Anabaptist Missiology Revisited
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Anabaptist Missiology Revisited
Twenty-five years ago, a group of Anabaptist mission thinkers, administrators, and practitioners gathered at Techny Towers, north of Chicago, to reflect on issues related to the field of Anabaptist missiology. Papers presented explored key biblical and theological themes, ecclesiological implications of an Anabaptist approach to mission, anthropological insights appropriated by mission workers in the field, and leadership trends that had emerged in recent years. The group decided that these discussions were fruitful enough to warrant meeting again. This turned out to be the launching of the Association of Anabaptist Missiologists (AAM)âa network of interested, mostly North American scholars, church planters, professors, Bible translators, and other field workers who developed relationships, resourced each other, and stayed connected for the next fifteen years (2000â2015).
This issue of Anabaptist Witness is called âAnabaptist Missiology Revisited.â The reader will ârevisitâ missiology from an Anabaptist perspective in three ways. First, in the opening essay, the AAM story will be told from its origins, through its nineteen in-person gatherings, and on to its principal publications and other activities. In a second block of essays, the four papers presented at the initial AAM gathering in 2000 are brought together for the first time in a single published collection. They include Calvin E. Shenkâs reflections on âAnabaptist Missiology: Biblical Foundationsâ; then, Stan and Delores Friesenâs âAnabaptist Missiology: Anthropological Perspectivesâ; Lois Barrettâs âAnabaptist Missiology: Ecclesiological Considerationsâ; and, finally, Wilbert R. Shenkâs âAnabaptist Missiology: Leadership Trends.â Though formulated and presented two and a half decades ago, we contend that these essays still hold considerable interest and value for our lives today. We are thus inviting readers to revisit them with this in mind.
We all know, on the other hand, that much has changed in the past twenty-five years. Mennonite World Conference has increased in membership from an estimated 1.1 to 1.2 million in the year 2000 to a 2025 actual figure of 1.45 million members. Most of this growth has occurred in the Global South: in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As already noted, the presenters at the first AAM gathering were all North American. So, it is time to revisit the perspectives of the North American writers by inviting views from sisters and brothers from the global faith family. This will happen in essays following each of the original presentations, written by contemporary voices from various places around the world. Reflecting on Calvin Shenkâs article on biblical foundations, we will hear from Congolese American Nzash Lumeya. On the anthropological perspectives offered by Stan and Delores Friesen, we have the voice of Elisabeth Kunjam from India.
Responding to Lois Barrettâs ecclesiological considerations, we hear reflections from Ethiopian Ruth Gelane. And addressing Wilbert R. Shenkâs essay on leadership trends are the insights of Indonesian Andi Santoso.
Rounding out these rich reflections, readers will find two book reviewsâalso including global voicesâwith Hyung Jin (Pablo) Kim Sunâs challenge to Mennonites to become more inclusively and intentionally intercultural (reviewed by Quinn Brenneke), and Peter Sensenigâs clarion appeal for followers of Jesus to become good friends, guests, and hosts to Muslim neighbors (reviewed by Rebeka Moeljono).
James R. Krabill, Interim editor
