The Mission Matrix

CONTENTS

Abbreviations xi

Introduction 1

PART 1: MISSION LANDSCAPES
1. Revealing the Divine Initiative 7
2. Identifying Boundaries in Mission 21
3. Christendom Mission 45
4. Mission in the Global Church 59

PART 2: MISSION THEOLOGY
5. Building Blocks of Mission Theology 75
6. Biblical and Theological Road Map 93
7. How We Describe Mission Matters 117

Conclusion 137

Bibliography 139
Index of Scripture 149
Index of Topics and Names 151

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Kirk J Franklin (PhD, University of Pretoria) is a researcher, author, and speaker about leading in God's global mission. He is married to Christine, and they have been members of Wycliffe Bible Translators for over 40 years. They live in Melbourne, Australia.

Paul Bendor-Samuel (MD) is the Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. He is married to Elizabeth, and they have served for more than 30 years with Interserve, an interdenominational, international mission agency focused on Asia and the Middle East. They live in Oxford, England.

Deborah Crough, a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators for nearly 40 years, is currently a communications consultant. With her husband, Dave, she has worked in various feature article writing and editorial roles. She lives in Santa Maria, California, USA.

QUESTIONS TO THE AUTHORS ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
The idea for this book came out of teaching and facilitating that we have been doing with master’s and doctoral students as well as leaders of international mission agencies who wanted and needed a foundation of Mission Theology in their studies and their work. As we engaged with participants, we heard their positive responses. This convinced us that a book like this was needed that could serve both mission and church leaders and practitioners.

2. What is distinctive about content of your book?
This book focuses on the connection between theology and practice in rapidly changing mission contexts. The book probes the extensive realm of Mission Theology, dissecting its terminology and discerning its profound implications regarding God’s mission (missio Dei) primarily from the vantage point of the Protestant mission movement. The authors explore a concise journey of mission history and the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary mission contexts. This book attempts to help mission thinkers and practitioners develop the essential theological tools to enable us to participate more fully and faithfully in God’s mission.

3. Why is this subject important?
The radical transformation of the church into a global reality, rooted in countless different contexts, sparkling with linguistic, cultural, and theological diversity, demands mission leaders and practitioners re-examination what faithful witness and participation in God’s ultimate purposes look like today.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
The authors approach Mission Theology neither as an abstract subject nor from a purely academic perspective but through the lens of lived experiences. They do so because they both have been practitioners and leaders in mission for many years. They both would have liked to have had a book like this when we were starting and serving in our various mission roles to help equip them on their missional journey. They believe the book will likewise help anyone committed to God’s mission.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
The authors’ backgrounds in mission have shaped their approach to this book because both are Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and both sets of their parents served with mission agencies. Both authors were raised in the environment of mission and consequently pursued God’s calling and equipping to serve in mission. Consequently, the authors approach Mission Theology neither as an abstract subject nor from a purely academic perspective but through the lens of lived experiences.

The Mission Matrix surveys the extensive realm of Mission Theology, dissecting its terminology and discerning its profound implications regarding God's mission (missio Dei) primarily from the Protestant mission movement perspective. The reader is invited on a personal journey of growth as a reflective practitioner, fostering integrity, creativity, openness, and curiosity within the realm of mission, scrutinizing the factors that have shaped one's own Mission Theology. This introspection, conducted against the backdrop of engagement with Scripture, mission context, ministry background, and personal experience, promises to be a transformative experience, equipping and informing the reader while creating an insatiable hunger to delve deeper into the profound world of God's mission through Mission Theology.

The history of missions, its successes and its downfalls, and the theologies behind mission paradigms are all
packed into this priceless little book! The authors are offering a true gift to the church—all the tools necessary
for us to form a responsible theology of mission obedient to the life of the Trinity.
Myrto Theocharous, PhD, Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, Greek Bible College, Athens, Greece

The Mission Matrix voices a clarion call to rethink our theoretical and practical approaches to mission.
Recognizing the myriad mission theologians over the years who reflected on and responded to mission history,
this book also acknowledges the current and rapidly changing global context of mission and the resulting
questions for the church and its mission practitioners.
Stephen Coertze, PhD, Executive Director, Wycliffe Global Alliance

