Category Archives: Publications

Social Sciences and Mission

Enoch Wan. Specialization and integration in the “social sciences” are relatively recent developments in the academic disciplines as compared to classical studies of the humanities (e.g. philosophy, literature, etc.) and the natural sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, etc.). There are different ways of classifying and categorizing disciplines in the “social sciences;” only five (i.e. anthropology, psychology,Continue reading “Social Sciences and Mission”

Ethnic Receptivity Factors

Enoch Wan. In this paper, we will look at informative cases or situations for contextualized evangelism of different ethnic groups, followed by the interpretive analysis of cultural integration/variation factors and concluded by instructive suggestions for our evangelism and church-planting strategies within these new Canadian cultures.

Critique of Functional Missionary Anthropology

Enoch Wan. In the last three decades, “missionary anthropology” has “remained synonymous with functionalism done by Christians” (Krass 1979:28). According to functionalism, “culture is not a mere lifeless heap of unrelated parts: it is a system more like a living organism or a complicated operation” (Luzbetak 1970:141). The organismic analogy and organic/equilibrium perspective of functionalismContinue reading “Critique of Functional Missionary Anthropology”

The Future of Globalizing Missions: What the Literature Suggests

Marty Shaw. Jr. and Enoch Wan. A great deal of change has and continues to take place in the world of missions even within the few short years of the 21st century. One of those areas of change is the reality that missions no longer emanates from a few centers of the west, but trulyContinue reading “The Future of Globalizing Missions: What the Literature Suggests”

Pastor As Servant-Leader

Enoch Wan. Pastor is as a servant-leader is an endangered species due to several factors: general Christian practice (ministerial practice included) not in accordance to the Scriptures but in conformity to contemporary culture, spiritual character of leader (including pastor) minimized and natural/managerial quality maximized, etc. Due to the limitation of length, the precedent of Jesus’Continue reading “Pastor As Servant-Leader”

Missions Practice in the 21st Century

Enoch Wan and Sadiri Joy Tira. The landscape and ministry context in the 21st Century is markedly different from the last century. Notably present are the socio-cultural forces of globalization, postmodernism, terrorism and international migration. This book is a collection of writings by various contributors, informative of the practice of Missions in the 21st Century. 

A Theology of Spirit-Anointed Witness in Holistic Christian Mission Framed in the Relational Paradigm

Enoch Wan and Mathew Karimpanamannil. In this book, a theology of Spirit-anointed witness in holistic Christian mission is articulated with an emphasis on “relational paradigm.” The thesis is that the church be authorized, enlightened, enriched, equipped, and empowered to proclaim, practice, and demonstrate the power of God’s Kingdom. Formulating a theology of mission is notContinue reading “A Theology of Spirit-Anointed Witness in Holistic Christian Mission Framed in the Relational Paradigm”

Church Planting Among Immigrants in US Urban Centers

Enoch Wan and Anthony Francis Casey. The Where, Why, and How of Diaspora Missiology in Action. This book shows patterns of assimilation and integration that are common among immigrant groups and provides tools of cultural research to get out in the city, talk to people, build relationships, gain entrance into these communities, find leaders, andContinue reading “Church Planting Among Immigrants in US Urban Centers”

Christianity in the East and the West. Practical Contextualization: A Case Study of Evangelizing Contemporary Chinese

Enoch Wan. In this paper, we will focus on the topic of practical contextualization. I regard this article as a sequel to the last one on theological contextualization and my intention is to move from a general discussion of theological methodology to suggestions for practical Christianity in terms of evangelizing Chinese. For the purpose ofContinue reading “Christianity in the East and the West. Practical Contextualization: A Case Study of Evangelizing Contemporary Chinese”