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Globalization & Missions Today. S. H. Larsen, D.Min., Ph.D. Globalization: Problems and Opportunities. Megatrends in the world Globalization & technology. The relationship of the time span of social change to individual life span. Years of individual longevity. 25. 30. 40. 50. 70.
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Globalization & Missions Today S. H. Larsen, D.Min., Ph.D.
Globalization: Problems and Opportunities • Megatrends in the world • Globalization & technology
The relationship of the time span of social change to individual life span Years of individual longevity 25 30 40 50 70 Time-span of social change Ancient Rome Renaissance 18th– 19th Centuries 20th Century Figure 2.1: Malcolm S. Knowles, 1975. The Modern Practice of Adult Education. Association Press. page 38.
Globalization: Problems and Opportunities • Megatrends in the world • Globalization & technology • Urbanization • Migration • Cultural pluralism, worldview change • Growth of world religions, persistence of folk religions • Accelerating population growth
Number of years to add one billion Billion 7 World and Urban Population Growth 7 6 9 5 12 4 15 3 30 2 100 1 World Population up to 1830 Urban Population 0 A.D. 1000 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 from Hiebert 1985
Globalization: Problems and Opportunities • Political, economic, and ecological changes • Megatrends in the global Church • Growth of Christianity • Persecution of believers • Shift from open/closed to restricted access countries • Internationalization of Christian missions
The Christian church grows serially The Church in 100 AD
The Christian church grows serially The Church in 400 AD
The Christian church grows serially The Church in 1500 AD
The Christian church grows serially The Church in 1990 AD
The Purpose of Missions • …is to glorify the triune God through fulfillment of the Great Commission which God the Father has given to God the Son (Isaiah 49:6), and in which the people of God are privileged to participate by the Son’s express invitation and command (Matthew 28:18-20), through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
Global Missions Perspective • Individual’s disposition to see oneself & others in the broader context of God’s activity, and the role of each believer and community (including the culturally other) • Focus is upon reconciliation with God & others and the gathering of believers into local fellowships • Whole-person ministry: social justice & stewardship of the earth are legitimate, but not central focus