Notions of mission re-examining protestant missionaries’ understandings of the content and purpose of their work in today’s world and their reaching for utopia

Abstract

The notion of mission might bring forth images of the Christianisation of 'heathens' in the context of Colonialism. However, such narrow portrayals miss the variety of different missionary practices in today’s world. This paper explores German and Swiss Protestant missionaries’ understandings of the content and purpose of their work. It argues that the studied missionaries, with their claim to provide “holistic” care, raise awareness and induce behavioural changes, seek to create an ideal space (utopia) for themselves as well as the respective local populations.