| Abstract: | The United Methodist Church provides a model for understanding the relationship between theology, institutional structure and behaviour. Following the World Council of Church's meeting in Mexico, 1963, the Church followed the ecumenical and conciliar movement's stress on visible unity and participation in the agenda of the world. This lead to confusion in mission goals and contributed to the 40% decline in United Methodist missionaries from 1970 to 1980. This decline results from the lack of active recruitment of new personnel and not primarily external factors related to the fields themselves. Funds do exist for expanded missionary work, but constituent confidence must be regained. A clear committment to world evangelization is a vital part of restored confidence. |
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