Exploring the Laity’s Mission in the Philippines in the Light of the New Testament Mission: A Missiological Inquiry

Abstract

This paper delves into the role and mission of the laity within the context of the Philippines, drawing insights from the New Testament’s perspective on mission. The research employs a missiological framework to investigate the extent to which the laity actively engages in and contributes to the mission of the Church in the Philippines. This study comprehensively analyzes the laity’s mission and its significance for the Philippine church context by examining biblical teachings, historical precedents, and contemporary practices. The findings of this research contribute to the scholarly discourse on missiology and provide practical insights for empowering the laity to effectively participate in the mission of the Church, thereby fostering holistic transformation and renewal within Filipino society. The missiological and theological aspects of the research will be used to interpret the Philippine Context of where we find the laity. This study follows the triple “R” steps: Reality, Reflection, and Response or the See, Judge, and Act steps of contextual research.  This research looks into the present situation or context of Filipino laity’s awareness and involvement in the Church’s mission in the Philippines. This context, which is a product of the study on the 500 years of Christianity, is interpreted and evaluated in the light of the Church’s teachings on mission. The present context of the missionary outreach of the Filipino laity in their missionary outreach in the light of the New Testament.  Lastly, a missionary praxis for the laity is here proposed.