Mission, Money and Power

Abstract

The term mission in its modern meaning was coined during the expansion of western Christianity which was in many ways entangled with colonialism. The western missionary movement’s modus operandi was adopted by missions from other backgrounds as well, when economic growth and growth of revivalist Christianity have coincided. When the outcome is new churches in economically underprivileged areas, there is an economic and power imbalance between the mission agency and the local church. However, locally instituted churches and migrant churches have challenged the pattern and strengthened mission from the economic and political margins. Mission in the world of economic inequality has also reinvigorated the classic theological question of how to relate to money and power. From the margins, the prosperity gospel is often the response whereas many churches which traditionally represent power and affluence tend to present perspectives critical towards global capitalism.