Episode 5: Understanding Missio Dei and the Mission of the Church | Professor Sam Degner

Guest: Professor Sam Degner, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

Topics:

• Missio Dei

• The Image of God (Imago Dei)

• Missiology

• The Book of Acts as a Missiological Model

• Practical Application of Mission Principles

Key Takeaways:

• Missio Dei means "mission of God."

• The mission of the church is God's mission, focused on reconciling sinners to Himself.

• Understanding the Imago Dei (Image of God) helps us focus on spiritual salvation as the core of God's mission.

• Missiology is the study of the mission of the church, drawing from various disciplines like history, anthropology, and linguistics.

• The book of Acts provides a biblical model for missiology, demonstrating how theology and history inform mission strategy.

• Practical application involves understanding God's mission and discerning our role in our specific vocations.

References and links:

• Timothy Tennant, Invitation to World Missions (2010)

• John Mark Terry, Missiology: An Introduction (1999)

• Missio Dei and Imago Dei by Professor Sam Degner (available on gospelcenteredmentoring.site for download)

• Pastor Jonathan Schroeder’s Jesus and Jetlag episode on grace, the cross, and vocation in missions.

• The Missions Podcast

Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag

• WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)

• WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)

• Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays

• BWM = WELS Board for World Missions

• CELC = Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

• CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

• Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system

• Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.

All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.