The journey towards long-term missionary service: How Australian missionaries are being called and choose mission agencies
Apart from studies focused on short-term mission, there has been little empirical research into the broader range of factors that have been influential in current missionaries’ decisions to serve God long-term. This study aims to address this gap by exploring these factors in the narratives of 42 re...
Main Author: | |
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Contributors: | ; |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
2015
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In: |
Missiology
Year: 2015, Volume: 43, Issue: 4, Pages: 469-482 |
IxTheo Classification: | KBS Australia; Oceania RJ Mission; missiology |
Further subjects: | B
Mobilization
B choosing a career in missions B short-term mission B Missionary B missionary decision-making B missionary call B Mission (international law |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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Summary: | Apart from studies focused on short-term mission, there has been little empirical research into the broader range of factors that have been influential in current missionaries’ decisions to serve God long-term. This study aims to address this gap by exploring these factors in the narratives of 42 relatively new Australian missionaries. A qualitative approach was adopted and used semi-structured interviews with 42 missionaries to explore their journey into long-term mission, the factors involved in that decision, and how they chose the agency they are serving with. Three main factors were found to be most influential: interaction with missionaries, participating in short-term mission trips, and being exposed to the world and its needs. Reasons for choosing a mission agency highlighted having a relational connection with agency personnel and perceiving a good fit between their own interests and gifts, and the work of the agency. The article concludes by outlining implications of this research for mission agencies, churches, and Bible colleges. |
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ISSN: | 2051-3623 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Missiology
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0091829615584189 |