LEADERSHIP AND MISSION: PAPERS FROM THE 9TH CMS CONFERENCE

Written by Mark T. B. Laing (ed.) Reviewed By Elizabeth A. Clark

The Centre for Mission Studies, based at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune holds an annual consultation. This volume, edited by UBS lecturer in Missiology, is the fruit of the January 2003 consultation which considered issues relating to leadership and mission in an Indian context.

The 14 papers are arranged under three headings: Biblical and Theological Perspectives; Historical Perspectives; Contemporary Perspectives. Preceding each paper is an abstract and a brief note about its author. The participating teachers and practitioners, mostly but not entirely Indian, represent a broad spectrum of the Indian church and missions. Most papers are followed by a response, often in the form of a critique. This may add substantially to the value of the paper. The overall approach to mission is holistic.

This volume is a valuable resource for students engaged with the issues of mission and leadership within mission, especially in the Indian context. The longest section, Contemporary Perspectives, raises such pertinent questions as Western funding, describes the development of Indian missions and asks hard question about Indian leadership: the provision of opportunities for training and development for Mission in the 21st century. The consultation recognised the strategic importance of mission in India, home to four major religions and with a population greater than that of North America, Latin America and Australia combined.


Elizabeth A. Clark

Lesmahagow