Premier Issue: Editorial

November 2005

After a major event in America, the media frequently speculates about the ideas bantered about at the ubiquitous “water cooler.” Seems that the water cooler is a cool place to gather if you have something on your mind that you want to share with colleagues.

That’s the idea behind the Junxion: a gathering place to discuss ideas about theology and ministry. More officially, Junxion is an e-journal where we attempt to bring rigorous theological reflection together with hands-on practical ministry. In each issue, we will provide articles, insights, and resources from the Wesley faculty as well as leaders, thinkers, and pastors from outside our walls who can help this intersection take place.

Christ has called us as scholars, teachers, leaders, pastors, missionaries, evangelists, or lay leaders in the Church to love God with all of our hearts, minds, and soul. This compels us to think very clearly and deeply about the task to which we are called and then to passionately engage in that task.

We want the Junxion to serve you who are in pastoral leadership and Christian ministry with stimulating ideas about theology as it intersects ministry. Is theology relevant for today’s ministry? What is important to know and think about? How do we interact with a postmodern world? How do we defend the “faith once delivered” with grace and respect? These questions hint at the nature of dialogue that we hope to engender at the Junxion.

Each issue of Junxion will correspond to the appropriate season in the Christian Calendar. Themes will be taken from the major seasons and events of the Church’s life: Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and so on. Special days such as Trinity Sunday and Resurrection Sunday will also be given brief attention.

Your insights and feedback will be extremely valuable in helping us make this new ministry of WBS a meaningful resource for today’s busy ministers. So, feel free to be in touch. We are just an email or phone call away. You will see the contact information at the footer of the main page. I am very grateful to Bryan, John, and Sean in the WBS Online Department for the vision and expertise to construct and manage the Junxion. Theirs is the task of gathering essays from WBS faculty members and others.

Blessings in your ministry. I am very happy that you have chosen to gather around our “water cooler.” Thanks for taking a brief break to drink and visit a moment! I trust the Junxion inspires you.

Ray
Dr. Ray Easley, Ed. D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs