Southeast Region

The church is the Body of Christ in the world. It is the embodiment of the gospel and commissioned to reproduce itself among all nations. Its expression is diverse and continually evolving as it interfaces with the changing world it is sent into. The church came into being as the community of Jesus’ witnesses who were commanded to go out to their neighbors, towns, cities, and the ends of the earth. It is dynamic, creative, reproducing, and courageous as its members seek to nurture life in locally reproducing ways, wherever they find themselves. 

The church is a mission community dedicated to proclaiming and teaching God’s word. It cares for and extends God’s family. Demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit, the church brings God’s light to dark places, being a relevant societal example of holy living. It pursues God’s concerns for the world it inhabits and the communities its members are a part of. The church honors God as it affirms and encourages the diversity of all he has created. However, churches also often become institutions which struggle to retain their life-giving mission orientation.

Papers are invited on any aspect of ecclesiology and mission. Topics include but are not limited to:

• Theological explorations of mission and the church
• The church’s specific role in mission
• Any aspect of church planting
• Models of church as they relate to mission
• How the church mobilizes for mission
• Church and parachurch roles in training for mission
• Issues relating to churches in mission contexts
• Diaspora churches
• Intergenerational church planting
• Church planting and evangelism in the context of violence
• The role of community in the church’s mission
• The role of the sacraments in mission
• The role of Bible translation in church planting

Submitting a Paper for this Year’s Regional Meeting:

To submit a presentation proposal, please send the paper’s title and a 200-300 word abstract to Anna Daub at adaub@sebts.edu by January 20, 2025. You will be notified via email whether or not your paper has been selected for the conference. Final papers accepted to be presented during the regional meeting must be 4500-7000 words and use Chicago Turabian author-date citation. 

Please remember that proposals must be submitted to the regional meeting to be considered for the annual meeting in the Spring.