Mission passion is lightning on the horizon anticipating rain : redemption transforms the Adventist church towards a dynamic missionary movement

Abstract

The thesis proposes solutions for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Newcastle area to perform Christ’s mission work effectively. It examines how mission could be meaningful in contemporary society, which is challenging mission so gravely. The study challenges all churches, including youth, women, men and clergy towards mission. An analysis of a mission perspective is delineated, aware of the social contexts for mission in Newcastle. The context of culture has been dealt with, encouraging the Church to be culturally sensitive, and to use cultural means to reach people. God uses cultural means to reveal himself. Evil cultural practices, for example, ancestral ‘worship’ and ‘talking to the dead’ are exposed and denounced. Bible readings promote mission in the Adventist Church. The teacher of the Bible is to study it thoroughly, ensuring that he/she is able to proclaim the gospel. Creative teaching of the Bible includes different levels of understanding, namely, a rote level, a recognition level, a repetition level, an interactive and a realisation level. The gospel is to be applied in life. Different hermeneutical approaches to the Bible are summarised, for example, a postmodern approach. Strategic planning regarding evangelism is vital. ‘Gift-based’ ministry would inspire all believers to perform mission work according to people’s ability. All Christians should be able to evangelise others, leading people as acknowledged sinners to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord, and to establish the reign of God in society according to his justice. The heart of the thesis is as follows:- The gospel of Christ is a missionary message to reach all people with the gospel of salvation and societal renewal - The church of Christ is a missional church, which stands and falls by its missionary task to proclaim Christ as Saviour and his reign and justice as ultimate in society