International Bulletin of Mission Research
Scope & Guideline
Exploring the Frontiers of Mission Studies
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Global Christianity and Cultural Contexts:
Investigates how Christianity interacts with diverse cultures, examining the implications for mission and theological understanding in various global contexts. - Migration and Identity:
Explores the relationship between migration and Christian identity formation, particularly how diasporic communities navigate their faith within new cultural landscapes. - Historical and Contemporary Mission Practices:
Analyzes both historical and contemporary mission practices, providing insights into their evolution and impact on global Christianity. - Interfaith Dialogue and Relations:
Focuses on the dynamics of Christian engagement with other faiths, particularly in pluralistic societies, and the potential for collaboration and dialogue. - Theological Reflections and Innovations:
Encourages theological reflections that respond to contemporary challenges, including issues of justice, identity, and community within the mission context.
Trending and Emerging
- Contextual Theology and Local Expressions of Faith:
A significant increase in research on contextual theology, emphasizing how local cultures shape and inform Christian practices and beliefs. - Impact of Digital Technology on Mission:
Growing interest in how digital platforms and technology are transforming mission practices, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. - Social Justice and Advocacy in Mission:
An emerging emphasis on the intersection of mission with social justice issues, exploring how faith communities engage in advocacy and action for marginalized groups. - Ecumenical and Interfaith Cooperation:
A trend towards exploring cooperative efforts between different Christian denominations and faiths, responding to global challenges through collaborative mission initiatives. - Migration and Transnationalism:
An increasing focus on the experiences of migrant communities and their role in reshaping Christian identity and mission in new contexts.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Colonial Mission Narratives:
There is a noticeable reduction in papers focusing on traditional colonial mission narratives, reflecting a shift towards more contemporary and contextual mission studies. - Eurocentric Perspectives on Christianity:
The journal has moved away from predominantly Eurocentric perspectives, indicating a growing emphasis on voices and experiences from the Global South. - Static Models of Missionary Work:
Static models that do not account for the dynamic nature of contemporary mission efforts are becoming less prevalent, as the focus shifts to adaptive and innovative approaches.
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