Go Forth

Overview

"Offers rich, challenging spiritual reading."--US Catholic

“I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.”—Pope Francis

In Evangelii Gaudium Pope Francis laid out a vision for the missionary reform of the church. Mission, in his view, is not just something extra that the church does on the frontiers. It is the church’s very life and reason for being. For that reason, all renewal and reform must be vitally related to the cause of mission—a challenge not just for Rome, but for all Christians.

Drawn from Francis’s speeches, homilies, and other writings, “Go Forth” makes it clear that the missionary reform of the church is the integrating theme of his papacy. Simply put, Pope Francis is a missionary pope who is calling the church to follow its true missionary calling.

"A valuable resource for students, practitioners, and scholars of mission, from whatever tradition."--Kirsteen Kim, Fuller Theological Seminary

"William Gregory's selection, organization, and thoughtful introduction and comments help us to see Francis as a truly missionary pope who calls the church to be a truly missionary church of hope, joy, accompaniment, and effective proclamation of the gospel."--Stephen B. Bevans, Catholic Theological Union

"[Provides] insight into the visionary missiology of Pople Francis and his unwavering commitment to advancing the Great Commission with mercy, joy, and courage!"--Margaret E. Guider, Boston College School of Theology and Mission

William P. Gregory is associate professor of religious studies at Clarke University, Dubuque, IA. A past president of the Association of Professors of Mission (APM), he serves on the board of Missiology.