(4/9/07) The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) organizes a consultation on mission theology in early 2009. Almost one hundred years after the World Mission Conference in Edinburgh, the UEM wants to bring together mission theologians and practitioners from all UEM member churches to consider the theological challenges of mission today. Through exchange and dialogue, the UEM hopes to enrich and question each other so that the focus on mission in the respective contexts will be sharpened.
 

For this consultation, the UEM invites academic papers as well as narrative reports or literary works (short stories, poems) relating to the following list of topics: 
 

A. Theological foundations of mission

1. Biblical, theological, historical foundations of mission
   Examples: What kind of role does the Holy Spirit have in the mission of our churches? The priesthood of all believers and specialized mission
2. Concepts of mission in publications of organizations and churches
   Examples: CWME, WCC, Catholics, CharismaticsCritical and self-critical evaluations
3. Understanding of mission in the UEM member churches today
   Examples: Is there a difference between academic mission theology and mission practice at the grassroots? The understanding of mission, dialogue and pro-existence in different UEM member churches

B. Mission administration and partnership: Experiences, challenges and new perspectives

1. New forms of missionary engagement, mission administration and partnership
   Examples: The reverse mission of migrant churches in the North             Experiences from South-South exchanges
2. New forms of mission administration
   Examples: Theological evaluation of the UEM structure
   The local congregation and mission
3. Consideration of new forms of practice of partnership in mission Examples: Theological evaluation of the practices of signing and terminating contracts and agreements
   Experiences from church partnerships

C. Theological and missiological challenges for formation and training

1. Mission spirituality
   Examples: Incarnational spirituality versus “spiritual warfare”
   Mission and prayer
2. The challenges from the Pentecostal / charismatic movement
   Examples: Can “fullness of life” replace “sin and salvation” as a theological paradigm?
   The promise of healing in evangelism
3. The role and contribution of theological education to mission
   Examples: The relationship between charismatic giftedness and professional training in missionConcepts for lay training in mission

D. Forms and methods of mission in the pluralistic contexts of the present globalized world

(For the topics listed below, case studies may be a particularly appropriate form.)

1. Ecclesiology and mission
   Examples: What is the role of the local congregation in mission?
   Congregations as healing communities
2. Christology in the light of other faiths
   Examples: Q’uranic interpretations of Jesus and a Christian response to them“Jesus alone” or “Many ways lead to God?”
3. Mission and church unity
   Examples: The impact of Korean mission efforts in Africa and Asia
   Cooperation in mission between churches of different traditions? 

E. Transversal themes in mission

(We have called these themes “transversals” as they play a role in all four topic areas we have identified. Papers submitted should take these transversals into account.)

1. Mission and power
2. Wealth and poverty in mission
3. Theological foundation for working for human rights, justice, peace and the integrity of creation
4. Mission in the time of HIV/AIDS
5. Gender and mission
6. Health and healing
7. Disaster, reconstruction and mission  

For academic papers and narrative reports, a proposal which names the topic and gives an abstract of 300-500 words must be sent to gospel(at)vemission.org by 30th January 2008.

All proposals will be reviewed by the Steering Committee for the consultation. If
the concept is accepted, the author will be informed by 30th March 2008. Finished papers must adhere to a style guide sent to the author, and be submitted by December 30th, 2008. Papers are not to exceed 6,000 words, including notes. 

Short stories (not exceeding 2,500 words) and poems must be submitted to gospel(at)vemission.org by August 30, 2008, and will also be reviewed by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee consists of the following persons:

Jutta Beldermann (UEM German Regional Coordinator), Robinson Butarbutar (UEM Asia Regional Coordinator), Erme Camba (United Church of Christ in the Philippines), Priscille Djomhoué (Eglise Evangelique du Cameroun), Christian Hohmann (Evangelical Church of Westphalia), Aneth Munga (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania), Fidon Mwombeki (UEM General Secretary), Henning Wrogemann (Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal), Claudia Waehrisch-Oblau (UEM Evangelism Secretary).