“A research study of 55 Muslim converts to Christianity reported that missionary contact ranked second-to-last on the list of factors influencing their conversion. This means that world mission is transitioning to the local level.”
On August 16, the last day of the 14th International Association for Mission Studies conference, this was the observation of IAMS President Dr. Mika Vahakangas (Finland). The association of 50 missiology-related institutions and 400 individual members holds an academic conference every four years. From August 11 to 16, its 14th conference, bringing together 200 missionaries and scholars of missiology, was held at the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
Dr. Park Bo-kyoung (left in photo, a professor at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary), one of the international coordinators on the Korean host committee, said, “This conference has been particularly meaningful in that, for the first time, we were able to discuss conversion and transformation, a crucial issue in mission ministry.”
In his keynote speech “Missional Conversion and Transformation in the Context of the Korean Protestant Church,” Dr. Choi Hyung-Keun (Seoul Theological University) said, “The growth rate in Korean church missionary dispatches is decreasing, and the average age of candidates is rising… The church needs to restore its awareness of missions and calling.” Commenting on the Korean church’s reduced drive for growth, Dr. Vahakangas said, “Too much salt harms our health, and light is sufficient if it can light up the front of the lighthouse. Instead of worrying about the number of church members, I hope the Korean church will fulfill its responsibility as light and salt in this society.”
At this conference, Prof. Park was elected the next IAMS vice-president. She said, “I feel burdened by this new responsibility, but I’ll do my best to serve the Korean church and the world church.” The newly appointed president, Dr. Paul Kollman (right, USA), said, “We need to continue discussing such matters as dialogue to solve conflicts among religions, and secularization of mission.”
Reporter Lee Yongsang (sotong203@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo courtesy of IAMS
Original Article in Korean:
“한국인 선교사 증가율 꺾이고 지원자 고령화 추세”: 세계선교학회 학술대회 폐막
Related Article:
IAMS President Mika Vahakangas Visits Korea
“Growth in Korean missionary population is static, while candidates are getting older”
2016-08-18 17:19
