Mission and Evangelism in a Secularizing World: Academy Agency and Assembly Perspectives from Canada: 2 (Evangelical Missiological Society Monograph)

Secularization as a movement away from a religious orientation to life is strong in Canada and has influence worldwide. In this volume missiologists and practitioners across Canada consider how an agenda of Christian mission and evangelism can be advanced in a secularizing environment. How can believers be curious and engaged rather than defensive and fearful? What changes are required from the evangelical community so that there is productive dialogue and action in ways that maintain faithfulness to the cause of Christ? What should the approach of mission be to a new generation steeped in secular narratives? How do we answer negative caricatures of Christian mission in light of the history of Residential Schools? What examples from the past teach us about developing an irenic approach? What positive trends are currently evident in Canada and around the world that counter the secularizing narrative? These questions and more are considered in this volume by Canadian scholars who recognize the importance of being relevant to society while maintaining integrity with the Gospel message. The essays address secularism in Canadian and worldwide contexts with seriousness insight and an underlying theme of hope recognizing that Gods mission has been accomplished is being accomplished and will be accomplished. There is something unique about the Canadian context when it comes to the challenge of secularization. A city like Toronto a center of influence in Christendom and Global mission in the early 1900s has come on hard times. In Post Christendom Canada churches are in decline. We are like a time lapse camera of where you are going. There is hope however. It is found in the missionary zeal of the diaspora who call Canada home. Santos and Naylor capture this emerging voice the energy and the way they are teaching us all to be the church. By gathering together diverse voices from a variety of contexts they point to the hope of the gospel in the twenty-first century. A must read for those wanting to be the church in this time. --Gary V. Nelson President Tyndale University College and Seminary Narry F. Santos is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Intercultural Leadership at Tyndale University College and Seminary. Mark Naylor is Coordinator of International Leadership Development with Northwest Baptist Seminary and Fellowship International.