Douglas2020 Redacted.Pdf (2.382Mb)
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. SIM – Strengthened through Diversity? An Examination of the Origins and Effects of Cultural Diversity within a Multi-national Christian Mission Agency 1975-2015 Alexandra Kate Douglas Doctor of Philosophy The University of Edinburgh 2019 Declaration I declare that this thesis has been composed by me and is entirely my own work. No part of this thesis has been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification. Signed: Date: 3 February 2020 i ii Abstract SIM – Strengthened through Diversity? An Examination of the Origins and Effects of Cultural Diversity within a Multi- national Christian Mission Agency 1975-2015 Through a historical analysis of the mission theology and practice of SIM, an evangelical mission organisation that was originally dominated by North Americans but is now increasingly multi-national, this thesis seeks to understand where the organisation’s vision and commitment to diversity originated and how it has adapted to accommodate its stated goal: ‘strengthened through diversity’. Focusing on 1975- 2015, this research explores the experience of one ‘faith mission’ in the context of the growth of Christianity as a global religion and the developing mission vision of churches in countries which previously only received missionaries. It asks how SIM has adapted to embrace diversity, a process of change not previously addressed through academic research. Through archival research and interviews with past and present SIM leaders and serving missionaries, this thesis illuminates the challenges of cultural diversity SIM has faced. It reflects on the role of individuals in SIM’s history who have worked out the lessons of their own mission experience during a later period of leadership at international level. Relating SIM’s experience to other evangelical mission organisations, this thesis suggests that SIM’s story is indicative of wider trends, and that it was at the forefront of organisations seeking to encourage cultural diversity. This study employs a primarily historical methodology, but also makes use where appropriate of anthropological perspectives and of concepts from iii management science in order to offer some theoretical exploration of issues faced by SIM in the outworking of everyday multiculturalism. After setting SIM in the context of conservative evangelical missions in the 20th century and wider debates taking place amongst mission thinkers, the thesis traces the origins of diversity in SIM and the process of internationalisation, demonstrating the way in which the emphasis on strength through diversity recaptured something of the original vision of SIM’s founders. It then explores the ways in which diversity has been defined within SIM, recognising different understandings, the primary emphasis on cultural diversity, and the limitations to diversity. The following three chapters explore the effects of increased cultural diversity in SIM through examination of the changing shape of mission-church relations as the organisation broadened its approach to a new model for mission which supported missionaries from new sending nations; the governance and structural changes implemented to move from a shareholder to stakeholder model of governance, and give voice to an increasingly diverse mission workforce; and an exploration of the challenges and benefits of multicultural teams, highlighting the complex layers and nuances of culture and ethnicity. Two case studies of leaders - one Singaporean and one Nigerian - who made significant contributions to the organisation illuminate different contexts and attitudes towards the process of change in SIM as it intentionally pursued its aim of strength through diversity. The thesis concludes with wider reflections on the significance of the cultural diversification of SIM, and the potential applications of SIM’s experience for other similar organisations. iv Lay Summary SIM – Strengthened through Diversity? An Examination of the Origins and Effects of Cultural Diversity within a Multi- national Christian Mission Agency 1975-2015 Through a historical analysis of SIM, an evangelical mission organisation that was originally dominated by North Americans but is now increasingly multi-national, this thesis seeks to understand where the organisation’s vision and commitment to diversity originated and how it has adapted to accommodate its stated goal: ‘strengthened through diversity’. Focusing on 1975-2015, this research explores the experience of SIM in the context of the growth of Christianity as a global religion and the developing mission vision of churches in countries which previously only received missionaries. It asks how SIM has adapted to embrace diversity, a process of change not previously addressed through academic research. Through archival research and interviews with past and present SIM leaders and serving missionaries, this thesis illuminates the challenges of cultural diversity SIM has faced. It reflects on the role of individuals in SIM’s history who have worked out the lessons of their own mission experience during a later period of leadership at international level. Relating SIM’s experience to other evangelical mission organisations, this thesis suggests that SIM’s story is indicative of wider trends, and that it was at the forefront of organisations seeking to encourage cultural diversity. v After setting SIM in the context of conservative evangelical mission organisations in the 20th century and wider debates taking place amongst mission thinkers, the thesis traces the origins of diversity in SIM and the process of internationalisation, demonstrating the way in which the emphasis on strength through diversity recaptured something of the original vision of SIM’s founders. It then explores the ways in which diversity has been defined within SIM, recognising different understandings, the primary emphasis on cultural diversity, and the limitations to diversity. The following three chapters explore the effects of increased cultural diversity in SIM through examination of the changing shape of relationships between church and mission as the organisation broadened its approach to a new model for mission which supported missionaries from new sending nations; the governance and structural changes implemented to move from a shareholder to stakeholder model of governance, and give voice to an increasingly diverse mission workforce; and an exploration of the challenges and benefits of multicultural teams, highlighting the complex layers and nuances of culture and ethnicity. Two case studies of leaders – one Singaporean and one Nigerian – who made significant contributions to the organisation illuminate different contexts and attitudes towards the process of change in SIM as it intentionally pursued its aim of strength through diversity. The thesis concludes with wider reflections on the significance of the cultural diversification of SIM, and the potential applications of SIM’s experience for other similar organisations. vi Acknowledgements When I joined the SIM UK team in December 1997, recruited on a 12 month contract by Malcolm and Liz McGregor, I could never have imagined that 22 years later I would be completing a PhD focused on one of SIM’s core values. Even when I left my job at SIM after 16 ½ years to move to Edinburgh and begin a Master’s degree in World Christianity, a PhD was not in my future plan! Twenty two years after I first met the McGregors, and five years after my move to Edinburgh, I find myself at the end of four years of fascinating research and hard work focused on the mission agency I joined for 12 months. The PhD journey is a challenging one, and I would not have been able to complete it without the support, guidance and encouragement I have received along the way. My first thanks must go to Professor Brian Stanley, my primary supervisor, whose academic wisdom, experience, advice and insight have guided me along the right path, and whose pastoral support and encouragement have helped me to persevere when I was struggling. I am grateful too to his wife, Rosey, who has warmly encouraged me over numerous cups of coffee. Dr Alex Chow, my second supervisor, encouraged me to consider doing a PhD, and has offered guidance, advice and further encouragement along the way. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Malcolm and Liz McGregor, not only for recruiting me to join the SIM UK team in 1997, without which this thesis would never have been written, but also for their friendship and encouragement in the intervening years, and their incredible patience, understanding, prayers and support over the last five years of postgraduate study. For answering ‘yet another research question’, for thinking