The Mission Matrix acquaints the reader with Mission Theology and practice of mission. It convincingly seeks not to present a singular mission theology – from the authors or others – but provides a comprehensive guide through the field and the discipline.
Marina Ngursangzeli Behera, Research Tutor, MPhil Stage Leader and Editor of Transformation, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

The Mission Matrix voices a clarion call to rethink our theoretical and practical approaches to mission. Recognizing the myriad mission theologians who
reflected on and responded to their over 2000 years of mission history, this book also acknowledges the current and rapidly changing global context of mission and the resulting questions for the church and its mission practitioners. The Mission Matrix presents a multidisciplinary path from the centre of our triune
God and his word, as we re-evaluate our Mission Theologies and adjust our theories and practice accordingly.
Stephen Coertze, PhD, Executive Director, Wycliffe Global Alliance

This book represents a significant endeavour to provide an accessible introductory handbook of current thinking on Mission Theology.
William Dyrness, (D)Theol, Dean Emeritus and
Senior Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

This introductory text offers a well-informed and wide-ranging taster of the riches of theology of mission, from biblical texts to missional readings and Trinitarian approaches. Located as a Protestant mission theology, it is open to learning from the church globally, including different continents and traditions. I can’t think of a better start for the reflective practitioner who embraces integrity, creativity, openness, and curiosity in participating in God’s mission.
Kirsteen Kim, PhD, Paul E. Pierson Professor of World Christianity and Associate Dean for the Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA

We are living in the season of great changes in mission. A good theology of mission is critical. Old paradigms are not helpful anymore. To create new ones, we need to understand where we have come from and where we are now. This accessible book offers readers an important perspective that helps them discern the times as well as a theological foundation of mission on which they can build.
We need more books like this.
Harvey Kwiyani, PhD, CEO of Global Connections, UK

Mind the gaps! In our fragmented world, what tools are needed to identify gaps in our understanding of God’s mission? The Mission Matrix is a reflective journey through history, paradigms, mission theology, human effort, and partnership with a God of surprises. It invites us to learn from failure, missional hermeneutics, and the global church. Be equipped and inspired to re-examine, re-adjust, and discover new tools for engaging in mission.
Diane Marshall, PhD, Leadership Mentor, former Global Director of Regional Development, SIM International

The global mission community is sorely in need of a theological schema to help us better navigate a rapidly changing world in partnership with an increasingly diverse global church. Methodologies too quickly become rigid, but a contextually malleable matrix can be powerfully agile. The Mission Matrix provides us with exactly that – a context-sensitive tool that should be considered indispensable for every reflective practitioner of mission seeking to strengthen their and others’ participation in God’s mission.
Jay Mātenga, PhD, Executive Director, Mission Commission, World Evangelical Alliance

The Mission Matrix provides a highly accessible exploration into mission theology within the contemporary global landscape. Written by two esteemed scholar-practitioners, Paul Bendor-Samuel and Kirk Franklin trace the development of mission theology throughout church history. They then highlight the significance of mission theology for our dynamic and increasingly complex global world. This volume offers a wonderful primer on contemporary missiology.
Gregg A. Okesson, PhD, Author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World, Asbury Theological Seminary

Theology, even more so, Mission Theology, cannot be an ivory tower enterprise and neither can mission practice proceed without it being anchored in solid theological reflection. In this introductory, really packed book, Franklin and Bendor-Samuel succeed in demonstrating how Mission Theology and mission practice belong inseparably together. This work should help to cement cooperation between mission theologians and practitioners. It has much to offer to the academy as well as the church.
Rev. Prof. B. Y. Quarshie, Rector, Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, Ghana

In The Mission Matrix, Bendor-Samuel and Franklin have given mission thinkerpractitioners a tidy reference volume and toolkit. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly small size of this volume – these two TCKs’ informed depth of reflection and grass-roots familiarity with the subject is reflected in the skill in which they have weaved together, concisely and creatively, an amazing breadth of mission history, theological perspectives and missiological strategy in a brilliant and refreshingly relevant framework for missional engagement. This is a priceless resource and essential read not just for students of mission but for any believer who wants to follow Christ’s Way of mission.
Ivan Satyavrata, PhD, Board Chair, World Vision International