Publisher's Synopsis
It is a time for Christians to reimagine God, church and mission, a time for adventurous experiments. In this book is cutting-edge missiology for the church in Western society, suggesting new and contextual ways to engage in mission. Churches in the West are facing rapid change, as they grapple with factors such as post-Christendom, postmodernity and multiculturalism. What shape does the mission of God take in these contexts? Where is God at work and how can Christians co-operate? What shape does the church take as it rediscovers its missional roots? As well as containing an outstanding introductory chapter by Professor Stephen Bevans SVD (from Chicago) on reimagining God, this collection of essays represents some of the best writing of Australian missiologists today. In it are chapters on God, spirituality, church and the theology of mission. Then it addresses various Australian contexts, which occur in varying ways elsewhere in the English-speaking Western world as well- the media, indigenous culture, multiculturalism, a multifaith society, inner urban life, migration out of cities and the pursuit of new spiritualities. In each case it asks how mission needs to be reimagined in the context. Finally, two chapters reimagine education for mission. This book explores the theological questions that emerge in a changing society. It also tells the stories of some bold and experimental ways of engaging in mission. It is a significant contribution from Australian missiologists to the church in Australia and in other similar contexts.
