Editor’s notes

A colleague of mine, Allen Yeh, recently published a book entitled Polycentric Missiology (2016, Inter-Varsity Press). This issue of the American Society of Missiology’s official journal is illustrative of this phenomenon. It includes, among others, mission in Boston, in Myanmar and in China. It explores Korean missionaries in the United States, and, interestingly, Africans engaging the Chinese diaspora in Africa.

Starting with the last mentioned, Wenhui Gong and Kenneth Nehrbass discuss barriers and bridges to reaching out the Chinese diaspora in east Africa. Then, James Harry Morris explores the earliest Christian communities in East Asia during and prior to the Táng Period. In another historical contribution, David Thang Moe reflects on the missiological contribution of Adoniram Judson. Thereafter, Bob Mitchell discusses the ambiguous role of church partnership in World Vision’s development practice. Moving the conversation to the East Coast of the United States, Alex R. Mayfield presents an ethnographic survey of transnational Pentecostal communities in Boston. Laura A. Chevalier, then, brings us Mission and spirituality: Ecumenical convergence and creative tensions in a new millennium. Following this, Michael Niebauerdiscusses communication ethics and the problem of persuasion in mission. Finally, Rebecca Kim explores why missionaries are in America.

As I looked back over this list of articles, I noticed that all but one had been returned to the author for substantial revisions. Two had been returned twice. I mention this phenomenon for a couple of reasons. One is to encourage authors to persevere. The other is to explain why it sometimes takes many months for an article submitted to Missiology to appear in print. Our reviewers work very hard to ensure the quality of the articles we publish, even if they need to review an article multiple times. Also, I do my best to send articles to those best suited to review them, from both an academic and a confessional standpoint. With regard to the latter, I like to find a reviewer from the author’s own confessional “stream,” as well as one from a different “stream.” Needless to say, given the number of reviewers in Missiology’s stable and their busy schedules (to say nothing of them volunteering their time), it’s often difficult to get articles reviewed as expeditiously as we’d like. At the same time, I must add, it’s a great privilege to be involved in this worthwhile endeavor.

Thank you for reading our journal. We pray you find this issue stimulating and of practical value.

Richard L. Starcher Editor