Track 3: CONTEXTUALIZATION & MISSION: Contextualized Worship & Witness
(Saturday morning)
Isaan String-Tying Ritual as Missio-Logoi
Paul de Neui (North Park Theological Seminary)
Abstract: Within the high-context culture of northeast Thailand, known as Isaan, ritual is
essential to life. Any event of significance takes on a deeper meaning when encased in the sacred
space of communal ritual gatherings. Ritual combines both discursive and non-discursive
communication with a high anticipation from all participants that something is about to happen.
In the context of Isaan, I am convinced that there is no better teachable moment for the
internalization of the good news of Jesus Christ. Evangelical missiology has tended to shy away
from contextualizing cultural rituals for fear of syncretism. There has been a general assumption
in much of mission that with time the two sacred Christian events of baptism and communion
will eventually serve as functional substitutes for other cultural rituals. But this has not been the
case in high context cultures. My paper will briefly review the social functions of ritual in
relation to missio-logoi, what its absence means for mission in high-context cultures, concerns
raised in utilizing ritual in missio-logoi and will conclude with a case study analysis of stringtying ritual as practiced among the Christ followers in the Isaan region of northeast Thailand.
Christian Paintings As Witness in Mission: A Critique On the Use of Art in Protestant
Mission
Susangeline Patrick (Asbury Theological Seminary)
Abstract: The essence of God's mission concerns witness of Christians in all aspects of life. The
nature of mission carries the visible, felt, understood, and lived experience of the presence of
God in Christian lives. Good Christian paintings can be instrumental in witnessing God's
presence to the artists and the audience of paintings. Protestant Christians embrace both
iconoclastic and iconodulistic attitudes and practices in mission. Mission history reveals that they
are fearful of idol worships, on the other hand, they are exposed to and they accept many sources
of images without much critique. Questions regarding art in mission must be researched in light
of the historical and theological contexts of iconoclasm and iconodulism in the Byzantine era and
the Protestant Reformation. Through investigating the diverse roles of Christian paintings have
played in Christian mission and witness, we can better answer the questions raised in our present
contexts. My research paper argues that good Christian paintings bear witness in Christian
mission and engaging visual art critically is fulfilling the holistic aspect of mission. I apply
theologies of images from John of Damascus and Hans Rookmaaker, because they critique
Christian paintings and provide basic theoretical frameworks for Christian paintings as witness in
mission.
Reimagining the Incarnation: The Viability of Cultural Symbols in the African WorshipExperience
Sung Bauta (Asbury Theological Seminary/Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS), Nigeria)
Abstract: “Is there such thing as a pure gospel?” This study believes that contextualization is
among many things an issue of boundary. And in an increasingly globalized world, it will argue
that the issue of boundary will become an even more important word in missiological parlance.
This study offers a biblical-theology of symbols as it affects Christian worship in Africa. It
presents the concept of orality, and notes the importance of symbols in Christian worship for
high-contexts cultures (i.e. Africa). In arguing that cultural symbols can become conduits for
expressing the Gospel, this study will summarize the iconoclastic controversies of the eighth and
ninth centuries. It will then examine the two overarching sides of the debate as expressed in
Moshe Barasch’s book, Icon: Studies in the History of an Idea. Chosen for its refreshing
perspective on the issue of icons, Barasch’s discussion promotes a wider conversation about if or
how to redeem symbols for Christian worship. Next, drawing from the resolution of the
iconoclastic debates, this study will suggest similar rationale in the ongoing debate between
Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements and African Christians that advocates for the relevance of
cultural symbols like ancestors in their worship-experience. The article will then conclude by
summarizing the argument and suggesting a healthy understanding of both God’s transcendence
and immanence.
Missio-Musica: Developing Disciples through Contextualized Worship in Mozambique
Megan Meyers (Fuller Theological Seminary)
Abstract: The goal of missions, and indeed the local church, is to develop disciples – people who
worship and follow God wholeheartedly. Worship can play a key role in church growth through
evangelism and discipleship, yet is underutilized in ministry and mission. This is particularly true
in the city of Beira, Mozambique, the location of research conducted from 2012 to 2014. Initial
research explored the impact of contextualized worship on the development of church ministry
and missions in selected urban church contexts in Beira, Mozambique. It focused on exploring
the Beira church context and its surrounding environment. Methods included interviews,
participant observation, and summative content analysis of frequently sung songs. Churches
modified their worship praxis by engaging in focus group interviews, experimental training
opportunities, and monthly composer’s clubs. Final research assessed the impact of the changes.
Results of the study included increased use of local hymnody, intentional use of worship to teach
theological truths, engaged pastors and empowered worship leaders, and a greater missional
involvement through the use of contextualized worship.
This paper addresses the necessity of contextualized worship as a key component of local church
growth, and the development of its members, encouraging personal discipleship, growing
ministry and empowering for mission.