About the Journal
Ecclesial Futures is a “Diamond Open Access” international juried journal, partnering with @RadboudUniPress and @openjournalsnl. The result for authors is free to publish articles, and for readers free to read articles. To keep up to date, subscribe by registering on the "Newsletter" button on the right of this page. We are also recognised and indexed on the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and the EBSCO Database.
The journal publishes original research and theological reflection on the development and transformation of local Christian communities and the systems that support them as they join in the mission of God in the world. We are an international and ecumenical journal with an inter-disciplinary understanding of our approach to theological research and reflection; the core disciplines being theology, missiology and ecclesiology. Other social science and theological disciplines may be helpful in supporting the holistic nature of any research. The journal fills an important reflective space between the academy and on-the-ground practice within the field of mission studies, ecclesiology and the so-called “missional church”.
Open Access and Copyright Policy
Ecclesial Futures provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. It is published under the terms of the Creative Commons 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). This license allows you to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work; to adapt the work and to make commercial use of the work provided attribution is made to the authors. This journal does not charge article processing fees. All authors of published articles retain their copyright and full publishing rights without restrictions.
Current Issue
Welcome a new issue of Ecclesial Futures and another fine set of original research contributions on development and transformation in and through Christian communities.
This issue of Ecclesial Futures offers seven original research articles and six book reviews. The articles range over four continents, including contexts in Oceania, Africa, United States and Europe.
The focus of ecclesiological research includes local congregations, dioceses as a denominational structure and theological colleges. The research articles include empirical studies of placemaking, denominational renewal, reverse mission and migrant hospitality, along with methodological reflections on researching in theological partnership, church mobilization and missiological research.
I offer my congratulations to the thirteen authors and six book reviewers published in this issue and my thanks to the fourteen anonymous peer reviewers who provided constructive, thoughtful and engaged feedback. Thanks also to my colleagues Nigel Rooms (co-editor), Patrick Todjeras (editor of book reviews), Chris Pipe (copy-editor) and the team at Radboud University Press and Open Journals for their skill and care.
Through Diamond Open Access, all the articles and reviews is available free to authors and reader. Do please pass the news onto your colleagues and students. Do please invite them to receive updates via the newsletter, sign up at https://ecclesialfutures.org/.
‒ Steve Taylor, Co-Editor, December 2023
