Progressivism and the mission field: Church of the Brethren women missionaries in Shanxi, China, 1908--1951

This thesis examines the attitudes and activities of Church of the Brethren women missionaries in Shanxi, China, between 1908 and 1951, focusing on evangelism, "woman's work" programs, education, and relief work. This thesis presents the mission field as an expression of changing gender roles in the Church of the Brethren. In sum, Brethren women missionaries in Shanxi embodied both conservative and progressive ideologies and ultimately moved in a progressive direction, seeking growth, flexibility, and accommodation in their mission endeavor. The expansion of the Church of the Brethren mission field and the denomination's geographic and cultural boundaries has implications for the evolution and continued existence of distinctive faith communities in the United States.