Edinburgh 1910 to 2010: Centenary assessment and mission renewal

This article recalls the influential World Missionary Conference held at Edinburgh in 1910 and offers analysis of the exciting process which is underway to mark the centenary. As emblem of the modern missionary movement, birthplace of the ecumenical movement and harbinger of anew era in world Christianity, Edinburgh 1910 has proved to be a defining event in Christian history. After 100 years its shortcomings and blindspots are clearly visible yet there is abundant evidence to vindicate its fundamental conviction: that the good news of Jesus Christ can take root in every culture across the world and produce fruit in church and society everywhere. The centenary, like the original event, is being marked by both a study process and an event in Edinburgh. The entire effort aims to be polycentric, worldwide and inclusive, making full use of contemporary technology and communication media. The study process is already yielding insights which may be vital to the renewal of Christian mission for the twenty-first century.