Indigenous Mission in Europe
This edition of Vista is the first of two that will explore the topic of indigenous mission in Europe.
Europe’s native or indigenous peoples, often classified as Germanic, Romance, Slavic, Celtic, and others, are those who migrated and first settled the westernmost part of the Eurasian landmass over many previous millennia. Whether we call them old-stock Europeans, autochthonous Europeans, or any other phrase, these peoples have particular ethnicities and a cultural, linguistic, and historical background, that distinguishes them from people from other parts of the world. Is it not time to adopt a missionary posture and consider afresh how the Christian gospel might appeal to today’s indigenous Europeans?
Jim Memory’s lead article explores the contested meaning of indigeneity and reviews its historical importance as a principle in Christian mission. It then consider the implications of applying indigenous principles to mission in today’s Europe where native Europeans and Christians from the Majority World are working together to reach all those who call Europe home.
The articles that follow are more particular perspectives on indigenous mission. Gerrit van Dijk and Christiaan Kooiman describe the challenge of preaching and incarnating the Christian faith in perhaps the most secularised part of Europe: East Germany. Beneath the apparent surface indifference to Christianity, they find an unexpected openness among indigenous East Germans if we address the challenges of language, community and wealth.
Vista editor Alex Vlasin looks at indigeneity in Eastern Europe and teases out the particular challenges of mission in an Orthodox context where national and Christian identities are often conflated.
Connie Main Duarte and Elsa Correia Pereira’s article considers mission in a context of cultural Christianity, specifically the country of Portugal. They make use of sociological statistics to outline the complexities of mission among indigenous Portuguese and conclude with practical suggestions of how to walk alongside them and to invite them on a journey of personal transformation in Christ.
Colin Holmes reviews the contemporary Irish religious context and then looks back to Jesus’ invitation to a common table in Matthew 8, and to the story of St Patrick. The welcome to all at the table connects, confronts, and creates spaces for belonging, both for indigenous Irish and the growing number of migrants who now call Ireland home.
The final article by Israel Oluwole Olofinjana observes significant historical connections between African Christianity and Celtic Christianity, celebrates both as authentic indigenous expressions of faith, and suggests that this mutual understanding may help us to develop intercultural collaboration in Europe.
Our discussions, as Vista editors, of the topic of indigenous mission in Europe convinced us that this subject matter was fertile soil, if you forgive the pun. So there will be a second issue of Vista after the summer and we invite our readers to contribute their own perspectives for consideration. Please contact us via the website and we will give you some guidelines.
Vista Editors