Publisher's Synopsis
The purpose of this volume on mission and unity is to bring to public attention a broad overview on the history, development and perspectives on the role of mission in the pursuit of unity and the central biblical focus on unity as a prerequisite for an authentic witness in mission. The volume raises concrete questions: If the churches can agree on unity for mission, then does this visible unity go any further than the 'mutuality, partnership, collaboration and networking' of the Edinburgh 2010 Common Call? Does the call to unity or communion imply common touch stones, structures or ministries to serve the communion of churches in mission? Might the Holy Spirit be prompting a fresh mission to the churches to promote unity? It is an exciting moment in the convergence of traditions within World Christianity. Engaging together in new configurations, believers of many backgrounds are exploring common ground and identifying paths to consider as we continue proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Contributors to this volume provide insights from a diversity of experience, from perspectives orthodox and catholic, evangelical and charismatic, mainstream and pioneering. -Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches The disunity of God's Church must grieve him beyond all telling. How much we have to repent of. These essays take us on an honest and sobering journey through the causes and scandal of our separateness - beyond simple diversity - and help us understand the barriers from the perspectives of many streams of the world church. It calls us to pray and work for reconciliation and change, for God's sake. -Rosemary Dowsett, lecturer, co-leading Global Missiology Task Force, World Evangelical Alliance This book fills a significant gap in mission literature on an important topic: mission and unity. It brings together biblical, theological, and practical perspectives, as well as very useful information on how mission and unity are being pursued today in different parts of the world. An indispensable guide to being part of God's one mission to the world. -Robert Schreiter, Professor at Catholic Theological Union Edinburgh 1910 placed the ideal of the intrinsic inseparability of unity and mission on the global Christian agenda. However many have only managed to subscribe to this by reducing either unity or mission to less than what they are. This book reaffirms this ideal in all its fullness, and challenges us through numerous case studies to strive for its attainment. A most commendable exploration of the theme ""that they may all be one... so that the world may believe""! -Hwa Yung, Bishop Emeritus, the Methodist Church in Malaysia John Gibaut is Director of the Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches. Knud Jorgensen is Adjunct Professor in Missiology at the MF Norwegian School of Theology .
