Abstract:
This article is a response to the description of Dutch Reformed mission since 1990
as mission “to the ends of the earth” in Willem Saayman’s book Being Missionary
– Being Human. An overview of Dutch Reformed Mission. Saayman distinguish four
eras or waves of extraordinary mission endeavour. It is argued that the 4th wave
identified by Saayman as an unfolding wave with particular emphasis on mission
work outside local communities and South African borders, must be understood
in a more comprehensive way. There is clear indication of an emerging missional
ecclesiology in the policy decisions of the Dutch Reformed Church. A study of these
policy decisions leads to the conclusion that a renewed commitment to Africa and to
the healing of South Africa as well as a new missional paradigm are paving the way
for a focus on local communities. The mission spiral of mission “far away” has made a
turn “at home”.
