Missio Dei as the reconnection with the socially excluded homeless populations in Central London: the possible impact on being church

Abstract

The Bible says that Jesus Christ came into the world, to give abundant life to all (John 10:10). The truth is that His provision of abundant life includes the homeless. This implies that mission with the homeless is an essential part of truly fulfilling the missio Trinitatis Dei, and an essential part of the church's missional responsibilities, as the missional church sent by the missionary God. Therefore, this study addresses the research question: How can understanding the missio Dei help the Christian community to reconnect with and help the socially excluded homeless rough sleeping populations in Central London, in ways that will enhance on being church? As a result this study brings to light how critical issues surrounding Central London socially excluded homeless rough sleeping populations can be conflicting. For example, on the one hand, it is an offence for Central London homeless populations to sleep on the Central London streets. But on the other hand, they have nowhere else to sleep, except to sleep on Central London streets, even when sleeping on these streets sometimes lead to their death. This research also investigates by using homeless rough sleepers interviews, questionnaires, case studies, and literature review, to reveal the trauma of Central London homelessness. Church leaders and church workers interviews were also carried out and used for the same purpose. This thesis then examines some scriptures that highlight the missio Dei for the poor and homeless, and how the Christian community helping the poor and homeless can be rewarding for the poor and homeless, as well as the Christian community. This research examines other important factors that will help to facilitate effective mission with Central London socially excluded homeless rough sleepers. These include the need for the Christian community to transform from church-shaped missions to a mission-shaped church, and embrace holistic mission, as well as the ministry of reconciliation. These can be done by using Diakonia to evangelise, to disciple, and to develop intentional supportive relationships with the socially excluded Central London homeless rough sleepers, in order to encourage transformation in their lives. These will include contextualising the gospel to the socially excluded homeless rough sleepers' situations and environments, so that they can see how the gospel and the missio Dei are applicable to them, and important for their well-being. As a result, this study concludes that there is a need for a new holistic inclusive model, which advocates giving effective support to the socially excluded homeless rough sleeping populations, in order to enhance ways of being church, via aligning with the mission with the homeless, and aligning with missio Trinitatis Dei as Diakonia. As well as how this would in turn positively impact church attendance. As a result, this study highlights a new holistic model called: “The mission with the homeless model”, which encompasses the Christian community going through five other consecutive stages, which are named as follows: Stage 1: homeless sensitive church / ministry Stage 2: inclusive church / ministry Stage 3: reconnected church / ministry Stage 4: (re)integrated church / ministry Stage 5: discipling church / ministry