Council for Theological Gobbledegook

I've been sent a job advert for the post of General Secretary of the Council for World Mission (CWM). It’s not a role for which I feel any desire or ambition, but I do like to study such posts. Three things strike me regarding its section describing the organisation’s strategy:

-The level of gobbledegook and jargon. I have a degree in theology and am puzzled by its meaning, which I highlight in italics;

-Its obsession with empires. The last time I looked these were all but gone, which I highlight in bold. 

-The absence of eternity; one might believe it’s come straight from the South American world of Liberation theology, in which Christians actively oppose governments, ushering in a utopian paradise of equality. These I underline:

The 2010-2019 strategic framework that has shaped CWM’s programmatic engagement,

is woven around the vision, ‘Fullness of life through Christ for all creation” (John 10:10).

This vision is the life-affirming thematic thrust and theological undergirding for CWM for

such a time as this. Informed and propelled by that vision and ethos, CWM presently

engages six programmatic areas:

Discernment and radical engagement, a bold and daring demonstration of

discontent with the life-denying global landscape, resulting in critical contextual

and counter-imperial hermeneutical reflection, research and engagement with the

Bible and theology.

Mission support, accompanying member churches in their quest to hear God’s

cry and lament; to recall and engage their missional stories; and to work in

partnership with others, in an environment of mutual challenge, encouragement

and equipping, for God’s mission in context.

Capacity development, through ongoing academic accompaniment and other

strategic capacity development initiatives, among member-churches and the

ecumenical community, to facilitate life-transforming and cutting-edge missional

engagement

Leadership formation, an attempt at engaging and equipping the next generation

of leaders to confidently and courageously participate in radical Christian worship

and discipleship, subverting the forces of empire and envisioning “another world”,

marked by Shalom (Rev 21: 1-4).

Partner in mission, a multi-directional, “from everywhere to everywhere”,

sharing of people, in living out the post-colonial partnership paradigm of

mutuality, asserting the principle of giving and receiving by everyone, for doing

God’s mission among the 32 member-churches and beyond

Cutting edge mission initiatives, a disposition, on the part of Management, to

remain open to discerning the movement of God’s Spirit and to act in prompt

obedience, in addressing such emerging issues that beckon a discipleship

response.

Anyone who understands this verbiage is welcome to the post.

Image by Prawny from Pixabay