Missiology

Missiology is the academic study and practical discipline concerned with Christian missionary activity, including the theology, methods, and consequences of attempting to spread the gospel across cultures. The term derives from Latin missio "sending" and the Greek -logia "study of." The field addresses why missions exist, how they are conducted, and what effects they have on individuals, churches, and societies. Core components include proclamation of faith, church planting, Scripture translation, leadership development, education, humanitarian aid, and social transformation. It also engages with cross-cultural communication, contextualization, ethics, and interfaith and ecumenical relations.

Historically, missiology traces to biblical reflections on mission and the global expansion of Christianity in the medieval and early modern periods. In the modern era it became a formal academic field and a field of practice linked to missionary societies, denominations, and mission agencies. Debates have focused on issues such as contextualization versus preservation of form, power dynamics and colonial legacies, partnership with local churches, and the balance between evangelism and social service. Notable historical figures associated with missionary work include William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and later scholars and practitioners who shaped its academic profile, such as Ralph D. Winter and David Barrett.

In contemporary scholarship, missiology integrates theology, anthropology, sociology, and history. It studies world Christianity demographics, strategy for mission, and the impacts of mission initiatives. Practically, it emphasizes partnerships with indigenous churches, ethical engagement, localization of leadership, and the use of media and technology in mission efforts. It remains a field aimed at understanding and responsibly guiding Christian mission in a pluralistic world.