missions of the church Flashcards
1
Q
the mission of the church
A
- right from start of its existence the Church has been a missionary Church
- in his commission the the disciples, Jesus told them to go out to the world to spread the good news in teaching & healing
- new testament relates how in early days of Church’s existence, Christians involved in three aspects that are still typical even now: evangelism, mission to Christian community, mission to the poor & disadvantaged
2
Q
mission as evangelism - in early church
A
- less than 30years after ministry of Jesus, story and meaning of his life, death & resurrection had been taken throughout Mediterranean world
- this evangelism carried out by Jesus’ disciples & other converts some of whom would’ve been merchants and traders
3
Q
mission as evangelism - in nineteenth century
A
- continued throughout succeeding centuries but took on a new dimension when powerful European nations created empires, creating colonies in America, Africa & Asia
- in nineteenth century Britain, were number of societies who sent out trained missionaries to these colonies to convert those who lived there
- learned the language of the people and lived among them teaching them about Christianity & providing medical care/education
4
Q
mission as evangelism - in modern day
A
- in 20th century common for local Church communities in UK to support missionary families financially and in prayer
- focus now often less on conversion from other faiths to supporting local Christians communities in outreach projects
- some missionaries wok in secular occupations & teach gospel to any who wish to hear it
- throughout 20th century in UK numbers of Christians attending churches declined & whole generation had grown up with little connection with religion
- 1977 Alpha Course started where Christians invited non-churchgoers t a meal then a talk discussing aspects of Christian faith
5
Q
mission to the poor & disadvantaged - in early church
A
- in early centuries Church was noted for its care of those in need
- example, when famine broke out in Jerusalem & food prices would have rocketed, the Christians of Antioch in Syria sent money
6
Q
mission to poor & disadvantaged - development of mission of the church
A
- over centuries, charity schools set up for poor, financed by bequests from Christians who were well off
- in 19th century, Church of England Children’s Society formed to provide homes with loving family environment for homeless kids & still provides care in forms of day-care centres, giving advice etc
- 1980s Church of England set up Church Urban Fund to address poverty it identified by working in local communities with Churches for particular issues, addressing hate/prejudice by encouraging community cohesion providing a safe lace to discuss issues, setting up financial services for distress of unmanageable debt
-from 1990s to now practical help given to the poor through food banks and churches often manage these - churches have also been responsible for setting up agencies whose main concern in those suffering in less economically developed countries with Catholic bishops in UK setting up CAFOD working with partner churches where help is needed & provide emergency and long-term development aid
7
Q
mission to Christian community
A
- in 19th century Industrial Revolution led to 1000s people moving to towns/cities & church’s missionary focus in UK providing money to build new churches, training clergy etc
- things changed in 20th century with rapid decline in church attendance
exception to this decline was rapid growth of evangelical charismatic Christianity led to building of many new churches & more traditional forms of evangelism - evangelical Christians also run spring harvest which are holiday camps taking place at popular resorts where learn more on Christian faith
-growing emphasis on ecumenism (drive to promote unity between diff churches) sometime share buildings and often work together in caring for the community
