Problems with "pioneering" mission

Abstract

This paper brings together four voices in an autoethnographic manner to ask questions about power, and missionary imperialism in the birthing of new contextual churches. These narratives come from three nations, each with a history and inheritance of cultural and missiological imperialism. The narra­tives explore our own wrestling with being men in ecclesial settings, inhabiting spaces of power, while seeking to do so critically. The paper opens up a con­versation about the term “pioneer” as default language in many of the historic denominations in the UK, Germany and South Africa. It explores the use of the term and also asks how the language can be problematic. Finally, it offers the term “pilgrim” as an alternative word which we believe will be more sustainable.