Paper short abstract:

The concept of Christianity moving towards the south is not unfamiliar, at least to religious studies and mission scholars. As far back as the 1970s, this global change was discussed in well-known works by some scholars. The current state of Christianity in several Western countries and what could be perceived as its rapid growth among the non-western countries has over the years made the discourse on reverse mission a topical issue. With the historical trajectory of the African Diaspora in Europe and the founding of several branches of African International Churches the debate on reverse mission has gained greater momentum. This shift occurring in Europe raises interesting questions. What happens when the roles are reversed - when the missionary is not the “white man” and the “native” is a white westerner in a developed and historically ‘Christian’ country? What kind of religious communities do the new immigrant community build? What do the relationships among the immigrant Christian community tell us about the dynamics of relations within the Christian community and the de-westernization of the Christian faith? These questions are addressed through field research conducted among the African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship (ACCF), Edinburgh. The paper teases out how contestations of power, space and Othering - public and media representations - mirror the paradox of the debate and practice.

Paper long abstract:

'Reverse mission' or 'reverse flow of mission' or 'receiving mission' is increasingly becoming a buzz phrase in academia and mission circles. However, until recently, the bourgeoning literature on contemporary immigrant religions in Europe seems to have undermined the rich dynamic of African immigrant religiosity that contributes to the diversification of the European landscape. This phenomenon termed 'reverse mission' aims at re-evangelizing Europe or the Northern Hemisphere, the former heartlands of the 19th and 20th century Christian mission. The phenomenon hinges on the notion that European churches, especially the established ones, are experiencing a rapid decline in membership and social relevance. Thus Christianity has to be revitalized or even reintroduced into its former heartland. 'Reverse mission' as a process has significant religious, social, political and missiological import, especially given that Africa was at the receiving end of the 19th and 20th century Christian mission. This study examines the de-Europeanization and globalization of Christianity through case studies of the African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship (ACCF), Edinburgh who see their mission as that of re-establishing Christianity in the former Christian heartland.