Abstract
In The Symphony of Mission missiologist Michael W. Goheen and pastor Jim Mullins, using symphony as a metaphor, explicate the scope of God’s mission, the role of the individual in God’s mission, and practical methods for participating in mission.
God created a world characterized by shalom and perfection and sanctioned humanity to subdue and care for it. The shalom and perfection were soon shattered, however, because of humanity’s rebellion against God. Idolatry, injustice, and curses then wreaked havoc on creation and caused dissonance. But God planned to restore creation and to that end chose Israel to carry out his redemptive mission. He led his people in ebbs and flows in order to ultimately fulfill his grand mission through the Messiah, Jesus. Subsequently, the church has become the extension of Israel and Jesus in carrying out the commission of restoration to the ends of the earth until the consummation of God’s mission. As the emissary of God to the world, the church should commit itself to be present and incarnational, depend on the Spirit, be holistic and communal rather than individualistic, be distinct from the world, and be motivated by God’s love. Participation in God’s mission requires three essential movements: stewardship in day-to-day activities, service that exemplifies God’s love, and proclamation of the good news.
Individual believers should seek to identify their vocation according to their abilities, affections, the aches of the world they encounter, and the realities in which they are situated. Identification of one’s calling is not enough, however. It should be followed by intentional missional engagement in “a specific people, place, or problem” (167). Goheen and Mullins note that Christians, especially in the West, struggle with focus and long-term missionary engagement, and thus they lack sustainability. In order to participate faithfully and intentionally in God’s mission for the long haul, the authors offer Sabbath, consistent prayer, and being hopeful while groaning.
The authors are to be commended for underlining that mission belongs to God but that all believers are called to participate in it. Also worth noting is their emphasis on the importance of listening, discerning, and persevering for a long-term impact versus missionary engagement that is ephemeral or that prioritizes performance.