The Missio Dei Embodied in Local Community Ministry in Scotland

Abstract

This paper examines missio Dei in a local community context, interpreting the Blue Horizon Youth Charity, Aberdeen, Scotland, in light of a missiology of listening, diagnosing, and discerning. John 5:9 is read in conversation with Terese Okure to clarify an abiding in mission. Luke 10:1–11 is read in conversation with Alan Roxburgh to develop a contextual particularity in the naming of God’s activity in the world. A local missional ecclesiology is developed with the missio Dei understood as practices of neighborhood listening, diagnosing local narratives, and discerning God and the gospel. The result is a theology of local community ministry as action-reflection on what the Father is doing by paying attention to vulnerable voices, particularly of youth in the community and so partnering with non-church actors in ways inclusive and gospel affirming. Missiology is returned to the local church as the missio Dei is embodied in the practices of local community mission.