Integral Mission

The Theology of Integral mission was derived through studying the characteristics and the nature of the creation of God Almighty and His attributes. The term social gospel seems to be very liberal kind of concept for some evangelical believers even in today’s mission field. Nevertheless, the term Integral mission seems to represent broader areas of ministry. According to Ramachandra  Integral mission assimilate all the various aspects of man’s life into the light of God’s original design. Integral mission is another concept of making disciple. Therefore, mission is just not simply proclaiming the gospel (e.g. touch and go style) but intentionally helping new believers in various aspect of their need in order to help them grow holistically. God’s design for nature is cohesive (interconnected) and integrative.            

           Integral mission bring awareness of the affect of social, political, economic and tradition on one’s mental, spiritual, personhood and identity. Even one’s simply respond to the gospel can cause division in the family and social disruption (Luke 12:49-53). However, the gospel needs to be preached and people need to be respond. Thus, what should a missionary do? Should we just ignore the affects and effects of the gospel? On the other hand, we are commanded to love. Therefore, gospel not only what we are preaching but also how we were live.  Ramachandra rightly said ‘not how we should preach the Gospel, but what Gospel are we preaching? Integral mission flows out of an integral Gospel.’

           Finally, integral mission highlighted the importunacy of understanding cultural sensitivity and the responsibilities of the Church. Integral mission brought out mission from narrow scope of field to broader picture of the field such as provoking the value of human, human right, the needs of less fortunes people (for both Christian and non-Christians)  and so on. As someone said ‘you can give without loving, but you can not love without giving,’ integral mission is the part where the church demonstrates her love for Christ and people.