Western Christians and Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church?
Overview
A century ago, Christianity was still primarily centered in North America and Europe. By the dawn of the twenty-first century, Christianity had become a truly global faith, with Christians in Asia, Africa and Latin America outpacing those in the rest of the world. There are now more Christians in China than in all of Europe, more Pentecostals in Brazil than in the United States, and more Anglicans in Kenya than in Great Britain, Canada and the United States combined. Countries that were once destinations for western missionaries are now sending their own missionaries to North America.
Given these changes, some think the day of the Western missionary is over. Some are wary that American mission efforts may perpetuate an imperialistic colonialism. Some say that global outreach is best left to indigenous leaders. Others simply feel that resources should be focused on the home front. Is there an ongoing role for the North American church in global mission?
Missions specialist Paul Borthwick brings an urgent report on how the Western church can best continue in global mission. He provides a current analysis of the state of the world and how Majority World leaders perceive North American Christians’ place. Borthwick offers concrete advice for how Western Christians can be involved without being paternalistic or creating dependency. Using their human and material resources with wise and strategic stewardship, North Americans can join forces with the Majority World in new, interdependent ways to answer God’s call to global involvement.
In this critical age, the global body of Christ needs one another more than ever. Discover how the Western church can contribute to a new era of mission marked by mutuality, reciprocity and humility.
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- Provides a current analysis of the state of the world.
- Offers concrete advice for how Western Christians can be involved.
- Discovers how the Western church can contribute to a new era of mission.
Paul Borthwick has done it again! The prolific writer, motivator, educator and mentor this time acts as a well-informed, reliable and creative global missions tour guide. He takes us on a journey which compels us to rethinking as well as reengagement. I am glad that after a global missionary pilgrimage he takes us back to his home base, for I have a deep conviction that the U.S. is still God’s most forward nation. Borthwick’s biblical passion, personal touch and global experience make him a competent interpreter and builder of bridges between what God is doing in America and the rest of the world. Read, reorient and act!
--Peter Kuzmic, distinguished professor of world missions and European studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and founding president of Evandeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Osijek, Croatia
Today’s huge changes in the world and the church are bewildering to navigate. How can we be part of what God has called all believers to be and do--his witnesses in a hurting and needy world? Paul Borthwick’s analysis of the global church comes from his friendships with many in the Majority World. Writing as a reflective practitioner, Paul helps Western Christians face critical issues of attitude, heart and strategy with grace, courage, crosscultural sensitivity and a learner’s heart. This book presents a strong, clear invitation to missional living. It will help you align yourself and your church with what God is doing in his world today.
--Jeanette Yep, pastor of regional and global outreach, Grace Chapel, Lexington, Massachusetts
For decades Paul Borthwick has persevered in his call to travel the world and teach the way the best teaching is done: to small groups of leaders who have become his friends. This has given him an excellent opportunity to sense the pulse of the life of Christians in the Majority World. Now he has used this knowledge, and augmented it with wide reading, to address his own people in what may be the most important book he has written.
--Ajith Fernando, teaching director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka
- Title: Western Christians in Global Mission: What's the Role of the North American Church?
- Authors: Femi B. Adeleye, Paul Borthwick
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Pages: 224
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Missions; RELIGION–Christian Ministry–Missions
- ISBNs: 9780830866052, 0830866051
- Resource ID: LLS:9780830866052
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T21:01:24Z