Affirming Our Common Calling: Interdependence for polycentric mission

There was a point in time when mission was understood as the divine right of certain people from certain places to convert some people living in some places to Christianity. The target of mission then was the so-called heathens living in distant lands afar who had no sense of the Divine nor authentic religion. The major focus of mission during the 19th century was winning souls and planting churches while overlooking the social ills of the time that distorted the gospel of Christ. However, with the birth of the 20th century and its emphasis on ecumenism, and the 21st century that features world Christianity, the dynamics have changed. No longer is mission understood in parochial terms nor the gospel as lacking in power for social change. The 21st century missional trends have created a context that makes networking the desirable path for world mission.

• The Context for Mission
• Missional Koinonia as Framework for Mission Networking
  . . . missional koinonia connotes the idea of God’s people in partnership together with God and with one another for the holistic transformation of God’s creation that is groaning for restoration.
  ‘[Missional koinonia ] is a call for partnership and collaboration among equals with diverse giftedness, resources, and numbers; all working with a common purpose and mission to the glory of God.’

For more information go to Affirming Our Common Calling: Interdependence for polycentric mission on the Lausanne Movement website.
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