Voices of Missiology

Last March, I released a study on the least-reached places in the US. While it was good and right to publish it during that time, I had been chewing on another research project for much longer.

I let the cat out of the bag earlier today when I posted a behind-the-scenes pic of my conversation with Dr. Tom Steffen, professor emeritus of intercultural studies at Biola University.

“Voices of Missiology: Conversations with Senior U.S. Missiologists” is one of several projects I am working on at the moment.

This oral history is a collection of fun, informative, and challenging conversations with men and women who have been at the forefront of the discipline for the past several decades.

Without getting specific, here are the general criteria I used (delimitations for you nerdy scholars):

• U.S. missiologists

• Published significant books in the field

• Several years as a professor in the Academy

• Seniors (not calling anyone old…but gotta delimitate 😁)

The purpose of this project is to create a lasting record of how missiology and the missionary movement have evolved over the past several decades, according to a U.S. perspective. Through a series of recorded conversations, I hope I have captured not only important developments within the discipline, but also the personal stories, formative experiences, influential people, key debates, landmark publications, and institutional developments that have shaped contemporary missiology.

Each conversation explores three broad themes: the past, present, and future of mission. We discuss topics such as how the field looked when they entered it, individuals and ideas that most influenced their thinking, changes witnessed during their careers, and opportunities and challenges they believe lie ahead. Particular attention is given to lessons learned, unexpected developments, and reasons for hope regarding the future of God's mission in the world.

Now you know.

If Voices of Missiology is of interest to you, I encourage you to subscribe to my YT Channel. Do not miss a conversation. And please, consider passing this information along to others. I am honored when you do.

Stay tuned!