Christian Mission and International Development

Abstract

This chapter will start by introducing briefly the discussion between mission as evangelizing activities and mission as diaconal activities. It will then show through examples, mainly from Central and Eastern/Southern Africa (Cameroon and Madagascar), how mission organizations and local churches (independently and in companionship) have dealt with the tensions between evangelism and development activities. Of importance will be how and to what extent churches have been influenced by the emerging and professionalized “development industry,” and how this has influenced the theological discourse related to the diaconal work of the mission organizations and the independent churches. Particular attention will be directed towards the fight against poverty through educational and health-oriented activities in a historical perspective, drawing attention to the development of UN’s development goals and African churches’ engagement with these goals.