We all have the calling to be missional. In particular, as a pastor, church worker or theologian in another position, you can play a big role in driving missionary work. This is why we invited students from Apeldoorn Theological University to give guest lectures on this topic.
Why and how?
The day focused on the subject of Missionary; a contraction of missiology and diaconate. Together with consultants from diaconate, evangelism and foreign mission, students reflected on questions such as: Why should you engage missionarily and diaconally? How are you yourself and how is the church an instrument for this? What questions, opportunities and problems can you encounter, for example as a (future) pastor?
Theory and practice
The counsellors told about missionary and diaconal work inside and outside Europe. But there was also room to get to work themselves: a case study on Steenstad municipality got participants thinking in concrete terms. The case study was deliberately not simple, just as practice can be complex. Furthermore, the students held a St Paul walk on the way to pioneer spot The poster.
Getting started
The students look back - in their own words - on an inspiring day. They were made to think and motivated to be missional in their own context. Several indicate that they have discovered that missionary work can start close by: in their own environment, congregation or personal contacts. And that is a lesson for us all!
