International Conference of Mission Studies in Balatonfüred

From August 16 till 23, the International Association of Mission Studies (IAMS) will hold its XIIth Quadrennial International Conference and General Assembly on the shores of Lake Balaton, in Balatonfüred (Hungary). Approximately 300 scholars and missionaries from all continents will convene to discuss the theme: “Human identity and the gospel of reconciliation. Agenda for mission studies and praxis in the 21st century.”

About the Conference
What are the challenges, opportunities and obligations for the churches if they want to remain true to their calling in a world in which peaceful co-existence is complicated by ethnic, gender, political and religious differences? A number of eminent scholars will introduce the various sub-themes and open up the discussions. Prof. Dr Miklós Tomka (Pázmány Peter Catholic University, Budapest) will speak on religious identity; Prof. Dr. Lalsangkima Pachau (United Theological Seminary, Asbury) will introduce the theme of ethnic and national identity; whereas Prof. Dr. Wi Jo Kang (Korea) will reflect on missiology; last but not least, Prof. Dr. Brian Stanley (Henry Martyn Centre, Cambridge UK) will open up the discussion on reconciliation.

Besides the plenary sessions, a wide range of topical research papers will be given in parallel sessions. From different thematic perspectives, for example, “Women in Mission”, “Healing and Pneumatology”, Biblical Studies and Mission”, “Mission History”, “Interreligious Studies”, “Globalisation and Mission” and “Ethnic and minority identity and Mission” an overview of missiological thinking on human identity and the gospel of reconciliation in the 21st century will be explored.

The Hungarian context will be part and parcel of the conference. On Sunday August 17th participants are invited to attend church services in Budapest. After the services in the various denominations present in Budapest, there will be time for meetings with the members of the respective parishes and congregations to learn about the life of the Christian communities in the city of Budapest. On Tuesday August 19th the programme has provided the opportunity for exposure trips to explore the various missiological contexts of the Hungarian churches. Participants will be able to meet with the organisers of the project “Urban mission in Budapest 2007” and lay and ordained mission workers among the Roma population.

Addressing another facet of Hungary’s religious story, past and present, a group will explore the Jewish Diaspora in Hungary. Finally another group will be provided “with an opportunity to learn about the vicissitudes of the Christian communities under Communist ideology. All these experiences will allow participants to understand something of the challenge that the Assembly’s theme offers them in the 21st century.

About IAMS
The International Association of Mission Studies was begun in 1968. Its membership consists of 78 institutes and more than 500 individual scholars from Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal backgrounds, specialising in the study of missiology, Christian missionary practice and interfaith dialogue. IAMS aims to promote the exchange between the theological, historical, social and practical dimensions of mission studies and promote inter-disciplinary research. It promotes co-operation between institutions and individuals and encourages publications in its journal, Mission Studies.

About the Organisation of the Conference
The XIth Assembly of IAMS meeting in Port Dickson, Malaysia in 2004, deliberately chose Hungary for its XIIth International Conference to raise missiological awareness in Central Europe. A Hungarian conference also allows the wider Christian community to be in touch with the reality of the Christian community in Central and Eastern Europe. The Local Organising Committee is headed by Prof. Dr. Anne-Marie Kool (Director of Central and Eastern European Institute for Mission Studies of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church). The public relations officer for the conference will be Csongor Szerdahelyi (Public Relations officer for the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary)

For more information, please check out the conference weblog www.iams2008.com and the IAMS-website: www.missionstudies.org

Balatonfured, 16. August 2008.