The growth of partnership in mission in global mission history during the twentieth century

Abstract

Partnership in mission came to be a byword for developing missionary relationships during the twentieth century. During this time its meaning and practice changed, often imperceptibly. This is seen in the regular conferences of the International Missionary Conference and its successors which had their origin in the International Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh, 1910. A further problem was making the concept a reality in relationships despite great disparities in resources. This has given rise to the negative critique of the slogan as empty and meaningless. Partnership – “… the ecumenical movement’s guiding principle of sharing of resources” (Wisniewski 2006:7). “We need one another to be effective instruments of God in multi-lateral mission today” (Nyomi 2006:14).