being open to new perspectives on God and his Word. It also means recognizing that theology is not just an intellectual exercise, but a lived experience that is shaped by culture and context.

5. Short-Term Missions: Good Intentions, Questionable Impact

To hell with good intentions. This is a theological statement.

The Problem with "Mission Vacations." Short-term mission trips, while often motivated by good intentions, can have a questionable impact on local communities. They can perpetuate a cycle of dependency, reinforce stereotypes, and fail to address the root causes of poverty and injustice. They can also be more about the goer's self-actualization than the receiver's well-being.

Poverty Tourism. Short-term missions can sometimes resemble "poverty tourism," where participants visit impoverished communities for a brief period, take photos, and then return home without making a lasting impact. This can be exploitative and dehumanizing, reducing people to objects of pity rather than recognizing their inherent dignity and worth.

A Relational Approach. A more effective approach to mission involves building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with local communities. This requires listening to their needs, respecting their culture, and empowering them to lead their own development efforts. It also means recognizing that mission is not about "saving" others, but about walking alongside them in a spirit of solidarity and partnership.

6. Money as a Sacred Cow: Re-evaluating Philanthropy

For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet.

Challenging Capitalistic Models. The Western church often operates within a capitalistic framework, where financial success is seen as a sign of God's favor. This can lead to a distorted view of generosity, where giving is seen as a way to gain status or earn tax breaks rather than as an act of selfless love. It's crucial to challenge these assumptions and embrace a more biblical understanding of wealth and poverty.

Horizontal Generosity. The early church practiced a form of "horizontal generosity," where believers shared their resources with one another, ensuring that no one was in need. This model emphasizes community, reciprocity, and a shared responsibility for the well-being of all. It stands in contrast to the top-down approach of Western philanthropy, which can perpetuate inequality and create dependency.

Decolonizing Giving. To decolonize our giving, we must shift our focus from vertical to horizontal philanthropy. This involves building relationships with people from diverse economic backgrounds, listening to their needs, and empowering them to lead their own development efforts. It also means challenging the systems of economic injustice that perpetuate poverty and inequality.

7. Restorative Justice: The Gospel's Call to Action

Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

Beyond Individual Salvation. The gospel is not just about individual salvation, but also about the restoration of all things. This includes addressing the systemic injustices that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and inequality. As Christians, we are called to be agents of restorative justice, working to create a world where all people can experience God's shalom.

Confronting Global Injustice. This involves confronting global injustices such as neocolonialism, proxy wars, and economic exploitation. It also means challenging the power structures that perpetuate inequality and advocating for policies that promote fairness and equity.

Empowering Local Leaders. The most effective way to promote restorative justice is to empower local leaders who are working to address these issues in their own communities. This involves providing them with resources, training, and support, and amplifying their voices on the global stage. It also means recognizing that they are the experts in their own context and deferring to their leadership.

8. Diaspora Leadership: The Key to a Just Mission

It is time for the lion to write, for us to tell our stories as they are and to find a path to truly heal and unify.

Untapped Potential. The diaspora community, composed of individuals living outside their home countries, represents a vast and largely untapped resource for the mission movement. These individuals possess unique cultural insights, linguistic skills, and a deep understanding of both their home countries and their adopted countries.

Bridge Builders. Diaspora leaders are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between Western and non-Western cultures. They can serve as cultural interpreters, helping to navigate complex social dynamics and build trust between different groups. They can also provide valuable insights into the needs and perspectives of local communities, ensuring that mission efforts are culturally appropriate and effective.

Empowering the Exiled. The Western church should actively seek out and empower diaspora leaders, providing them with opportunities to lead, teach, and shape the direction of mission efforts. This involves recognizing their expertise, valuing their perspectives, and creating spaces where they can thrive. It also means challenging the systemic barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the mission movement.

9. The Power of Staying: Local Impact, Global Vision

The missionary we needed lived in our home.

Shifting the Focus. Instead of always looking outward, the Western church needs to focus on making a difference in its own communities. This involves addressing issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice in our own backyards, and building relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Hospitality and Generosity. One of the most powerful ways to make a local impact is to practice hospitality and generosity. This means opening our homes, our churches, and our hearts to those who are marginalized and vulnerable. It also means sharing our resources with those in need, and advocating for policies that promote fairness and equity.

A Global Vision. While focusing on local impact is important, it's also crucial to maintain a global vision. This involves staying informed about global issues, supporting international organizations that are working to address poverty and injustice, and advocating for policies that promote peace and development around the world. It also means recognizing that our actions at home have global consequences, and striving to live in a way that is consistent with our values.

10. A Call to Mutuality: Building a Collaborative Future

In order to break the hierarchy of elitism in the institutionalized mission movement, we must address issues of white supremacy, decolonize our faith, and institute restorative justice.

Beyond Transactional Relationships. The future of mission requires a shift from transactional relationships to genuine partnerships. This means moving beyond a model where Western organizations provide resources and expertise to local communities, and instead building relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and shared goals.

Listening and Learning. A key element of mutuality is listening to the voices of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. This involves creating spaces where they can share their stories, express their needs, and shape the direction of mission efforts. It also means being willing to challenge our own assumptions and biases, and to learn from the wisdom and experience of others.

A Collaborative Future. The future of mission is not about one group "saving" another, but about all of God's people working together to build a more just and equitable world. This requires a commitment to collaboration, partnership, and a shared vision for the kingdom of God. It also means recognizing that we are all part of the same global body, and that we need each other to fulfill God's purpose for our lives.

Last updated: February 23, 2025