A few years ago, I wanted to learn more about missiology/mission studies. I had the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU at my disposal and spent hours scouring through its collections trying to figure out the discipline. All I really knew was that there was such a thing as the scholarly study of mission and that little had been done on Mormon mission work in particular. What I sought for but never seemed to find was some kind of Dummies guide to missiology, like an intro textbook or something. I even downloaded syllabuses galore, but time and again really found that most intro courses focused on theology. Wasn’t there someone, somewhere talking about missiology in theoretical terms? In other words, where could I find an introduction that explained what missiological theories there were, like in a science class or an art class?

Alas, I found nothing, really, that matched what I was looking for. Since then, I’ve come to understand that the discipline itself likely hasn’t progressed enough for this kind of approach. I certainly believe that there is enough material out there, and plenty of theories to go around to supply a semester of “Intro to Missiology,” but off-hand, I don’t recall anyone providing the kind of textbook I’m looking for.

Here are ten ways to get started in the scholarly approach (as opposed to institutional, theological, or apologetic approaches) to the study of mission.

1. Get Introduced to History of Christianity

An excellent documentary series Christianity: The First (and Second) Thousand Years is available through iTunes and produced by History Channel. It provides 8 hours of documentary that covers the beginnings of Christianity through the 20th century. Probably the best survey of Christian history, and inexpensive, too.

2. Take History of Christianity Courses from iTunes U

Two full-length college courses, History of Christianity I & II, are available through iTunes U. Grounding oneself in Christian history helps to contextualize the work of mission and the expansion of Christianity.

3. Take the History of Missions Course

Also on iTunes U is a full-length college course, History of Missions. By now, you’ll have solid grounding for understanding the historical events leading to the rise of global Christianity and mission work over time.

4. Begin with Exclusivism Missiology

Because exclusivist missiology has been, and in many ways continues to be, the predominant theory for Christian missionaries, I believe it’s a good place to start. Check out J. H. Bavinck’s Introduction to the Science of Missions for a good look at a traditional approach to missiology.

5. Learn the Development of Missiology as a Discipline

Exclusivism gives way in the 20th century to several other theories of mission. Timothy Yates’ Christian Mission in the Twentieth Century gives an excellent survey of how mission develops throughout this time period and, roughly, into the present. This book will also introduce you to the key players in the discipline of missiology and give some background as to how and where current discourse about mission got started. Two excellent sources for mapping the discipline include Missiology: An Ecumenical Introduction and Missiology: An Introduction.

6. More Mission History

I’m a believer in historical method for informing theory. To see how various mission theories have been applied over time, first check out Stephen Neill’s History of Christian Missions. (This book, in fact, is indispensable for anyone interested in missiology.) Then, when you’re feeling more ambitious, take on Kenneth Scott Latourette’s pathbreaking study History of the Expansion of Christianity (7 vols). By now, you’re as versed in Christian mission history as anybody

7. Learn Postcolonial Theory

By now you’ll be well aware of Christian mission’s shady past as a force for imperialism and colonialism. I believe missiologists do themselves a disservice when they neglect postcolonial critique and insist on maintaining an exclusivist or passé response to mission’s complicity with violence and global oppression. This does not mean we need to only criticize mission, but we certainly must be aware of what postcolonialists are saying about mission work if we are to respond intelligently and honestly. I recommend the following books in order for grasping postcolonial critique:

• Robert J. C. Young’s Very Short Introduction to Postcolonialism
• Young’s Historical Introduction to Postcolonialism
• Catherine Belsey’s Very Short Intro to Poststructuralism
• Gary Gutting’s Very Short Intro to Foucault
• Meyda Yegenoglu’s Colonial Fantasies
• Donaldson’s and Pui-Lan’s Postcolonialism, Feminism, and Religious Discourse”>
• Musa Dube’s HIV/AIDS Bible

8. Deconstruct Missiology

Given the history of mission and contemporary debates, an excellent exercise is to deconstruct the discipline. What I mean is that by turning missiology on its head, I believe you can introduce more academic objectivity and honesty into the work of studying mission. All to often, missiologists involve only theology and call it academic work. Only when theology is questioned and analyzed objectively can missiologists call it honest academic work. Well, take it a step further, and I consider it immoral to a degree to study mission, argue in its defense, and remain unaware of the implications of mission for violence and oppression. Deconstruction provides a healthy look at missiology that in the least will alert us to problems inherent in the discipline, and as a result we might keep ourselves in check a little more often before rushing to conclusions. (Off of my soapbox now )

Jorgen Skov Sorensen provides an excellent “mutilation” of missiology that illustrates what I’m describing. It’s proven helpful for me in making sure I’m not overly dogmatic in my presumptions of the good mission work does in the world.

9. Subscribe to an Academic Journal on Missiology

A handful of journals will keep you up to speed in the current discourse, depending on your interests.

• International Review of Mission
• Missiology: An International Review
• Missionalia
• International Bulletin of Missionary Research
• Mission Studies
• Dharma Deepika: A South Asian Journal of Missiological Research
• Rethinking Mission
• Journal of Applied Missiology out of print

10. Work with a Mission Organization

This will depend on your own faith tradition. Most missiologists who want to do field work do so within the institutional structures of their religious affiliation. Look into what options are available to you, and volunteer some time in mission work. Even if you spend only one day as a missionary, the experience is invaluable for understanding mission work on a practical and real/lived level.