Ecclesial Futures

In 2026 our journal is expanding to three issues and I am pleased to present the first one here. Sometimes remarkable things happen even to journal editors! Without even trying an “informal” Special Issue from Africa emerged from recent submissions to the journal. Thus, all eight articles in this first Issue of 2026 are written by Africans, from West and South Africa, and taken together they represent wisdom, critical theological insight and challenge not only to and for Africa, but also for World Christianity. There is a breadth of contribution from Catholic, mainstream Protestant and Pentecostal traditions addressing a wide range of issues pertinent to the future of the local and universal Church in every place. Thus, we have critiques and theological reflection on “reverse mission”, African informal saving schemes, burial and cemetery practices, missionary passion and suffering, local, parish-based ecclesiology and mission, plus the importance of grounding all this in the Eucharist. The five book reviews also complement these perspectives with some important new works, mostly from the UK, being appreciated by their reviewers on a range relevant topics for our readers. 

Rev Canon Dr Nigel Rooms, Co-Editor