According to experts, mission work is facing the greatest upheaval in history. What changes are we facing? In terms of mission history, we are indeed facing epochal changes. The global political, social, religious, ecclesiastical and world mission changes emphasise how much we are being challenged. The modest beginnings of the Protestant mission movement in the 18th century have grown into large churches in the Global South in the 21st century. Their vitality and membership far exceed that of European Christianity. Today, we are experiencing a decline in (mainstream) churches almost everywhere in Europe. This is due to secularisation, individualisation and pluralisation. The mission work outside the Western world, on the other hand, is growing dynamically. The American sociologist and missionary historian Gina A. Zurlo has projected that in 15 years, 77 per cent of Christians worldwide will live in the Global South. The centre of gravity of world Christianity has shifted. As a result, Germany or Europe is increasingly becoming the receiving country or continent. Missionaries from abroad, especially from the two-thirds world, will join us. They have a great passion to reach our dechurched and secularised Europe with the Gospel. This means that mission work today is carried out from everywhere to everywhere and from many centres. It is no longer a one-way street. What does this shift mean for a classic Western mission organisation like the Liebenzell Mission? It means that we have to change and seize the opportunities that every upheaval brings with it. We need to clarify our role and our self-image, as well as our strategies. The need for Western missionaries in many traditional mission countries is changing. Local churches have developed their own structures and are working more independently. Some of the things that have been tried and tested over centuries are no longer necessary. Local churches and local health and educational institutions are taking on the tasks that were initially performed by mission organisations. Even more challenging is the fact that the mission service itself is being called into question in some Western churches. For the future, this may mean that some forms and branches of work of traditional mission organisations should be abandoned. New paths can be taken together with local and other partners. What does this mean in concrete terms for the Liebenzell Mission? A simple “business as usual” is out of the question – given the current situation. As a mission organisation we will develop more strongly into a receiving mission in Germany. This means that more employees from abroad or with a migration background will be deployed in our existing or new areas of work. We need this internationalisation, which will make us more colourful and diverse. We will also be stepping up our collaboration with local partners, but also with sending local churches. The ability to build such partnerships will be a decisive factor for future work. Our sending models will be characterised by more diversity. This also applies to individual employment modalities and the opportunities for (volunteer) work. New paths must therefore be explored with a great deal of experimentation and courage of faith. This also applies to technical developments and the associated opportunities. In the face of all change, our motto remains: “Everyone. Everywhere: God’s love is for everyone. Everywhere!” It urges us; to those near and far. Europe is becoming the No. 1 world mission focal point. What challenges do you see in the increasing migration? Global migration will continue to grow. We may only be at the beginning of a major migration. We expect the population of Africa to double in the next generation. One direct consequence of migration is increasing urbanisation. The population explosion in the world’s mega-cities is progressing inexorably, along with the problems that this development brings with it. New missionary initiatives and church plants are needed in these metropolises. Millions of highly mobile people, many of whom have lost their cultural roots, need to be reached. Migrant churches and congregations in particular represent an opportunity to become anchor points for minorities in these social focal points, as well as for refugees and displaced persons. As a result, dealing with migrants and refugees is becoming the global task for mission work in the 21st century. What does the future of our mission organisation depend on? Every form of mission depends at all times on the Lord of mission, who said: “Without me you can do nothing!” This also applies to the future of the Liebenzell Mission. We continue to need a focus on Christ and his words as well as an obedient heart. As at all times, the mission service of the future O 21 Threefold disaster in Japan O After the threefold disaster in Japan with tsunami, earthquake and nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, the Liebenzell Mission launches one of the largest relief operations in its history. Several aid teams from Germany are helping in the tsunami area and refugees from Fukushima are being taken in at the retreat centre in Okutama. Start of the university O The Liebenzell International University of Applied Sciences (IHL) is founded and receives state accreditation. It replaces the Liebenzell Mission Theological Seminary. Theological education and world mission have been directly linked since the founding of the Liebenzell Mission. The President of the IHL is Prof. Dr. Volker Gäckle. 2011 2011
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