Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the Church in America

by Craig Van Gelder; Dwight J. Zscheile

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2018

Overview

Explores how the church has engaged—and should engage—the American context.

What might faithful and meaningful Christian witness look like within our changing contemporary American context?

After analyzing contemporary challenges and developing a missiological approach for the US church, Craig Van Gelder and Dwight Zscheile reflect on the long, complex, and contested history of Christian mission in America. Five distinct historical periods from the beginning of the colonial era to the dawn of the third millennium are reviewed and critiqued.

They then bring the story forward to the present day, discussing current realities confronting the church, discerning possibilities of where and how the Spirit of God might be at work today, and imagining what participating in the triune God’s mission may look like in an uncertain tomorrow.

Key Features

• Explores the current state of missiology in the church
• Surveys the missionary history of the church in the American context
• Presents a proposal for a theological missiology to better navigate the complexities of the present terrain and engage the future

Contents

Part 1: Defining the Challenge

• Why a Theological Missiology for the United States?
• Developing a Missiological Approach to the Church in the United States

Part 2: Understanding the Challenge

• The Colonial Experience, 1600s to 1780s
• The Expanding Frontier, 1790s to 1870s
• The Church in the City, 1880s to Early 1940s
• The Suburban Success, Mid-1940s to Mid-1970s
• Late-Modern Success Strategies, Mid-1970s to Early 2000s

Part 3: Engaging the Challenge

• A Missiological Interpretation of the Contemporary Cultural Environment
• Participating in the Triune God’s Mission
• Church Organization and Leadership Formation for a New Missionary Age
• Conclusion: Toward a Faithful Future
• Appendix: Ecumenical and Evangelical Mission Conferences of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries

Product Details

• Title: Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the Church in America
• Authors: Craig Van Gelder, Dwight J. Zscheile
• Series: The Gospel and Our Culture Series
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 359
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Mission of the church; Missions › United States
• ISBNs: 9780802874986, 0802874983
• Resource ID: LLS:PRTCPTNGGDSMSSN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:26:51Z

About the Authors

Craig Van Gelder is professor emeritus of congregational mission at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a consultant with churches and other faith- based organizations.

Dwight J. Zscheile is associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary and a consultant with churches and other faith-based organizations.

Sample Pages from Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the Church in America