Mission Terminology

Diachronic study is the methodological approach in which the time dimension is along the time line (i.e. historically studying changes through time).

Diaspora refers to scattered or dispersed people. Etymologically it is derived from the Hebrew word, galut, meaning exile, and the Greek word, diaspora or disapeirein, which means dispersion. Historically the word diaspora has referred to the Jewish dispersions and settlement outside of Palestine from the time of exile through the Greek and Roman periods, as recorded in the Old Testament. It is even suggested that the rapid spread of Christianity in the early Church was aided by the scattered placement of Jews from the earlier dispersion around the world. Additional contemporary usage of the word diaspora refers to any people migrating and being settled far from their ancestral homeland; people who are on the move or being moved.

Diaspora Groups refers to various groups of people considered to belong to the diaspora category.They are refugees, immigrants, migrant workers, international students,documented
immigrants holding visa and green card,undocumented immigrants without visa or green card, and diplomats. This contemporary usage of the word diaspora has an expanded meaning, from the original reference to Jewish dispersion to other groups away from homeland for every reason and in multiple formats.

Diaspora Missiology is a relatively new term for formal study on missions among diaspora peoples, or the academic discipline of the churchs mission in spreading the Christian faith among non-Christian diaspora peoples wherever they are located.

Evangelism is rooted in the Greek word euangelizo meaning... to spread the Good News of the Gospel with signs following, in both supernatural power and compassionate deeds, to preach, to persuade, to call to faith in Christ. When this term is seen as the goal of missions then there is a close relationship with missiology.

Missiology is the theological and formal study of the mission of the church, the character and purpose of missionary work. It may be called the science of missions. Etymologically this word is derived from the French word missiologie which is transliterated to missiology in English.This word has controversy over its value due to its earlier construct from Latin, missio or mitto, and Greek, aposetello and logos that was deemed a clumsy construct, a monstrous hybrid. However, missio refers to the missio dei or mission of God and logos to logos anthropon meaning the nature of man. So when the mission of God comes into contact with the nature of man, Mark Terry calls it a holy collision resulting in a new dynamic. Therefore, the true value of usage of the word missiology is seen in its theological content. It is in fact, missionary theology with a valuable place in theological studies and contributions to Christian theology and doctrinal statements.

Mission is a word derived from Latin, missio or mitto, as noted above. It means delegationor sending with a goal in sight. In general it refers to a body of persons sent to perform a service or carry on an activity. The term is used by Christians in reference to the task,obligation or commission, adopted by the Church to spread the Christian faith throughout the world. When related to the theology of missions and a history of missions in the Christian context, it contributes to the formulation of a philosophy of missions.

Synchronic Study is the methodological approach in which the time dimension is frozen; in contrast to diachronic study (see above).