Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Neuere Christentumsgeschichte (en)

Dissertation Project

One missionary community? Concepts of Community in the Rhenish Missionary Society 1828–1880 (working title)

In the early years of the Rhenish Missionary Society, I want to investigate the question of how the missionary society was theoretically conceived, theologically reflected and practically lived as a community. Who saw themselves as part of it and was recognized as such? Where did the boundaries of this community run? And what tension existed between theological convictions, efforts of standardisation, and community practices? I assume that the different community conceptions were negotiated in an ongoing process. Not only the leaders but in particular non-European Christians had a share in shaping the mission. They adopted the community ideas of the European missionaries, rejected them in parts, developed new social structures and thus filles decisive roles in the mission.