COURSE LEARNING PACKETS Document Code FM-STL-014

Saint Louis University Revision No. 01

School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts Effectivity June 07, 2021
Page 1 of 1

Lesson 1. From Ecclesio-centric to Theocentric Understanding of Mission

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. describe what the ecclesio-centric view of the mission is;

2. describe what the theocentric view of the mission is;
3. enumerate the distinctions between the two;
4. discuss the need for shifting from ecclesio-centric to theocentric
understanding; and
5. cite missionary practices showing the theocentric notion of mission.

CONTEXT
You are undoubtedly familiar with the word “mission” because it has become part
of everyday speech. You might have heard this word being used in a religious context if
you are a Christian because it belongs mainly to the Christian vocabulary. To some
extent, however, the word is also used by religious traditions other than Christianity. The
word can have different meanings for different people. The meaning may also vary
depending on the context in which the word is used. The following questions are only
meant to be pondered.
1. List and explain several meanings of the word “mission” according to the context
in which it is used.
2. In your list above, which one is the most common meaning? Why?

The term mission can be understood in different ways and applied in

different contexts. In a religious sense, it may also be rich in definitions
respective of the religious traditions that use the term. In the succeeding texts
mission is presented in lieu of how it is understood and valued in Catholic
circles.