Diaspora Missiology: Part 1 3

One of the developing sub-categories of missiology is that of diaspora missiology.  While I am presently working on a book related to this topic (I’ll share more in the next post.), I consider Enoch Wan, Professor of Intercultural Studies at Western Theological Seminary, as one of the world’s leading experts in this developing field.  I have known Enoch for a few years, particularly through my involvement with the Evangelical Missiological Society.  Since I have been wanting to introduce you to this important area of missiology, I thought it would be great for you to hear from Dr. Wan on this topic.  Recently, I was able to interview him.

What is diaspora missiology?

Diaspora missiology is a framework for understanding and participating in God’s mission of reconciliation amongst people outside of their place of origin. The original meaning of the word diaspora referred to the Jewish people living in their earlier dispersion around the world. It has even been suggested that this dispersion helped the early church spread rapidly. Diaspora missiology is taking advantage of the current situation of the mass relocation of peoples throughout the world due to war, famine and economic issues. This new missiological approach is a strategic way of ministering to peoples who are providentially relocated to new places and taking advantage of increased receptivity to the gospel.

There are also migrant groups from the majority world that are already believers. These believers from the majority world can be partners in the task of planting churches among the displaced peoples living in open countries.

Diaspora missiology is seeking to not displace traditional missiology. This new paradigm should be seen as a supplement to traditional missiology. This new paradigm is growing in response to new realities we face in a world of globalization.

Why is diaspora missiology important for the Church today?

There are several reasons. The first reason is the global trend of migrant populations moving from South to North and from East to West. Peoples who were traditionally living in areas closed to foreign missionaries are now moving to areas that are not hostile to the preaching of the gospel. Also, the center of gravity for worldwide Christianity has shifted from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere. The traditional homelands of the church in Europe and North America have shifted to Africa, South America and some parts of Asia. The church must be ready to minister to the unreached people God is providentially bringing to their backdoor.

Tell us about your present research and what is going on in this new sub-category of missiology?

The Lausanne Diasporas Leadership Team has ongoing activities. There are articles made available to the public through the LDLT leadership team website. These may be accessed here: http://www.gatheredscattered.com/press

You can learn more about LDLT from their website: http://www.gatheredscattered.com/

Also, watch for a new series of books coming from William Carey International Press about diaspora missiology.

Since the Institute of Diaspora Studies is housed at Western Theological Seminary, can you provide us with some details on the institute?

The Institute of Diaspora Studies is a joint effort of researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and minister to the people of diaspora – people dispersed from their original homeland. An Asian counter-part was launched in April 2007 at the Alliance Graduate School in Manila. The “mission” of IDS is to investigate the effective communication of the Gospel among the people of diaspora and through their networks to regions beyond. The website for the Institute of Diaspora Studies will have upcoming events and publications. You can access this information here: http://www.westernseminary.edu/Diaspora/index.htm

What resources are available for those interested in finding out more about diaspora missiology?

You can learn more about diaspora missiology from the “diaspora studies” section of Global Missiology’s website: www.globalmissiology.org

You can also learn more about developments in this new field of missiology at The Lausanne Diasporas Leadership Team’s website: www.gatheredscattered.com and the Lausanne Movement’s homepage also has content on diaspora studies: www.lausanne.org

The world of missiology has been preparing for the Lausanne Congress III, The LDLT convened the Lausanne Diasporas Strategy Consultation in Manila. And the Lausanne Diaspora Theological Forum was held in  Nov. 2009 at Torch Tower, Seoul, Korea.  In Edinburgh, June 12-13, 2009, the Commission VII: Christian Communities in Contemporary Contexts recognized diaspora as a reality of Christian Mission in the 21st century. This is an ongoing discussion with work in progress.

In fact, I left for the UK on April 14 to present a paper entitled, “Rethinking Missiology in the context of the 21^stCentury: Global Demographic Trends and Diaspora Missiology” at the Lausanne Diaspora Educators Consultation in Europe, April 16, 2010, OCMS (Oxford Center of Missions Studies), Oxford, UK.

Thank you, Dr. Wan, for sharing with us today.  I appreciate your pioneering spirit in this field.  Keep up the great work so that all nations may come to know Him.