Holistic Mission

“The International Congress on World Evangelization held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974 was a milestone in the history of evangelicalism around the world. One of the factors (perhaps the most important one) that made a difference was the significant input that Lausanne I had from the Majority World especially on issues related to the social dimension of both the gospel and the mission of the church. I am very pleased to recommend this collective work as a wonderful demonstration that the seed that was planted at that historical gathering has been bearing and continues to bear fruit on a global scale. C. René Padilla, author of Mission Between the Times: Essays on the Kingdom, President Emeritus of the Kairos Foundation, and President of the Micah Network It may have taken half a century but at last it seems that evangelicals have grown past the struggle to re-unite what they should never have pushed asunder in the first place. If the Lausanne Covenant of 1974 provided a powerful mandate for recovering an integrated and holistic understanding of biblically authentic mission as intrinsically including both evangelism and social responsibility, then Cape Town 2010 ought to mark the consolidation of that recovery and enable us all to move forward alongside those parts of the world church that have always had such an understanding of the gospel and mission, unhampered by western dichotomizing. This comprehensive volume, rich in its range of content and of international voices, helpfully documents a century of debate and gathers together some of the major issues in it – theological and practical – through the authoritative reflections of some of those who have been most influential in the movement, and others who are poised to carry the message to their own generation. It is particularly encouraging that in this volume a third major issue of missional importance has been recognized and added to the two that Lausanne 1974 wrestled with – namely creation care in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth. “We remind ourselves that the Bible declares God’s redemptive purpose for creation itself. Integral mission means discerning, proclaiming, and living out, the biblical truth that the gospel is God’s good news, through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, for individual persons, and for society, and for creation. All three are broken and suffering because of sin; all three are included in the redeeming love and mission of God; all three must be part of the comprehensive mission of God’s people.” Cape Town Commitment, Lausanne III, 2010. Christopher J.H. Wright International Director, Langham Partnership International Author of The Mission of God (IVP), and The Mission of God’s People(Zondervan) For much of the last century Christian mission has been bifurcated between those have majored on evangelistic proclamation and those who have defined mission as embodying the values of the reign of God. This collection of essays will forcibly remind the former that the gospel in its fullness is a message of the transforming rule of God over all creation. Equally it will remind the latter that God’s reign of justice will not come unless mission-minded churches introduce people to transforming encounters of repentance and faith. The contributors of these essays, coming as they do from all parts of the globe, provide ample testimony that for the majority of the world church today there is no contradiction between the gospel of grace and the gospel of justice.”

Brian Stanley

“The broad perspectives shared in the book are insightful and thought-provoking, especially for those of us who come from a background where cultural and religious practices are so intertwined. We need to keep biblical witness sharp and we are helped here to do that. ‘Lay missionaries’ will find themselves grappling with the true meaning of the gospel, and thinking through new ways to present it to individuals and communities, within their context. This book brings out the need for continuous engagement, dialogue and theological reflections on biblical doctrine and practices.”

Affy Adeleye

“This is a valuable sample of evangelical ‘reflection on praxis’ from men and women active in holistic mission as well as theological education in different parts of the world. The book offers different but complementary perspectives on the development of the concept of holistic or integral mission in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The Lausanne movement since 1974 contributed to match evangelical zeal for evangelism with realism and sensitivity to the pain and tragedy of the human condition of the poor who are the majority of the world. Some of the tensions within world evangelicalism that are part of this development point to a process of growth in acceptance of the fact that the Christian church today is a global reality. Acceptance and acknowledgement of that fact is indispensable for the continuation of Christian mission, and this book is an excellent contribution towards that kind of understanding.”

Samuel Escobar

“Holistic mission’ has bread an extensive literature since it was adopted around 50 years ago as a new way of describing the evangelistic task to which God calls evangelical Christians. Many now prefer ‘integral’ but either adjective now describe what is probably the default evangelical understanding of mission. The beauty of this volume is that it brings together in one place contributions from many that have been key players in the development of the concept. For anyone who wants to find out about the origin, meaning and story of ‘holistic mission’ this is an ideal place to start. For those committed to the task it maps the challenges that we face if we are to fulfil the vision.”

Dewi Hughes