The Theology of Missions

A wave of missions, starting in the early 1850s, targeted inland areas, led by Hudson
Taylor (1832–1905) with his China Inland Mission (1865– ). Taylor was later supported
by Henry Grattan Guinness (1835–1910) who founded (1883) Cliff College, which
continues as of 2014 to train and equip for local and global mission.
The missions inspired by Taylor and Guinness have collectively been called
[by whom?]
"faith missions" and owe much to the ideas and example of Anthony Norris
Groves (1795–1853). Taylor, a thorough-going nativist, offended the
missionaries of his era by wearing Chinese clothing and speaking
Chinese at home. His books, speaking, and examples led to the
formation of numerous inland
missions and of the Student
Volunteer Movement (SVM, founded in 1886), which from
1850 to about 1950 sent nearly 10,000 missionaries to
inland areas, often at great
personal sacrifice. Many early
SVM missionaries traveling to areas with endemic
tropical diseases left with
their belongings packed in
a coffin, aware that 80%
of them would die within
two years.
British Empire
In the 18th century, and even
more so in the 19th century,
missionaries based in
Britain saw the Empire
as a fertile field for
proselytizing for Christianity. All the main denominations were involved, including the
Church of England, the Presbyterians of Scotland, and the Nonconformists. Much of the
enthusiasm emerged from the Evangelical revival. Within the Church of England, the
Church Mission Society (CMS) originated in 1799 and went on to undertake activity all
around the world, including in what became known as "the Middle East".
Before the American Revolution, Anglican and Methodist missionaries were active in the
13 Colonies. The Methodists, led by George Whitefield, were the most successful and
after the revolution and entirely distinct American Methodist denomination emerged that
became the largest Protestant denomination in the new United States. A major problem
for colonial officials was the demand of the Church of England to set up an American
bishop; this was strongly opposed by most of the Americans had never happened.
Increasingly colonial officials took a neutral position on religious matters, even in those
colonies such as Virginia where the Church of England was officially established, but in
practice controlled by laymen in the local vestries. After the Americans broke free,
British officials decided to enhance the power and wealth of the Church of England in all
the settler colonies, especially British North America (Canada).
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