Pharos Journal of Theology (Jan 2015)
"Together towards Life": Reconceptualising Missio-Formation in Changing Landscape of World Christianity
Abstract
This article argues that mission-formation in contemporary Africa can no longer be thought of in a homogeneous manner but as a new constellation of missio-pedagogical languages. The modern missionary enterprise‘s use of the concept of ‗missionary‘ was linked to the old world order that was Eurocentric and hegemonic in nature. In our contemporary period, such language is outdated and a new language has emerged in the concept of missional or missio-formation which represents a desire to connect with the missio Dei. In this, the mandate of the church is to be the one sent to respond, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to the contemporary postmodern condition. In this the agents of mission are "the whole people of God", not just some expert class of people. This article therefore argues that how people are engaging with the existential challenges that threaten their daily lives should help reset the agenda of how missio-formation education of leaders is to be done. In line with this, an illustration of one of the emerging contextually friendly paradigms for missio-formation is given and its implication for curriculum formation in Africa is discussed.
