Issue 6 Editors: Rob Hay, Jonathan Ingleby and Kees van der Wilden
It seems appropriate that we write this introduction as we wake up to discover the French people in their referendum have said no to the EU Constitution. Other countries were expected to say no too, although many countries expected a close result, and all are wrestling with what it means to be part of Europe.
It seems appropriate because, responding to a number of requests from colleagues across Europe, we are asking the question: Should Encounters become a space for European missiological reflection?
We have articles by two of Europe’s leading missiological researchers Ruth Robinson and Darrell Jackson, highlighting issues that are confronting Europe, its constituent countries and specifically its churches and missions – things like secularism, immigration and multiculturalism.
We also have an article from Jonathan Ingleby exploring the historical voice (or indeed silence) of Europe in mission and finally an Editorial on the idea of a European Encounters. Together we ask with a large question mark: Europe – A Unique and Unified Voice in Global Mission?
Editorial: Europe: A Unique and Unified Voice in Global Mission?
(Rob Hay, 1093 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 1: Mega-trends Europe: 1999-2004.
(Ruth Robinson, 4962 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 2: Beyond the Preamble: Searching for God in a secularising Europe.
(Rev Darrell Jackson, 2864 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 3: Europe, Britain and America: Extracting a European voice from the historical debate about mission.
(Dr Jonathan Ingleby, 1655 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Encounters Mission Journal 