1. Introduction to Missiology
Ch. 40: Thriving in the Ecotones: The
Local Church and World Missions
By James Dennison

2. Ecotones
A place where two or more biologic systems
collide
The traditional church with an institutional
view of missions
The new face of missions: cell church,
house church, indigenous leaders,
indigenous music.

3. Impact on Cooperation
Churches now want mission agencies to
assist them carrying out their own plans
rather than the plans of the agency

4. Hard Facts
Western Christianity composes only 25% of world Christian
population.
The majority of missionaries will soon come from Third
World countries.
Only 10 % of US evangelical churches place a high priority
on spreading the gospel overseas.
The US ranks 16th in number of missionaries sent.
When churches are asked what causes they would fund,
evangelism and church planting came in dead last.

5. Hard Questions
Can Missions in Western churches still be
effective?
In such an ecotonic day, has the pendulum
swung so far from us that it will not return
in this generation?

6. A Contemporary Theology of
Missions for the Local Church
1. The church remains God’s strategy
(Matt.16:13-18)
The church was born out of the ecotones
of the first century
It spread fastest in some of the most
severe times of change in history
It continues to be God’s tool to take the
gospel to the nations
But will the western church participate?

7. A C.T.M for the Local Church
2. Missions remains God’s purpose
(Matt.28:16-20)
The Great Commission is a charge to the
church to make disciples – that is our only
“product”
It is crucial that in these times our people
grasp this truth; the purpose of the church is
missions, not meeting members needs

8. A C.T.M. for the Local Church
3. God’s purpose still requires His plan
(Acts 1:8)
God’s plan is that the church take the
gospel to the ends of the earth, making
disciples as we go
Too often the church’s plan is to maintain
the status quo to secure future benefits
for the current membership

9. A C.T.M. for the Local Church
1. God’s plan still requires God’s people
(Eph.4:11-13)
According to this passage, the work of
ministry is to be done by the entire
church body, not just a select few.
This also means that missions is a
church-wide responsibility, not the work
of a few

10. How we lost our ministry
A.D.250 – Cyprian of Carthage initiates a
distinction between clergy and laity.
A.D.313 – Constantine legalized the church.
They can own property and begin to build
special buildings for congregations
Medieval scholars define spirituality as a
retreat from the natural world
Post-industrial-revolution churches develop an
institutional mindset

11. Practical Steps of Practice
Clearly define the church’s vision for mission
involvement locally, regionally, and
internationally.
– In a total context of what the church is to be and do.
Involve believers directly in missions.
– Prayer walks, prayer journeys, adopt-a-people.
Use information and action to move your people
to sacrificial giving for missions. (stewardship)
Local and international church planting offers
opportunities to pray, give, and participate.

12. Riding the Tides
3500 new churches per day
China sees 28,000 new converts per day
– Maybe as many as 45,000
– Within the next generation, China may be 40% Christian
Africa sees 20,000 new converts per day
South Korea is 30% evangelical believers
The Holy Spirit is moving throughout the earth like
the tides wash the ocean shores throughout the
world