The Concept Of Man In The Missiology Of Donald McGavran: A Model Of Anglosaxon Missiology In Latin America -- By: Sidney H. Rooy

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 37:2 (Winter 1975)
Article: The Concept Of Man In The Missiology Of Donald McGavran: A Model Of Anglosaxon Missiology In Latin America
Author: Sidney H. Rooy


The Concept Of Man In The Missiology Of Donald McGavran: A Model Of Anglosaxon Missiology In Latin America

Sidney H. Rooy

Dr. Donald McGavran1 seeks to establish priorities in the missionary work of the church.2 “Among many good enterprises,” he asks, “which has preeminence?”

Considerations of anthropology, sociology, theology, and organizational complexity pile up one on the other. Never was a clear mission theory more needed than today—a theory firmly rooted in biblical truth (UCG 5).

McGavran’s purpose is to clarify the confusion that exists between the means and the ends in modern missiology. The first “foundation” stone of his thesis has to do with the object or aim of the mission. This aim is the conversion of men and the establishment of assemblies of baptized believers, because this is pleasing to God. The growth of the church follows as a consequence of faithfulness to God in proclaiming Christ. It is not enough to seek the lost; he must be found. “The goal is not to send powdered milk or kindly messages to the son in the far country. It is to see him walking in through the front door of his father’s house” (UCG 15). The “God who seeks” desires that men be found and “brought into a redemptive relationship to Jesus Christ where, baptized into His Name, they become part of His Household” (UCG 32).

There is a close relationship here between the means and the ends. This brings us to a second “foundation” stone: the “size,

number, ethnic and cultural composition, and relationship to the undiscipled are matters which … can be measured and must be known” (UCG 6, italicized by McGavran). This methodological principle is crucial, and its application enables us to judge who are the receptive peoples of the earth. We must go first to the fields already white for the harvest (UCG 40).

Thus today’s paramount task, opportunity, and imperative in missions is to multiply churches in the increasing numbers of receptive peoples of the earth (UCG 63).

The rapid growth of the church in the past came from people movements towards the faith. We can be sure of the same thing in the future (UCG 298–299). Therefore it is urgent that we develop intelligible means of evaluating church growth everywhere and of discovering the factors underlying this growth. In areas of low receptivity to the gospel, only a core group should remain to continue witnessing (UCG 230). The greater part of personnel and of missionary funds should be channeled toward the receptive peoples. “An essential task...

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