Marketplace Missiology: An integrated approach to Missiological Education with reference to the DR Congo and the African Agenda 2063

Abstract

This study falls within the realm of marketplace missiology. The initial idea to undertake it emerged in my mind in 2018 while perusing a booklet titled The African Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, which is an ambitious 50-year continental strategic plan (2013-2063) based on Pan-Africanism for the achievement of a comprehensive transformation in Africa. Conducted from an evangelical perspective, the study focuses on an in-depth analysis of the contribution of the prevailing Protestant missiological education in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the realisation of the African Agenda 2063 (AA-2063). The aim was to critically evaluate this contribution towards actualising the agenda. Therefore, empirical research was conducted through interviews, documents, and a questionnaire to collect data, the analysis of which yielded the following significant results: (1) Protestant missiological training programmes in the DRC do not engage with the marketplace, which is central to the transformation of cities and nations and thus pivotal to the achievement of the AA-2063; (2) Protestant missiological institutions in the DRC lack effective strategies for transforming national culture; and, therefore, (3) the contribution of Protestant missiological education in the DRC to the actualisation of the AA-2063 is questionable and limited. Based on the theoretical and theological framework established from the literature review, the discussion and analysis of these findings led to proposing (1) a Pan-African marketplace missiology as an integrated approach to missiological education, (2) a model for a marketplace-oriented missiological training programme to solve the problem, and (3) the "Ephesus model" for theological education as a solid biblical foundation upon which Pan-African marketplace missiology must be grounded to remain relevant to the AA-2063. In addition to these propositions and the recommendations for future research, recommendations for action were formulated for the Church of Christ in Congo and related theological institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the African Union Commission. In summary, considering the propositions, it can be affirmed that this study contributes to the existing knowledge in the discipline of missiology. Likewise, the study is of substantial value to the Church and related missiological (theological) institutions because they can significantly enhance their contribution to the realisation of the AA-2063 by implementing the recommendations provided to them. Above all, I remain the greatest beneficiary of this study. Through it, I have learned that the church is not only ecclesia but also diaspora, which changes my perspective on lay ministry and God's mission while providing me with a new vision for the remainder of my life.