In this episode of Missiology Shelf, we dive into the book Missional Life in Practice and Theory, edited by Chris Flanders and Greg McKinzie, a Festschrift honoring  missiologist Gailyn Van Rheenen. Chris and Greg reflect on their personal experiences with Van Rheenen, discuss his pioneering role as a "missionary theologian," and explore the essential connection between theory and practice in missional engagement. The conversation also highlights Van Rheenen's global influence, his innovative concepts like the missional helix, and the evolving landscape of missiology in today's context.

The Book

As the founding father of missiology.com, Gailyn Van Rheenen has left an indelible mark on the field, shaping it through his innovative ideas and deep commitment to God's mission. His work in mission theory and practice resonates strongly within Churches of Christ and across global communities. This Festschrift, a tribute to his enduring legacy, gathers the voices of colleagues and former students whose contributions were often born from the inaugural Gailyn Van Rheenen Sessions in Mission and World Christianity at the 2021 Christian Scholars' Conference. Organized to mirror the arc of his career—from the vast fields of Africa to the halls of academic missiology, and finally, to the church-planting efforts of Mission Alive—this volume captures a legacy where critical theory and practical wisdom intertwine seamlessly. 

Our Guests

Christopher Flanders is a Professor in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University (ACU), where he leads the online Master of Arts in Global Service program. Flanders began his missiological journey at ACU, earning a BA in Biblical Text, an MS in Missions, and an MDiv before embarking on a mission internship in Thailand. This transformative experience led him and his wife, Cara, to spend eight years in northern Thailand, where they planted churches and built strong, sustainable communities rooted in God’s mission. After returning to the United States in 2001, Flanders pursued a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2005, he joined ACU’s faculty, where he continues to explore the intersections of theology, mission, and culture. His research focuses on the theology and anthropology of honor, face, and shame, As an accomplished author, Flanders has edited and contributed to several influential works, including Honor, Shame, and the Gospel: Reframing Our Message for Twenty-First Century Ministry (2020); Devoted to Christ: Essays in Honor of Sherwood Lingenfelter (2019); and About Face: Rethinking Face for 21st Century Mission (2011). Originally from the Midwest, Flanders is an avid baseball fan and closely follows the University of Minnesota Gophers and ACU Wildcats sports teams. He also enjoys cooking, listening to jazz, and running.

​​​​​​​Greg McKinzie is a systematic theologian on the faculty at Abilene Christian University and an affiliate assistant professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. He holds a PhD in theology from Fuller Seminary, an MDiv from Harding School of Theology, and a BA in missions from Harding University. From 2008 to 2015, McKinzie served as a missionary in Arequipa, Peru, partnering in holistic evangelism with Team Arequipa and helping launch the Christian Urban Development Association. He is a significant voice in the Churches of Christ and has been the lead administrator of missiology.com and the executive editor of Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Praxis for 15 years. McKinzie is also the co-founder of the Missiology Podcast and coauthor of Discip​​​​​​​leship in Community: A Theological Vision for the Future (2020). His scholarly work has been published in Stone-Campbell Journal, Restoration Quarterly, Journal of Theological Interpretation, Catalyst, and Missio Alliance. Currently, he serves as the missions minister at Stones River Church in Murfreesboro, TN.

Credits

Hosted by Martin Rodriguez 

Produced by Martin Rodriguez