Dealing with mission drift in parachurch agencies : an analysis of holistic mission of Christian NGOs / NPOs

Abstract

This thesis has investigated seven parachurch agencies with a holistic approach to Christian mission in order to study the concept of mission drift. Mission drift is a phenomenon where Christian faith-based mission agencies drift away from their God-given vision, original holistic mission objectives and Christian identity towards socio-humanitarian purposes. The multiple case study of the seven NGOs/NPOs is purposefully presented as a useful contribution to the discussion of the phenomenon. The study is aimed at presenting a deeper assessment of the concept of mission drift in parachurch NGOs/NPOs in the light of the holistic nature of the earthly ministry of Jesus, as exemplified in Matthew 9:35-38 and Luke 4:18-19. It also aims to develop a greater understanding of the challenging forces that can lead to mission drift among parachurch agencies, and to provide some steps that these holistic organizations can take to minimize the pressures towards drifting. The research has reviewed a variety of literature describing mission drift, parachurch agencies, and the holistic mission debate, as well as presenting an exegetical study of the ministry of Jesus. The research design reveals and supports the outline of the conceptual nature of this thesis. The thesis is therefore positioned within the larger field of empirical research, with a multiple case study approach, in order to grasp deeper real-life situations and to develop a better understanding of susceptibilities to mission drift. The research is then structured by combining empirical techniques with traditional bibliographical research methods in order to report and discuss the empirical data collected. This study’s outcome has shown rates of 63% of holisticalization, 9% of internal secularization and 28% in the occurrence of mission drift in the seven agencies studied and from the material given by the 32 interviewees. These findings resulting from the research questions were then discussed and analysed along with theories and spectra affecting CFB- NGOs/NPOs. This study has concluded its analysis by setting up practical implications to minimize mission drift. Mission drift is certainly a constant threat to any parachurch organization that is trying to remain ‘mission true’ and ‘holistically relevant’ in this post-Christian society.