Migration and Diaspora in the History of Global Christianity

移民、散居和不断变化的宗教地理之间的密切联系在当前的政治辩论、社会科学和历史研究中得到了关注。事实上，移民和散居是基督教作为世界宗教的动力的关键因素，无论是在历史上还是在我们当今时代。该项目旨在分析全球教会历史早期移民和散居的重要性，并讨论他们对世界基督教“多中心”历史概念化的作用。为了实现这一目标，在此提出了一个双重项目。1)个案研究将集中在移民之间的联系，宗教和教派的变化，并在20世纪世纪初在南部非洲教会独立。2)此外，会议及其程序将反映移民和散居教会历史作为一门学科的历时相关性。

The close connection between migration, diaspora, and a constantly changing religious geography has gained attention in current political debates, as well as in social sciences and in historical research. In fact, migration and diaspora are crucial factors in the dynamic of Christianity as a world religion, both historically and in our present time. This project aims to analyze the importance of migration and diaspora during earlier periods of global Church history and to discuss their role for the conceptualization of a ‘polycentric’ history of World Christianity. In order to achieve this goal, a twofold project is herewith proposed. 1) A case study will focus on the connection between migration, religious and confessional change, and church independency in southern Africa at the beginning of 20th century. 2) In addition, a conference and its proceedings will reflect on the diachronic relevance of migration and diaspora for Church History as an academic discipline.