Jim Harries, (PhD University of Birmingham, UK) originally from UK, has lived in Siaya, western Kenya, since 1993 (previously, since 1988, in NW Province of Zambia). Jim is the chairman of the AVM (Alliance for Vulnerable Mission); he encourages people to do mission and development work using indigenous languages and resources. Jim believes that context is important to scholarship. Hence he communicates important contextual impacts on understanding arising from contemporary Africa. His primary work, in addition to research and writing, is bible teaching using African languages (Luo and Swahili) especially with indigenous churches. Jim is adjunct faculty at William Carey International University in California.

Jim is particularly occupied in promoting vulnerable mission (vulnerablemission.org)

Alliance for Vulnerable Mission Purpose Statement

Vulnerable mission aims to encourage cross-cultural workers to follow the humble example of Jesus, who demonstrated His vulnerability in part by living like the Jews of His time and place. Examples of humble vulnerability include but are not limited to carrying out ministry in culturally appropriate ways, refusing a high-status position, learning a local language, and avoiding the use of imported resources in favor of local ones.

Introduction to AVM (Alliance for Vulnerable Mission)

The AVM (Alliance for Vulnerable Mission) seeks to encourage wider use of mission and development strategies that depend on locally available resources and local languages. These strategies are “vulnerable” in the sense that they do not have fringe benefits built into them, deliberately or otherwise. They will therefore fail unless or until there is strong local confidence in their spiritual or developmental value. The missionary or development worker will allow them to fail rather than prop them up with outside money.

“Vulnerable mission” may be seen as part of the movement toward contextualization of the Gospel of Jesus, which we regard as the theory of many and the practice of few. We would like to see more people take the risks of contextualization and vulnerability in order to reap the rewards that only come to those who value local resources and invest in local languages. If local tools seem slow or weak by comparison with foreign money and English (Spanish etc. – European language), then we say with a wise missionary of long ago, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10) While vulnerable mission may not be the only biblical approach to mission, it deserves much more attention than it has been getting. Let’s talk.

Safeguarding Statement

I believe that all people are valuable and worthy of both respect and care, because they are made in the image of God. I believe that God is the defender of the vulnerable and that the Lord Jesus cares for and values all children.

I believe I have a responsibility, before God, to care for children and vulnerable adults I come across and to protect them from harm. I recognise that this harm may be intentional or unintentional, may come from a parent, another adult or child, or even from the child’s own actions.

This safeguarding policy is designed to reduce the risk of harm to children and vulnerable people with whom I come into contact.

We expect every individual to be treated with dignity, care and respect. All should earnestly strive to protect vulnerable people from harm and seriously address concerns and safety issues, which may include physical harm, sexual harm, emotional harm, self-harm and neglect.

Any concerns: please contact safeguarding@jim-mission.org.uk

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Anthropology
• Languages and Linguistics
• Linguistics
• Theology
• Postcolonial Studies
• Church History
• Development
• Christianity
• Magic
• Missiology
• African American Culture
• Kenya
• Theological Education
• Swahili
• Zambia
• Swahili (Languages And Linguistics)
• Post Modernism
• Kiswahili
• African Independent Churches
• language learning and teaching, Kiswahili and English linguistics
• African Indigenous Churches
• Luo orthography
• Marxism
• Development Theories And Policies
• Imperialism
• World System
• Dependency Theory
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies
• Religion
• Leadership
• Anthropology of Religion/ Theories of Conversion/ Religious Pluralism In Modern Africa/ Social Sciences and Missions Studies/ Photography and Anthropology/ Anthropology of Health/ Health, Medicine & Religions/ Alternative Movements.
• Swahili Language and Bantu languages
• Vulnerable Mission
• Conceptual Metaphor
• Cultural linguistics
• Tanzania
• COVID-19 PANDEMIC

more

AFFILIATIONS

University of Birmingham, Department of Theology & Religion, Alumnus

William Carey International University, Intercultural Studies, Adjunct