Christian Mission in the Middle East

CONTENTS

Introduction
John Holdsworth and Wilbert van Saane 1

Problems and Possibilities of Cooperation in Mission among (forcibly)
Displaced People in the Middle East
Caleb Hutcherson and Brent Hamoud 7

Mission and Discipleship in Context:
A Contribution from Cyprus and the Gulf
John Holdsworth 21

Cooperation in Creation Care
Rima Nasrallah 31

Mission: A Proclamation in Dialogue. A Focus on the Middle East
Ecumenical Contribution to Interfaith Dialogue
Elias El Halabi 45

Mission and Education: A Call from the Land of the Cedars to the
Middle East – A Catholic Perspective
Ziad Fahed 57

Monasticism and Mission in the Middle East
Antoine Al Ahmar and Garen Yosolkanian 69

The Involvement of Protestant Women in Theological Education and Mission in the Middle East from 1921–2021
Grace Al-Zoughbi 85

Cooperation between Foreign Mission Agencies and Local Protestant Churches: The Case of the Christian Endeavor Union and the Armenian Evangelical Churches
Asadour Manjrian 99

Martyrdom and Mission in the Middle East
Wilbert van Saane 113

Notes on Contributors 129

EDITORS:

Wilbert van Saane is Assistant Professor of Theology and Mission at the Near East School of Theology and Campus Minister and Lecturer at Haigazian University, Beirut. He is an ordained minister in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

John Holdsworth is a practitioner theologian, recently retired as Executive Archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, and a former theological college principal. He is Visiting Professor of Theology and Ministry at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln UK.

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITORS ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
This book came out of a study process around mission in the Middle East. The focus was on cooperation in mission and the role of ecumenical bodies. Scholars from across the ecumenical spectrum lent their expertise. During the meetings, they shared their insights, which led to a rich exchange. Their contributions are presented in this volume.

2. What is distinctive about the content of your book?
This book sheds light on the recent history and the current state of Christian mission in the Middle East. It discusses various expressions of mission, such as mission through Christian education, creation care, and youth ministry. As such, this book may be useful to scholars and practitioners. It is characterised by an ecumenical approach. Islam is taken seriously as the main conversation partner of the churches. The authors are from various church backgrounds and have written in an ecumenical spirit. Cooperation is important in the Middle East region, where Christian communities face different forms of pressure.

3. Why is this subject important?
Christian communities in the Middle East are highly involved in witness and service. They do this in a way that is distinct from other regions. Think of the important role of monasticism in the Middle East and the realities of war and martyrdom. The Christian communities view their presence as meaningful and do not choose the victim role. They often work together with other churches and agencies from inside and outside the region. All this merits thoughtful attention and reflection.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
This book can help practitioners in churches and Christian organisations reflect on their ministries. The authors sketch ways of cooperation that have developed over the past century and continue to be relevant. It sensitises readers to the unique features of mission in the region and calls for a rethinking of important aspects of mission, such as the role of women. The book also signals new realities that require fresh responses. Think of the way migration has changed the ecclesiastical landscape in the Gulf region.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
The Middle East is the region where the cradle of the church stood and from where the gospel spread across the earth. It is also the home of the other monotheistic religions. The encounter with Islam has especially influenced the churches. This is a unique context for Christian mission. This volume may inspire readers from other regions.

In a region where the cradle of Christianity stood and where the church has had an uninterrupted presence, Christian mission is taking on new forms. These shifts are prompted by vast socio-economic, demographic, geopolitical, and ecological changes. This volume shows how Middle Eastern Christians are jointly exploring new paths in mission and how they are relating to other faiths, especially Islam. It paints an image of resilient and creative Christian communities with a costly commitment to mission.
The series of books arises from a study process that marked the centenary of the International Missionary Council (IMC), founded in 1921 at Lake Mohonk, USA. It has its origin in the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches, which wanted to celebrate the work of its historical predecessor IMC (1921-1961).