Research

This is a fundamental research project in which the aspects of dialogue and proclamation (the Diaconia and Martyria respectively) come to a meaningful unity. Thereby, it is hoped that the mission concept will not only be positively received in theology but that it will also cause a revaluation of mission.
Primary indicators of research are the local missionary practices. The analysis of the concrete mission practice in local churches has to form the basis of the concept. The reflection of analytical results is completed by Church documents, relevant literature and also fundamentals of other sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology).

Migration is a worldwide phenomenon that brings together people of all nations and, of course, may imply difficulties of coexistence. On the other hand there is a big chance especially for the Church to rediscover God’s call of forming one people without borders. In this context the IWM’s research on Mission and Migration is focusing on the challenges and opportunities that arise from migration inside the local churches. How can they answer God’s call and become a ferment of real brotherhood in society?

Research project: The Worldwide Church in Germany (germ.)

The research area « Intercultural Theology » reflects upon the cultural diversity in which Christian faith incarnates itself in history and its relationship to other religions. By fostering the dialogue between members of different cultures and religions it tries to better understand God’s revelation and to participate in the establishing of God’s reign, which it understands as a reign of liberty, tolerance, mutual respect, justice and peace. Key questions of Intercultural theology are the relationship between universality and contextuality of the Christian message, religious and cultural diversity, globalization and fundamentalism and questions of in(ter)culturation.

According to the bible the care of the sick and the health-service for the people belongs to the core of the Church´s mission in the world. But the current debates show that the concept of health is not uniformly determined. Therefore the research field “Mission and Health” reflects theologically – in a interdisciplinary and intercultural way – on the concept of Health. On this basis, the healing mission of the Church can be concretised.

Research project: Healthful Virtues (germ.)

The well-known words of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) show an important connection between the missionary mandate of the church and its educational task. Therefore, the research field „Mission and Education“ focuses on this reciprocal relationship: Which concept of education can we, for example, find in the church documents of the past and present? What´s the main reason for the educational work of the global church – still an attempt to spread the Christian faith or the commitment for an universal human right? This are just some of the key questions for a new approach regarding the meaning of education in the radically changed context of mission today.

Research project: The Concept of Education in the Context of Mission (germ.)