Deconstruction seems to be a term that is rapidly emerging within our culture. Unfortunately, in some cases it is used to refer to various aspects of Christianity. Recently, I heard of it being associated with world missions.

Ted Esler, president of Missio Nexus, writes, “The current deconstruction in missiology is happening in three orbits.” Of course, when I read this, it caught my attention as it was something I had been thinking about as I’ve witnessed an increasing number of ways people seem to be using the term “missions”.

Here are the three areas of missions being affected by the deconstruction movement.

The first is redefining missions in the Christian life. This is connected to the term “Missio Dei” being God’s mission. This broadens the idea that all of us are missionaries. As a result, the growing sense is that there is little to no need of sending missionaries. This then is the destruction of obedience to God’s command to go to the regions beyond, cross-culturally, since we are all missionaries. In other words, if everyone is a missionary, no one is a missionary.

The second comes from a focus on immigration and refugee ministries. Some are now saying we don’t need to send missionaries out since the people are coming here. Ted Esler writes, “Fact check: immigrants make up 2.3% of the world’s population (about 220 million people). We won’t reach the 3+ billion trapped inside of unreached cultures without lots more sending.” This could deconstruct the idea of leadership training, Bible translations, and many other activities of church planting on an international level. I am all for reaching those migrating to our country, but it does not mean we stop going to the uttermost where many have still never heard the gospel.

The third idea of deconstructing missions, some believe, is the most serious of the three. It is more of a generational appeal where the idea of CRT (Critical Race Theory) is adopted in understanding missions. Ted Esler says, “CRT authors and speakers are alleging that missions as we have known is irredeemably racist and unjust. This is in full bloom in a couple of books, conferences, and academic missiology.” Yes, this is a political issue that most try to stay away from. However, missions is not racist and unjust or some type of colonialism and imperialism. Missions is the Great Commission given by Jesus Himself to the church to GO and tell people what Jesus did for them on the Cross. Missions is sharing the love of God through Jesus Christ. Our younger generations need to understand this. God is not willing that any should perish – therefore He sends us with the gospel message to all nations.

It is imperative that we stay true to the Great Commission. Acts 1:8 should still be our mission statement. We must reach those coming to our cities, our states and our country. At the same time, we must keep sending missionaries to go to those 3+ billion still in spiritual darkness, searching for the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We know that is Jesus Christ.

-Jon Konnerup, BBFI Mission Director