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...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Hibbert, Richard Y. (Author) ; Hibbert, Evelyn (Author) ; Silberman, Tim (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2015
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
Description
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.
ISSN:2051-3623
Contains:Enthalten in: Missiology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0091829615584189