LE3 .A278 2001

2001

MacRae, Andrew

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

Developing a strong global Christian mission requires accomplishments in at least three areas, namely evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Evangelism is the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in an area where there was no knowledge of eternal salvation. The task of evangelism is the commission of the Lord recorded in the gospels. The result of evangelism is the numerical growth of new Christians. In order that new converts be nurtured and strengthened, there is need for the organization of a church. Nurturing and enabling new Christians to live their lives in Christ and to build up the body of Christ is discipleship (Ephesians 4:11-16). The result of discipleship and church growth is church planting. This thesis examines the biblical foundation for partnership in the Old and New Testaments where it is recorded that God is the initiator of mission and He establishes a Covenant Partnership with His people. The concept of partnership is not a modern invention. It is evident in the New Testament writings, especially in Paul's epistle to the Philippians. Therefore, partnership as a mission strategy is biblical and has been developing over the centuries. In the past few decades missiologists have considered partnership as an effective strategy for world mission. Since partnership is still being studied, discussed and tested over the decades, the project of proposing a strategy to CBM will not be conclusive but a small step toward meaningful partnerships in the future of our Baptist work abroad. The thesis has eight chapters, the first providing an introduction and direction for the project. The second chapter lays an Old Testament foundation for covenant partnership between God and His people. The third chapter examines partnership in practice in the New Testament. Chapter four covers the historical development of partnership in the modern missionary period and speaks specifically of the Manila conference in 1992. Chapter five gives a history of the Society for International Ministries (SIM) along with a summary and analysis of the responses of six SIM respondents. The sixth chapter does the same with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). The seventh chapter covers Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), giving a summary and analysis of responses from sixteen respondents. The eighth chapter offers conclusions and further considerations with regard to six specific areas of partnership in mission.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3051