INTEGRAL MISSION: THE THEOLOGY OF INTEGRAL MISSION
A paradigm shift in Mission
TOOLS OF DOING THEOLOGY of Integral Mission:
- Listening to his word
- Submission to God
- Analysis of the context
- Action for transformation
- Reflection on overall in put
The cycle begins again with listening to God
- 1. Listening to his word
This starts with the acknowledgement of God as the creator of the universe. Some references include Genesis chapter one, Psalm 8, 46, 47, 104 and much more to include the whole scripture as it testifies to the Lordship Of God over heaven and earth. We meet God in Jesus Christ the WORD which became FLESH and dwelt among us (John 1:14). His word nourishes our lives (whole) in order to bring into our being abundant life (John 10:10). Our listening should develop into obedient living before God (Philippians 2). Being before God leads to awareness of our unworthiness. Obedience includes acknowledgment, confession and repentance of our sins. In his grace he calls us for ministry after equipping us with all we need (Isaiah 6; Luke 10; I Corinthians 12 etc). We are called upon to work out our salvation with fear trembling (Philippians 2:12) guarding against pride (Prov.8:13; 11:2; 16:18; Ezek 28, 30, 31, 33) because this is the domain of the devil. The equipping includes the fruit of the Spirit as well (Gal 5:22-23) which displaces the old nature (Gal.5: 19-21). More virtues are added to our lives. As God works in us it is no long us at work but him fulfilling his purpose causing virtue to manifest in us (2 Peter 1:5-11). To these virtues we add courage, justice, wisdom and moderation. We also include those which renowned Christian theologians have identified for a Christian fruitful life. John Stott has suggested the following: Servant hood, industry, Perseverance, vision, discipline etc). Then the obedient are sent or commissioned to go and have God’s purpose fulfilled in their lives (Matt. 28: 18 -20).
- 2. Submission to God
Our submission to God is based on the divine endowment found in every individual, which links us with God. Without this divine endowment it would be impossible for humanity to know God. This knowledge of God is either rejected or embraced. When we reject God we are like Adam and Eve, created by God but once we hear him in our circumstances we hide from his face because of our sin (Gen. 3). When embrace God we are further given a revelation of him. In this revelation we come to the knowledge that God has a specific purpose for our lives here on earth (Gen. 12, Call of Abraham; Exodus 3 call of Moses; Isaiah 6 call of Isaiah and that of Jesus Christ in his humanity Philippians 2 and Paul in Acts 9). He points us to our area of impact and equips us to work with him to address the need.
- 3. Analysis of the context
We now have the eyes of godly people by which to look at the world around us God’s way. Here we do Needs analysis. We choose the project to be carried out. We make a SWOT on this specific project followed by a strategic plan and implementation plan.
How does God see Uganda or any specific area of our project focus?
Here we shall depend on what God has revealed to us (Deut. 29:29). This list varies from context to context. Every region will listen and open their eyes to what God is showing them as their responsibility.
Here below is a general list for Uganda’s challenges which many have confessed (Micah’s strategy)
The increase of sin – general depravity many people living morally corrupt lives in private and in public responsibility.
Need for salvation – which God alone can offer through submission to Jesus Christ.
Poverty – causing much suffering leading to poor livelihoods that affect education and self-esteem etc)
Disease (TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, HEP.B/E Ebola etc) increasing number of orphans, single parents, poor parenting which leads to more social challenges in the 56% of the population who are below 20 years (Stat. 2005)
Armed political conflicts – leading to displaced people, break down of psycho-social support etc.
Very few concerned people are doing little uncoordinated intervention. The church of Christ supposed to be one exhibits fragmented efforts as well. This disunity is adding to the problem such that there is no consolidated impact by the church of Christ.
In the past the church has concentrated on spiritual side of people’s lives. Politics and business were considered to be secular and therefore sinful. We now acknowledge that our God is overall. Theology opens this line of thinking and provides the support so that we can build on the gains
The government is constantly reducing its support of churches as it seeks to be seen to be liberal and accommodative of Islam (coming with big push and money to strategically position itself for greater influence in transforming the society) in its efforts to control the country – Uganda. Bonna Baggagaware (Wealth for all) is already supporting few – typical of all capitalistic interventions to poverty.
- Action
Our action is going to be guided by needs and resources based on the leadership’s vision and priority.
Our hope is that the leadership will have submitted to God, listened to his word, done a thorough analysis of the context, performed a good SWOT , strategic planning, that involves the community – PEP (CCMP comes to mind). All these must be focused on improving the whole life of the believer. Evangelism and discipleship would continue; Social and politico- economic for transformation; advocacy for social change.
- Reflection on the action – A biblical basis for reflection on our action for holistic transformation
For every work done there is always need to sit back and evaluate the process. Has it reached the intended goal? The reflection in this case does not only refer to the action but to the whole process. That is from our submission to God; listening to his WORD, analysis of the context, action itself and whether we are reflecting in a godly way. Here use an overview of Moses birth, growing, his reading of the word, analysis of the context while in the Pharaoh’s palace, his action and escape to median (Jethro’s home). Then his new call in Exodus 3, listening to God’s instruction (Exodus 20) (WORD), Analysis of the context with God (Exodus 3:7-12; 33: 1- 35:1-ff), Action and final reflection with God (Deut. 31 – 34). Moses’ work is continued in Joshua’s time. Joshua had long submitted to God. He listens to God instructions in Chapter one. In chapter two he sends spies to assess the situation (Analysis of the context). The rest of the chapters Joshua is in action – God’s way. Chapter 24 is Joshua’s reflection on the whole process and died in verse 29. Elders after him carried on the work.
Jesus is the pro-type of this process. Group work on how Jesus qualifies the tools of doing the theology of work: Listening to God (Rev. 5), Submission (Jn 5:19-30), Analysis of context (Luke 4: 18-19), Action (The passion of Christ – The Cross Mtt. 27: 27-28:1-10;Mk 15-16; Luke 23-24; Jn 19-20) and Reflection John 17!!