Pillay began by asking what it means to decolonize mission. “It is about freeing mission from those patterns of power, domination, and cultural superiority that have sometimes accompanied Christian witness,” he said. “It is about recovering mission as participation in the mission of God.” Pillay emphasized that the starting point must be theological. “Mission is not ours,” he said. “Mission is God’s.” Decolonising mission requires honesty, Pillay added. “Christian mission has a complex history,” he said. “Christianity was sometimes presented as though European culture and Christianity were inseparable.” We must acknowledge this history, not to condemn previous generations, but to ensure that we do not reproduce their assumptions, Pillay urged. “The question today is: Can we proclaim Christ without reproducing cultural domination?” he asked. “I believe we can. Indeed, we must.” Plllay also reflected on how the demographic centre of Christianity has shifted. “The churches of the Global South are not junior partners in Christianity,” he said. “They are not simply recipients of theology developed elsewhere. They are theologians, missionaries, teachers, evangelists and agents of God's mission.” The issue is ultimately about power, Pillay noted. “And Christian power must always be understood through Christ. Jesus does not exercise power by domination. He kneels and washes feet,” said Pillay. “Therefore, Christian mission must be characterised by servant leadership.” Read the full presentation "Decolonizing Mission: From Mission to Mutuality" Photo gallery | 
No comments:
Post a Comment