DISTURBANCE’ AS A NEW PARADIGM FOR MISSION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE GLOBAL CONSULTATION OF THE WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE

Abstract

Given the chaotic, messy and unpredictable realities of the world we are confronted with on a daily basis, a reflection of these circumstances and their implication for mission is much needed. The 12th Global Consultation of the Mission Committee of the World Evangelical Alliance chose therefore to reflect upon these realities and chose as its theme for their consultation “God’s disturbing mission.”  A bold choice, given the negative association of the word disturbance and its usage in connection both with “God” and “mission”. This conference, which hosted 200 people from over 40 countries, signifies a growing awareness among evangelical leaders of the changing contexts in which mission is carried out. Given the profound implications these new considerations might have for both mission theology and mission praxis, this article calls for a theological engagement of the topic of disturbance.