An evaluation of the engagement of the Pakistani churches in mission: a comparative study on Church of Pakistan (Lahore and Hyderabad dioceses) and Full Gospel Assemblies of Pakistan

There are strong traditions supporting the belief that Christianity had come to Indo-Pak with the Apostle Thomas in the first century. However, since its origin, the Pakistani Church has been chronically less engaged in intentional mission.
This comparative study explores the phenomena of mission engagement of the Church of Pakistan (Lahore and Hyderabad Dioceses) and of the Full Gospel Assemblies of Pakistan. It brings out their similarities and differences, as well as issues of growth and decline, specifically as they affect their mission engagement and therefore their success and failure in that arena. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used to evaluate the mission engagement of these churches in three main areas namely: mission theology, mission practice and perceived restrictions.
It has been discovered that due to its fragmented understanding of the biblical story, anthropocentric focus, neglect of the cosmic redemption and the exclusion of the Abrahamic responsibility of being a blessing to the nations, the mission theology of Pakistani churches is inadequate and inconsistent. The Pakistani churches are engaged in mission, but their engagement is not complete because of their withering evangelistic dimensions, passive presence, intentional alienation from their context and compartmentalized identifications. It is evident that most of the restrictions these churches are facing in terms of mission engagement are internal rather than external.
Based on the above findings the research concludes that the Pakistani Church is engaged in inadequate mission due to inconsistent theological reflection, incomplete mission practice and overwhelming internal restrictions. Therefore, for effective engagement the Pakistani Church needs to revise its mission theology and practice and deal with its internal restrictions.