The upcoming IAMS Toronto Assembly (15 - 20 August 2012) will explore the profound missiological dimensions of human migration and dislocation, past, present and future. We shall attend especially to the many repercussions of widespread contemporary human movement for the theory and practice of Christian mission.

IAMS welcomes papers on mission and diverse aspects of human mobility from across the disciplines.

Update: 16 December 2011

Twenty-two members of the BISAM network have already indicated their wish to submit papers at the Toronto Conference. They hail from Ecuador, Argentina, USA (4), Nigeria (5), South Africa (2), Kenya, Denmark, Netherlands, Indonesia (4) and India (2).

Many of the 22 have already registered for Toronto and have sent in the title and an abstract of their proposed paper. Others are still “in process”! Cut-off date is the end of January. Do send titles and abstracts as soon as possible to Cathy Ross, the IAMS secretary, with a copy also to the BISAM Study Group Convener.

Regarding those who have requested a bursary to help with travel expenses, a decision will be made in February 2012 taking into account the quality of the applicant’s proposed paper and also whether they are paid up IAMS members!

In past Assemblies, each active study group has had four sessions for presenting and discussing papers.

Guidelines for writing paper: Papers are not to exceed 4,000 words, including notes. Writers will be expected to strictly adhere to the Style Guide for Mission Studies. Abstracts should be submitted before 1 July 2011.

http://missionstudies.org/index.php/journal/style-guide-for-mission-studies/

Process governing acceptance of paper: All proposals with abstracts will be carefully reviewed by the IAMS Executive Committee, who will finalize the Toronto programme at its 2012 January meeting. Writers will be notified of the committee’s decision before April 2012.

Address all correspondence to:

The Secretariat

International Association for Mission Studies

c/o Church Mission Society

Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1865 787400

Fax: +44 1865 776375

E-mail: secretary@missionstudies.org

As in previous years the Executive Committee will finalize the Toronto programme.

However, if you propose to present a paper on a biblical theme, then I would appreciate your informing me also.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

John Mansford Prior, svd,

BISAM Convener 2004-2012

johnotomo46@gmail.com