Integral Mission StopArmut September 2012 Overview • What is integral mission? • What went wrong? – Distortions – Evolving agenda • Jesus is Lord – implication for all • Examining core aspects of integral mission Integral Mission • It is a way of perceiving our role in the world as disciples of Christ. – Evidence is there, distinctiveness – Not a formula or a strategy • It means rooted in the Gospel out of which there is engagement in the community for transformation of society – salt of the earth – light for the world • All followers of Christ have received this call Evidence • Luke 9:2 –He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. • The message was the kingdom of God is here, and it was to be communicated in word, deed and sign. being –doing –saying –signs • Integration of proclamation, demonstration (compassion), justice and manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit. Proclamation / Demonstration Which wing is more important: ‐ the right wing ‐ the left wing? Different Approaches to Aid by Christians (by Escobar & Padilla) 1. 2. 3. 4. Holistic Proclamation Only Traditional Pragmatic Approach Holistic Evangelical Evangelical Transformation Doing good is a Distraction Social programmes Social programmes We do good (therefore, a sin) are acceptable as Are a good strategy Because we are From our call to Long as they don’t For evangelism. (A Christians – no Preach the gospel. Take evangelism Means to an end) Distinction between Resources. Compassion & Proclamation 5. 6. 7. Pragmatic Traditional Liberation Ecumenical Ecumenical Theology It is OK to preach Doing good is our Preaching the The gospel but only Preaching. (Don’t Gospel is via If you have a Use ministry Transforming the Chance. Resources to Unjust structures of (No intentionality) proclaim) Society. Micah Declaration Integral mission or holistic transformation is the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. It is not simply that evangelism and social involvement are to be done alongside each other. Rather, in integral mission our proclamation has social consequences as we call people to love and repentance in all areas of life and our social involvement has evangelistic consequences as we bear witness to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Extremes Ministry of Jesus: 1. Teaching Liberation Theology Futuristic 2. Preaching the Gospel - Utopia now 3. Healing diseases - Present is only a -New man preparation for after - Author of our own - Escapism religion destiny - Withdrawal / - Marxism mentality separation from the world - “Opiate” of the people Salvation is: wholeness, total humanisation, eternal life – beginning here and now What is the Gospel? The Good News? • The Gospel is Jesus Christ: • Good news especially to his person and his work the poor because: • The Kingdom is the Power – We are all loved of God active among people in his own person and – Equality of love ministry –here and now – Inclusiveness • Incarnation: ministry, death, – Status blind resurrection, return – Protection • Holy Spirit is sent to us to • Acts 4:32ff: sharing of live in that knowledge and power possessions – should be no needy person!! Life in all its fullness Who is the Gospel for? Personal Message Cosmic Message • God calls each person by • God’s purpose of name redemption is for the whole world • An individual does not live • God created the world and in isolation – community said that it was good. • A individual also lives in the • God gave responsibility to world and is a part of it. (John care for the world to 17:11) humanity. (Genesis 1:26‐31) To be in the world but not of the world Missional Church • The Word becomes flesh (incarnational) – We are Jesus to one another and to our community • Jesus is Lord of everyone and everything • Discipleship through a missionary lifestyle for all • Vision and action demonstrate the Kingdom of God • Fruits, gifts and ministries have an outward focus: – Prepare co workers to God’s Mission – Proclaim and demonstrate God’s love What Went Wrong? Some thoughts Example of Distortions 1. Catholic Distortion: – Dualism: elevates the spiritual above the secular – Eusebius (AD312): • Perfect Life: priests, monks, nuns: dedicated to reflection = spiritual • Permitted Life: trades: dedicated to action / tasks – Higher / Lower; Scared / Secular; Perfect / permitted; Contemplation / Action – Dualism leading to elitism – Answering the Call – Monasticism sought to show a radical life but ended up increasing divide Example of Distortions 2. Protestant Distortion – Dualism: elevates the secular at the expense of the spiritual (even promote total separation) – Work elevated above all else (find meaning in our work) – Work is inter changeable with Calling • Instead of being directed by God now we have duties and roles in society • Full time service, part time service, secular language evolves – Vocation is seen as less (condescension) • volunteers, service workers, missionaries Jesus is Lord • Integral Mission is the expression (outworking) of commitment that Jesus is Lord of all life and all of creation • Evangelicals focused of Jesus as Saviour – Essential component but not the whole Gospel – Reduces the Gospel to an “otherworld” dimension and loses sight of the here and now • The Lordship of Jesus is the foundation and mission of the church – Without the proclamation of Jesus as Lord there is no integral Gospel, and without an integral Gospel there is no integral mission. – Jesus is to have authority over everything and everyone: • It is not a private affair • The church is the community of the King –our purpose is to point to Him: – What we are – What we say – What we do • Church confesses Jesus as Lord and lives in the light of that confession Lord and Saviour • Proclaiming only the saving of souls reduces the impact we will have in the world • Discipleship is the key affecting all aspects of life • The Call of the Gospel is one of total transformation –this reflects God’s purpose to redeem human life in all its dimensions • Integral mission is possible only when there are disciples who live the Kingdom values out in every sphere of society • Danger: turning the Kingdom of God into a sheepfold rather than a new Kingdom Discipleship • The active participation in the realisation of God’s plan for creation and human existence • Proclamation: Jesus as Lord = an invitation to submit to his authority (Rom 10:12‐15) – Tragic to limit this to religious / spiritual aspects – Jesus has authority over all • Transformation begins as a person submits and follows Jesus – touching all aspects of life and is lifelong – Transformation occurs in the practice and for the practice of Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:44‐48) – Jesus disciples are distinct not because they belong to a religious cult BUT because of their lifestyle which reflects love and justice of the Kingdom Priesthood of All Believers • Danger: reduction of Christianity to a religion of worship of the scared, divorced from life – Dependent on professionals (priests to lead or mediate) – Church becomes an institution managed by specialists, focusing on spiritual needs of those in house • Vision: the whole church (every member) as an agent of integral mission, engaged in all areas of life and creation. Purpose: Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God – Micah 6:8.