Well, I am not very good at getting my "Meanings of Missional" series out on Monday. My new post is done, but I am waiting to get a couple of quotes confirmed. So, as soon as I hear back, I will post it... hopefully very soon. In the meantime... let me share about an upcoming project.

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I think it is a good thing to understand and engage popular culture and practical ministry. I talk a lot about biblical fidelity, cultural relevance, local church ministry, and leadership. And I try to write some things to help pastors and leaders. But, I also think it is a good thing to engage in scholarly discussion of the issues that undergird such conversations. As such, I am co-editing a forthcoming missiology book with David Hesselgrave.

It will be a missions "issues" book, looking at hot topics from multiple angles, and intended for people thinking through God's mission, missions, contextualization, and the future, In other words, it is an "issues" book to help students, pastors, and missiologists wrestle through important subjects.

The tentative title is Mission: God's Initiative in the World.

There are three grand essays and then people respond to each grand essay.

Mission: God's Initiative in the World

Co-editors:

• David Hesselgrave, Professor Emeritus of Mission, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

• Ed Stetzer, Missiologist in Residence, LifeWay Research

Essay 1: Mission Described and Defined

By Chuck Van Engen, Arthur F. Glasser Professor of Biblical Theology of Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary

Respondents:

• Keith Eitel, Dean of the School of Evangelism and Missions, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Enoch Wan, Professor of Intercultural Studies, Western Seminary

Essay 2: Issues in Contextualization

Paul Hiebert, Distinguished Professor of Mission and Anthropology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Respondents:

• Michael Pocock, Senior Professor of World Missions, Dallas Theological Seminary

• Darrell Whiteman, Vice President - Mission Education and Resident Missiologist, The Mission Society

Essay 3: The Future of Christian Mission

Ralph Winter, Founder and President, US Center for World Mission, Pasadena CA

Respondents:

• Christopher Little, Professor of Intercultural Studies, Columbia International University

• Scott Moreau, Professor of Intercultural Studies, Wheaton College

David and I will end each section responding to the essays / respondents and then adding a concluding chapter.

This was Paul Hiebert's final written contribution to missiology, so we are both honored and humbled that he is a part.