Sex and Vulnerability: Casual Mission vs. Covenant Marriage

Abstract

Technological and cultural changes are combining to change the way local congregations, in both the Global North and South, involve themselves in mission.  These changes offer both opportunities and challenges to advocates of vulnerable mission.  The narrative of Scripture offers us the covenantal model to help us recognize and transform the power inequalities inherent in this emerging mode of missional partnership.  This paper argues that through thinking and acting in terms of “covenant” across five dimensions of partnership (Resources, Language, Security, Accountability, and Personnel) both global northern and southern partners will be better equipped to surmount challenges and seize opportunities to move mission engagement in the direction of mutual, covenantal vulnerability.