March 2008
IN THIS ISSUE...Addressing the Westernization of the Gospel...and Other Issues of Global Interest

PUBLISHER'S MEMO:

Stepping Outside the Westernization of the Gospel

By Lon Allison
The Church is greatly in need of evangelists, missionaries, pastors, and theologians from non-Western cultures to carefully read and interpret scripture and life from their worldview. Read >>

THEMED ARTICLES:

Escaping from the Prison of a Westernized Gospel

By Knud Jørgensen
Christians in all cultures and nations have an equal right to produce their interpretation of the Christian faith. This implies a need for self-theologizing. Read >>

Facing the Empire: Trends in Ministry Formation

By Ron Fraser
Ministry formation in Jesus' time, in the Constantinian world, and today. Read >>

Imitation in Cross-Cultural Mission: Discussions in an African Context

By Jim Harries
There is a desperate need for Western missionaries who can be accurately persuaded to be vulnerable enough to imitate African people, so as to acquire something of their presuppositional foundation, and in turn, be able to present the true gospel. Read >>

A Critical Evaluation of the Westernization of the Gospel

By Daniel Kim
De-westernization of the gospel requires time, critical dialogue with nationals, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Read >>

PERSPECTIVES:

The Productivity Myth

By John Edmiston
The truly effective and productive missionary is not the one with the largest organization, but the one whose precious and godly work of love survives into eternity. Read >>

Missions with Spanish and Portuguese Accents

By Grant McClung
A comparison of the Ibero-American missions enterprise between 1987 and 2008 reflects great progress. Read >>

Together as One: Reconciliation in Serving In Mission

SIM USA offically apologizes for the past practice of not welcoming African American missionary candidates. Read >>

URBAN COMMUNITIES:

Introduction: Ministry with the Urban Poor in Nordic Climates

By Glenn Smith
In Nordic cultures all over the Northern Hemisphere there are urban poor living in substandard situations facing harsh climatic conditions. Read >>

Hochma: A Different Way to Plant a Church with the Urban Poor

By Michel and Lyne Monnette
Establishing a community rooted in discipleship and integral mission oriented to the re-establishment of human dignity for the most marginalized. Read >>

Urban Youth Adventures: Winnipeg’s North End

By Cornelius Buller
Investing in the lives of youths in the poor neighborhoods of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Read >>

RESEARCH:

Doing Strategy as the Whole Church

By Sandra S. K. Lee
Children, women, fragmentation, and glocalization need to be addressed concerning the whole Body of Christ. Read >>

The Unreached Clusters of Southeast Asia

By Justin Long
Southeast Asia is made up of ninety-two people group clusters, totaling roughly 567 million people. Read >>

LAUSANNE REPORTS:

Theological Trends in Africa: Implications for Missions and Evangelism

By Gideon Para-Mallam
An outline of both negative and positive trends in the African Church. Read >>