When we carry out a work or project, setting a clear goal is crucial for a success of the vocation. A goal means a task, target, or place to go or to achieve, and in this sense, a project whose goal is not clear enough cannot be achieved successfully. Since mission is also a ministry of a religion, making a clear goal is important for its success. However, in Christian mission the goal of mission is understood in various ways. While in the traditional view the understanding of mission’s goal is rather simple and clear, recent view is rather inclusive and complicated. In particular, the ecumenical view of the goal is quite different from that of the traditional view. So this article investigated the goal of mission in ecumenical view with a desire to provide a foundation for making a desirable purpose of mission today when the Christianity is in a deep crisis. For this purpose this article studied some major goals of ecumenical missiology such as humanization, JPIC, unity and reconciliation. As a result of this investigation this paper suggested some major characteristics of ecumenical goal of mission: broad inclusiveness, deep concern on the transformation of the world, high possibility of change, and removing priority. These kinds of characteristics have various strengths and advantages in serving and transforming the world, and in making suitable goals which fit the felt needs of the changing world. In other words, the ecumenical goals are effective in serving the world. However, the ecumenical goals have some limitations as well. The goals of the ecumenical wing are so broad and inclusive that the energy would be divided into many directions. Some goals are agendas of the world which seek welfare of the world, so these goals are helpful for the development of the world but not much for growth of the church, a major goal of mission. If ecumenical goals are compensated in these areas, the goals would be much more effective for the Kingdom of God.

• 안승오(영남신학대학교, 선교신학) | SeungOh An