Converting Witness: The Future of Christian Mission in the New Millennium

Building on the work and legacy of Darrell L. Guder, Converting Witness: The Future of Christian Mission in the New Millennium, explores key questions and new possibilities in missiology in light of the world Christian context. The conversation around missional theology and the missional church has examined the gap between theology and mission with the intent of fostering renewal within North American Christianity. But this can only fully occur in relation to the reality of world Christianities and the framing significance of global cultural diversity. Many of the classic categories and methods—such as church planting, catholicity, and even the term “world Christianity” itself—are in need of fresh examination and thoughtful analysis. The contributors to this volume address a range of important missiological topics, including globalization, interfaith dialogue, integral mission, intercultural hermeneutics, and church practices.

Table of Contents:
1. Darrell L. Guder: A Life of Continuing Conversion David W. Congdon and John G. Flett 2. Catholicity: A Missional Mark of the Church Stephen Bevans, SVD 3. The Sending of the Whole Christian Church: Reflections after Karl Barth Eberhard Busch 4. European Christianity Put to the Test: Observations Concerning the Use of the Term “Christendom” in the Study of World Christianity Christine Lienemann-Perrin 5. From Praxis to Reflection: The Development of Integral Mission in Latin America Samuel Escobar 6. Gospel and Culture Conversations about Biblical Interpretation James Brownson 7. Demythologizing as an Intercultural Hermeneutic David W. Congdon 8. For the Fitness of Their Witness: Missional Christian Practices Benjamin T. Conner 9. Missional Ecclesiology: Proposing Some Friendly Kuyperian Amendments Richard J. Mouw 10. Church Spawning: Reimagining New Church Development George R. Hunsberger 11. Revisiting Newbigin's Ambivalence toward Interreligi

About the Author :
John G. Flett is associate professor of missiology and intercultural theology at Pilgrim Theological College. David W. Congdon is acquisitions editor at the University Press of Kansas and adjunct instructor at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

Review :
Not only are the breadth and depth of Darrell Guder’s theological and missiological work over the last half century on display through the essays collected in this book, but his ideas are celebrated in the way any leading scholar would be honored by: through critical retrievals and constructive reappropriations intervening in important contemporary conversations. That the future of the theological and missiological endeavors will be even more closely intertwined than ever will be a part of Guder’s legacy, which is solidified and extended through this volume. Darrell Guder introduced me to the field of missiology in his own gracious, humble way. His work, especially on missional ecclesiology, has influenced my own thoughts and inspires my students. In addition, with all the warmth of his personality he helped me find my bearings in a discipline that was relatively new to me, and he introduced me to some brilliant students of his, both as colleagues and as PhD candidates. In short, as a brother and as a colleague, Darrell has been extremely important to me. This volume is a great tribute to the width of his theological scopus, his love for the church (and, of course, Karl Barth!), and his passion for Christian witness to a secularizing culture. I pray that God will bless it to carry Darrell's missiological heritage further into this exciting century we are living in. Back in the day, missiology was focused on the work of missionaries overseas. Now, largely due to the theological groundwork of Darrell Guder, it is as likely to be about the local church...In paying tribute to Guder's work, this book has become a valuable introduction to contemporary missiology as a whole.