Abstract
This volume contains contributions from nineteen authors representing six continents, with a refreshing contemporary reflection on mission theology in the Methodist tradition. Editors David Scott, mission theologian for the General Board of Global Ministries (UMC), and Darryl Stephens, professor of ethics at Lancaster Theological Seminary, each contribute a chapter and write the introduction. The contributors critique the colonial North-South, center-periphery, and paternalistic mission models that have forged and perpetuated power imbalances. Not only do the authors acknowledge the errors of the past, but they also name the enduring vestiges of the colonial model and call for greater equity in mission. The authors cite particular case studies where the colonial model is still present and encourage the empowerment of people at the margins—laity, women, youth, and people from the Global South.
While the editors and most of the contributors are United Methodists from the United States, and while the emphasis is on mission in the United Methodist Church, there is representation from the global church, with chapters that refer to mission work in Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Latin America, Sierra Leone, South Korea, and Southern Africa. The book appropriates the General Board of Global Ministries’ tagline as its subtitle, namely, “from everywhere to everywhere,” which is a theme in the book. Mission is multidirectional, replacing the traditional unidirectional mission model. The authors cite and applaud examples of collaborative missions, equity, peace, justice, holistic mission, migration, creation care, health and healing, ecumenism, economic development, political engagement, and students, youth, and women in mission. In his conclusion, Scott reminds readers that the intention was not a scholarly report through the lens of World Christianity; rather, the book is a practical review of emerging trends in the Methodist tradition. While acknowledging the sins of colonialism and racism that have plagued missions, the book points to examples where more mutual mission models are succeeding. Yet there is still work to be done.
As an edited volume, the book is not intended to offer a systematic or comprehensive missiology. Rather, it gives voice to the perspectives and experiences of the contributors—some in the form of case studies, and others in the form of lived experience. As a result, the book does have some gaps. For example, I would be curious to learn more from emerging mission models from non–United Methodists and affiliated autonomous Methodist churches, such as the Korean Methodist Church. Although the book was published in 2021, it was written prepandemic. It would be interesting to learn how the pandemic has impacted mission trends. Nevertheless, the book does offer valuable contributions to the study of emerging mission trends, and I commend the editors for inviting a diverse collection of authors. This volume can be read as a whole, or chapters can be read separately on certain world regions or mission topics. The book is ideal as recommended reading for a seminary course on missions, a local church book study, or as a resource in United Methodist Women’s Mission.