In the face of globalisation, one of the challenges for Christians ministering to asylum seekers and refugees in the United Kingdom is the question of integrating Christian asylum seekers and refugees into the Christian community. British churches and para-church organisations that are involved in refugee ministry have to decide whether they want to support the formation of independent refugee churches or the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into local indigenous churches. This thesis examines these options from a missiological perspective. Two social research projects form the heart of this study. One compares the life and ministry of two mature minority ethnic churches, the other investigates the integration process at a British church that has been involved in refugee ministry for almost a decade.
Contrary to the widespread view that the establishment of homogeneous churches is crucial for the mission of the church in postmodern British society, the findings of this research suggest that the integration of asylum seekers and refugees into indigenous British churches is the better option. They further demonstrate that it is not the mono-ethnic refugee church but the multi-ethnic church which makes the greater contribution to the integration of Christian asylum seekers and refugees and to the missio Dei in Britain. In a multi-ethnic church, asylum seekers and refugees serve as role models to British Christians and especially as effective agents of mission. These research findings also show that the integration of asylum seekers and refugees is promoted through the congregation within the congregation model and an incarnational approach to mission. However, they equally indicate that various stumbling blocks can hinder the integration process. These include a low ecclesiology, a lack of awareness of globalisation, and a reac- tive leadership style and church culture.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Research background and purpose
- 1.2 Personal motivation
- 1.3 Review of relevant literature
- 1.4 Research methodology
- 1.5 Definitions
- 1.6 Structure of the thesis
- Chapter 2: Theories of globalisation
- 2.1 Introduction: Globalisation: A buzzword
- 2.2 Conceptualising globalisation
- 2.3 Dimensions of globalisation
- Chapter 3: Globalisation and international migration
- 3.1 Defining migration and migrants
- 3.2 Causation theories of migration
- 3.3 Effects of international migration
- 3.4 Trends in international migration: The globalisation of migration
- Chapter 4: Refugee Highway: A Christian catchphrase and a world reality
- 4.1 The term refugee highway
- 4.2 Features of the refugee highway
- Chapter 5: Migrants, refugees and strangers in the bible: An overview
- 5.1 Migrants and refugees in the Old Testament
- 5.2 Refugees and migrants in the New Testament
- 5.3 The attitude towards foreigners
- 5.4 Summary
- Chapter 6: The multi-ethnic church and the issue of integration in the Book of Acts: An investigation into the nature of the New Testament Church
- 6.1 The multi-ethnic church: A working definition
- 6.2 The multi-ethnic congregation and the early church
- 6.3 Principles of integration
- Chapter 7: The refugee highway and the Christian response: Statements and programmes
- 7.1 World Council of Churches: A Moment to Choose
- 7.2 Methodist Church in Great Britain: Report on Immigration and Asylum
- 7.3 Baptist Union of Great Britain: Welcoming the Stranger
- 7.4 World Evangelical Alliance: Code of Best Practices for Christian Refugee Ministry
- 7.5 European Protestant Churches: Liebfrauenberg Declaration
- 7.6 Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales: The Dispossessed
- 7.7 Church of England: A Place of Refuge
- 7.8 A critical analysis
- Chapter 8: Mission and migration in a globalising world: Missiological perspectives
- 8.1 A missiological myth and the shift of global Christianity
- 8.2 Christian migration and the reverse mission movement
- 8.3 Christian migrants as agents of mission in a global age
- 8.4 Missiological implications
- Chapter 9: The Integration of refugees into the Christian church and secular immigration models: A testing-out research
- 9.1 Methodology: A scenario test
- 9.2 Test results
- 9.2.2 Assimilation model
- Chapter 10: Refugee ministry and minority ethnic churches in Nottingham: Two social research projects
- 10.1 Research location, strategy, design and aims
- 10.2 The integration of refugees and asylum seekers into a local church: A case study
- 10.3 The life and mission of minority ethnic churches: A comparative case study
- Chapter 11: Arguments and strategies for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into indigenous churches
- 11.1 Arguing the case for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into indigenous churches in Britain
- 11.2 Strategies for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research aims to explore the complex relationship between forced migration, globalisation, and the future of the Christian church. It examines the challenges and opportunities presented by the influx of refugees and asylum seekers on Christian communities, particularly in the context of a globalising world.
- The impact of globalisation on migration patterns and the rise of the "refugee highway."
- The role of the Christian church in welcoming and integrating refugees and asylum seekers.
- The development of a missiological framework for engaging with forced migration in a globalising world.
- The challenges and opportunities of creating multi-ethnic churches and fostering integration within Christian communities.
- The development of practical strategies for integrating refugees and asylum seekers into indigenous churches.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 introduces the research background, personal motivation, and methodology. It defines key terms and outlines the structure of the thesis. Chapter 2 explores theories of globalisation, examining its conceptualisation and dimensions. Chapter 3 delves into the relationship between globalisation and international migration, discussing migration theories, effects, and trends. Chapter 4 focuses on the "refugee highway," a term used to describe the flow of refugees across the globe, and its features. Chapter 5 provides an overview of migrants, refugees, and strangers in the Bible, examining their representation in both the Old and New Testaments. Chapter 6 investigates the multi-ethnic church and the issue of integration within the early church, as depicted in the Book of Acts. Chapter 7 examines various statements and programmes from different Christian denominations regarding their response to the refugee crisis. Chapter 8 explores missiological perspectives on mission and migration in a globalising world, including the reverse mission movement and the role of Christian migrants as agents of mission. Chapter 9 presents a testing-out research on the integration of refugees into the Christian church and secular immigration models. Chapter 10 delves into two social research projects on refugee ministry and minority ethnic churches in Nottingham. Chapter 11 argues for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into indigenous churches in Britain and outlines strategies for achieving this goal.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research focuses on the interplay of forced migration, globalisation, and the Christian church. Key themes include the "refugee highway," multi-ethnic churches, integration, missiology, reverse mission, and practical strategies for welcoming and integrating refugees and asylum seekers into Christian communities. The study draws upon empirical research findings and examines various Christian denominations' statements and programmes on refugee ministry.
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- Dr. Thorsten Prill (Autor:in), 2017, Global Mission on our Doorstep, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350540
