Ronald W. Johnson

Mission in the Kingdom Oriented Church

The 21st century is poised to present challenges to mission that we cannot yet imagine. These challenges will impact the way in which churches think about their role within the missio Dei. What are the hurdles that will need to be overcome? How will the missional church communicate the good news? What will be the character of the church that takes seriously the Kingdom of God? How will churches think theologically about mission in the 21st century? A primary task for the church of the 21st century will be to rethink mission and to move beyond tradition, old programs, and structures that may have limited mission in the past.”

Gospel Witness: What it Has Been, What it Might Need to Be

In this article Ron Johnson looks at the current model of evangelistic witness that is present in many places. He explores how Baptists have generally used one primary approach or model to present the gospel to unbelievers in recent decades. He then traces how the gospel was spoken of by the early Christians and explores the twists and turns as the church struggled to proclaim its faith. He ends the article with a challenge for evangelism to be reconsidered in light of mission to the world and how it needs to rediscover its theological roots and be expressed through genuine ministry.

The Continuing Challenge of Mission to the World

The challenge of being on mission in the 21st century can be informed by looking back to the wisdom of two Southern Seminary professors of mission, W.O. Carver and Hugo Culpepper. In two of their many articles Carver and Culpepper give a glimpse into the future we are now living. Carvers article, entitled, ““Foreign Missions”: The New Era and The New Method,” examined the role of the missionary in light of developing autonomy and indigenous Christianity developing across the world. He pointed to the successes of mission efforts and the natural course of events that lead to autonomy on the part of indigenous churches. He warned about the interference of boards and agency “statesmen” who often knew little of the work on the field and were often making policies for mission work that proved problematic to the missionaries on the field. He also spoke to the dangers of nationalism and how nationalism could threaten the very heart of the gospel itself. Hugo Culpepper wrote an article entitled, “The Christian Message Amid the eligions,” where he examined the growing reality of world religion and the need for understanding and dialogue. He examined the heart of each of the major world religions and sought to show how Christianity could enter into dialogue with each. Both articles are important for todays missionary in light of the tensions that missionaries from the U.S. face in a world that is rejecting perceived Western nationalism and from militant Islam. Carvers warning to agencies and boards is especially important in light of increasing pressure on missionaries from fundamenatlist sending agencies that make the work of the missionary more difficult on the field. Culpeppers article calls for more dialogue with world religions and understanding of their world view. This is especially important with Islam these days since so many missionaries are in countries where large populations of Muslims are present. Both articles can inform the missionary today. The articles seek to place the leadership for mission in the hands of the missionary and to empower the missionary to be more aware of the world in which they minister.

First Words… Five Challenges to Mission in the 21st Century

* Ronald W. Johnson is the Arnall, Mann, Thomasson Professor of Evangelism and Mission at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. There are many who believe that the current church culture in North America is in trouble. In fact, according to one writer it is on life support. Notice that the focus is on “church culture.” Few would argue that the concept of the body of Christ is the problem. Instead, the problem is that through history people have tended to identify church culture with the New Testament church. Our modern church culture is continually being indicted as being out of touch with not only the world but with the mission that Jesus Christ left for it to accomplish. Hence, many have lost confidence in the mission of the church. Today’s church culture, and especially the church culture of the South, may find that when the WWII money runs out and when the church loyalists die off, the whole notion of a culture that honors formal religious practice may become a mere relic. At this very moment, the churched culture is in heavy denial of a world that is profoundly different.