Christianity: Mission

Question 1

What is the importance of mission?

Answer 1

• Some Christians, especially in the past, believed it is their task to take the Christian faith everywhere in the word:
  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
• However, missionaries do more than evangelism - they try to bring education and scientific knowledge to developing countries.
• The World Council of Churches is a missionary organisation that has two aims: to convert people to Christianity, but also to try to bring about peace, dialogue and ecological sustainability.

Question 2

Outline the different Christian attitudes towards the importance of mission in 21st century Britain.

Answer 2

• Conversion to Christianity is still seen as important by some Protestant evangelical churches
• Most denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic and Anglican) see helping countries develop as more important than conversion

Question 3

What is evangelism?

Answer 3

The belief that all other religions are wrong and everyone should convert to Christianity:
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Question 4

Outline the different Christian attitudes towards the importance of evangelism in the modern church.

Answer 4

• The Archbishop of Canterbury believes evangelism is a priority for the Church
• The Salvation Army has a strong tradition of evangelism: they believe their mission is to ‘save souls, grow saints and serve a suffering humanity.’
• More liberal Christians believe other religions should be accepted and forceful conversion is wrong

Question 5

What are the reasons for the growth of new forms of Church?

Answer 5

• Greater focus on community
• Belonging to a Church as an identity rather than going to a mass every Sunday
• Reflects the religion of the first Christians
• Led by the Holy Spirit rather than a formal liturgy
• Greater freedom and equality