Introduction to the Sociology of Missions

While much work has been done to apply anthropological insights to the study of missions, the sociological perspective has been generally neglected by missiologists. This volume defines the sociology of missions as a discrete subdiscipline within the sociology of religion and provides a working set of conceptual resources for those involved in mission work to use in furthering their understanding of their task. The author reviews the major areas of sociology that are most relevant to missions and presents his findings as a basis for discussion and a stimulus to further exploration of relevant sociological concepts and theories. One of his main goals is to increase dialogue between missiologists and sociologists of religion, by providing the former with a sociological perspective and the latter with a deeper understanding of the missionary enterprise.

List of contents

Preface
Introduction
Sociology of Missions as a Field of Study
Social Change and Missions
Diffusion Theory and Missions
Missionaries and the Sociology of Missions
Religious Movements and Missions
Intergroup Relations, Social Identity, and Missions
Additional Specialized Areas in Sociology Related to Missions
Sociology of Religion and Missions
Theory Construction in the Sociology of Missions
Appendix
References
Index

About the author

ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY is a retired missionary and minister./e After serving as a Presbyterian missionary in Taiwan for 16 years, he divided his time between the ministry and academia. Since retirement in 1994, he has concentrated on writing.

Product details

• Authors: Robert L. Jr. Montgomery, Montgomery Robert L.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.11.1999
• EAN: 9780275966911
• ISBN: 978-0-275-96691-1
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Religion, Religion / Christian Church / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, Anthropology, RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Missions, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Evangelism, RELIGION / Christianity / General, Christian mission & evangelism, Christianity, Religious mission and Religious Conversion, Religious institutions and organizations, Religious institutions & organizations