Kyle Small | Anderson University (South Carolina) (original) (raw)

Papers by Kyle Small

Missiology: An International Review, 2009

Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insi... more Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insights that indicate that the phenomena associated with migrants and strangers are not new. Several of the writers report on their own research in Nigeria, Kenya, the Congo, New York, several European countries, and other places. Routinely they use classifications like “voluntary” and “involuntary” migrations, and in both cases various refinements of those categories are provided. From both strategic and empathetic points of view, it is important to delineate between the various causes of involuntary migration: starvation, war, ethnic cleansing, increased marginalization, political realignments, etc. Both church leaders and others with concern for mission will benefit from awareness of the wide variety of causes of migration. In that regard, Susanna Snyder deals with the huge problem of both classifying and engaging people who seek asylum. Several writers deal with the manner in which a si...

Missiology: An International Review, 2009

Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insi... more Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insights that indicate that the phenomena associated with migrants and strangers are not new. Several of the writers report on their own research in Nigeria, Kenya, the Congo, New York, several European countries, and other places. Routinely they use classifications like “voluntary” and “involuntary” migrations, and in both cases various refinements of those categories are provided. From both strategic and empathetic points of view, it is important to delineate between the various causes of involuntary migration: starvation, war, ethnic cleansing, increased marginalization, political realignments, etc. Both church leaders and others with concern for mission will benefit from awareness of the wide variety of causes of migration. In that regard, Susanna Snyder deals with the huge problem of both classifying and engaging people who seek asylum. Several writers deal with the manner in which a significant number of migrants from Africa and the West Indies go to Europe with a sense of evangelization. Rebecca Catto deals particularly with the concept of “reverse mission” or “mission in return” by which Christians who are not economic migrants go to various European countries to evangelize those who have lost their way. Emma Wild-Wood’s chapter deals with one case of Africans migrating to other African nations. In the Congo, for example, Anglican churches were planted initially to accommodate Anglican migrant workers. Another chapter deals with Nigerians who are planting churches in Kenya. Catto follows Diana Witts in saying it may be better to think of missions “from everywhere to everywhere,” rather than using more restrictive terms like “reverse mission.” The subject of Israel Selvanayam’s chapter is the impact and challenge of the Hindu Diaspora in the UK. He offers practical suggestions for future engagements that will be more helpful than past efforts have been. The last three chapters, by Nicholas Sagovsky, Timothy Gorringe, and Thomas R. Whelan, deal with practical matters involved in “changing Christian thinking” about their response to migrant peoples. Some of their material is directed to a reinterpretation of the phenomena involved when a stranger is in the midst of a more settled population. Whelan outlines various issues that emerge when Christians from different countries attempt to engage in multicultural worship. He offers numerous suggestions for acceptable options. Here and there a slight error is noticed, as in the statement that Jesus was born in Nazareth (19). No explanation was given for the omission of the huge issue of Muslim migration to Europe, especially since Hindu migration to the UK was treated. Further, migration among Asians is barely mentioned. On the other hand, Mission and Migration claims to be neither a handbook or encyclopedic in nature. But by ample footnoting one is made aware of a much larger body of literature available on the subjects treated. Both the mission strategist and the researcher will find many “jumping off” places in these pages. For Christians in all countries who want to think responsibly and act meaningfully toward immigrants, Mission and Migration will both assist veterans who have already grappled with the issues and serve as a very useful introduction for novices who are beginning their quest for understanding. The essays are even-handed; and although they are given in an academic setting, one sees not far beneath the surface a practical desire to act with justice and seize the opportunities involved in the current massive shifts of world populations.

Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook, 2013

Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook, 2013

Teaching Theology & Religion, 2014

Missiology: An International Review, 2009

Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insi... more Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insights that indicate that the phenomena associated with migrants and strangers are not new. Several of the writers report on their own research in Nigeria, Kenya, the Congo, New York, several European countries, and other places. Routinely they use classifications like “voluntary” and “involuntary” migrations, and in both cases various refinements of those categories are provided. From both strategic and empathetic points of view, it is important to delineate between the various causes of involuntary migration: starvation, war, ethnic cleansing, increased marginalization, political realignments, etc. Both church leaders and others with concern for mission will benefit from awareness of the wide variety of causes of migration. In that regard, Susanna Snyder deals with the huge problem of both classifying and engaging people who seek asylum. Several writers deal with the manner in which a si...

Missiology: An International Review, 2009

Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insi... more Although other writers refer to theological concerns, Naish’s chapter provides many biblical insights that indicate that the phenomena associated with migrants and strangers are not new. Several of the writers report on their own research in Nigeria, Kenya, the Congo, New York, several European countries, and other places. Routinely they use classifications like “voluntary” and “involuntary” migrations, and in both cases various refinements of those categories are provided. From both strategic and empathetic points of view, it is important to delineate between the various causes of involuntary migration: starvation, war, ethnic cleansing, increased marginalization, political realignments, etc. Both church leaders and others with concern for mission will benefit from awareness of the wide variety of causes of migration. In that regard, Susanna Snyder deals with the huge problem of both classifying and engaging people who seek asylum. Several writers deal with the manner in which a significant number of migrants from Africa and the West Indies go to Europe with a sense of evangelization. Rebecca Catto deals particularly with the concept of “reverse mission” or “mission in return” by which Christians who are not economic migrants go to various European countries to evangelize those who have lost their way. Emma Wild-Wood’s chapter deals with one case of Africans migrating to other African nations. In the Congo, for example, Anglican churches were planted initially to accommodate Anglican migrant workers. Another chapter deals with Nigerians who are planting churches in Kenya. Catto follows Diana Witts in saying it may be better to think of missions “from everywhere to everywhere,” rather than using more restrictive terms like “reverse mission.” The subject of Israel Selvanayam’s chapter is the impact and challenge of the Hindu Diaspora in the UK. He offers practical suggestions for future engagements that will be more helpful than past efforts have been. The last three chapters, by Nicholas Sagovsky, Timothy Gorringe, and Thomas R. Whelan, deal with practical matters involved in “changing Christian thinking” about their response to migrant peoples. Some of their material is directed to a reinterpretation of the phenomena involved when a stranger is in the midst of a more settled population. Whelan outlines various issues that emerge when Christians from different countries attempt to engage in multicultural worship. He offers numerous suggestions for acceptable options. Here and there a slight error is noticed, as in the statement that Jesus was born in Nazareth (19). No explanation was given for the omission of the huge issue of Muslim migration to Europe, especially since Hindu migration to the UK was treated. Further, migration among Asians is barely mentioned. On the other hand, Mission and Migration claims to be neither a handbook or encyclopedic in nature. But by ample footnoting one is made aware of a much larger body of literature available on the subjects treated. Both the mission strategist and the researcher will find many “jumping off” places in these pages. For Christians in all countries who want to think responsibly and act meaningfully toward immigrants, Mission and Migration will both assist veterans who have already grappled with the issues and serve as a very useful introduction for novices who are beginning their quest for understanding. The essays are even-handed; and although they are given in an academic setting, one sees not far beneath the surface a practical desire to act with justice and seize the opportunities involved in the current massive shifts of world populations.

Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook, 2013

Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook, 2013

Teaching Theology & Religion, 2014