Psychology and Missions: Reflections on Status and Need

Abstract

This article is the Editors’ introduction to the second Journal of Psychology and Theology special issue on Psychology and Missions. It proposes some reasons for the uneasy acceptance by conservatives of an adjunctive or supportive role in missions by psychology and the other behavioral sciences. The extant literature on Psychology and Missions is unified by an underlying assumption that mission endeavor and its personnel are important issues for psychology and other behavioral sciences. The contributions to the literature from the Journal of Psychology and Theology's first two special issues on Psychology and Missions suggest that the area is still very broad in its approach and focus. A concerted and coordinated direction of research is required in future studies.