The first part of this paper will provide a limited overview of the genesis and development of the missio Dei concept during the last fifty years from a theology of mission perspective. Initial effort will be made to look at the setting and the circumstances surrounding missio Dei’s first appearance, namely the World Missions Conference held in Willingen, Germany. Following this point of entry, the definition of missio Dei and the broader perspective that has developed from various theological standpoints will be presented and accessed. Finally, the first part of this paper concludes investigating the missio Dei framework as it has been integrated into biblical theology.
Once the overview of missio Dei has been presented, the second part of this paper will attempt to establish its practical ramifications in forming a contextual missional approach to ministry in Europe. Terminologies such as post-Christian, postmodernism, secularization and the European Dream will be addressed, as they relate to getting a handle on ministry in contemporary Europe.