About the Journal

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will act as a place for reporting research and discussing issues related to contemporary ministry, including related theological and biblical questions.

Its goals are to:                

  • Stimulate informed discussion regarding issues faced by contemporary Christian churches and ministries worldwide.
  • Encourage research, including empirical research, into diverse forms and contexts of contemporary ministry and the practical, theological and biblical issues that arise from ministry practice.
  • Enable students and graduates in postgraduate Ministry programs to speak to a wider audience.
  • Build the credibility of Ministry as a field of study and research.

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will provide a specific forum for post-graduate students in accredited colleges and universities in Australia and other countries, to publish the results of their research.

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will contain these kinds of material:

  • Scholarly articles on topics related to contemporary ministry. These are subject to “double blind” peer review by two relevant scholars. Usually 4 of these will be included in any issue of the journal.
  • Book reviews on recently-published books in the field of contemporary ministry. These will be subject to review by the book review editor.
  • Student essays from post-graduate students in accredited colleges and universities in Australia and other countries (generally only one of these will be published in any issue, subject to the editor’s discretion).
  • Pastoral reflections of a thoughtful, informed nature about issues related to contemporary ministry grounded in the pastor’s or minister’s own experience (generally only one of these will be published in any issue).
  • Research notes on current research projects in the field.
  • Short summaries of recent doctoral theses in the field of contemporary ministry.

 The material we invite covers such topics as:

  • Results of empirical research into aspects of contemporary Christian ministry, e.g. youth ministry, children’s ministry, pastoral counselling, pastoral leadership, intercultural ministry.
  • Theological and biblical reflection on issues that have arisen from the practices of contemporary Christian churches and ministries, e.g. manifestations of the Spirit, worship styles, leadership culture, interfaith matters, political and social engagement, etc.
  • Underlying theological questions that lie behind Christian ministry issues, e.g. the role of women’s ministry in local churches, ethnic identity, ordination, apostleship.
  • Proposals for new expressions or forms of Christian ministry based on social analysis, e.g. how to reach specific sub-cultures.

Peer Review Process

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will feature a 'double blind' peer review of all major articles. Comments may be posted to articles.

Publication Frequency

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will start as an annual publication and develop as the number of submissions dictates. Each issue will be discrete, ie: material will not be added to an existing issue.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Editorial Board

The Editorial Board of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry is comprised of:

  • Rev Dr Peter Carblis - Adjunct lecturer for University of Newcastle; former principal Tabor NSW, Australia.

  • Rev Prof Mark J. Cartledge - Principal and Professor of Practical Theology, London School of Theology, UK; leading practical theologian and author in this field; Anglican priest.

  • Rev Dr Angelo Cettolin - Dean of Faculty, Eastern College Australia, Senior Lecturer Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College, Ordained Minister Australian Christian Churches, co-lead pastor Reach 21 Church, Port Melbourne.

  • Rev Prof Darren Cronshaw - Head of Research and Professor of Missional Leadership, Australian College of Ministries (Sydney College of Divinity); Pastor, AuburnLife Baptist Church; and Chaplain, Australian Army.

  • Dr Trudy Dantis - Director, National Centre for Pastoral Research, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference; CRA Board member and Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity.

  • Dr Bob Dixon - Foundation Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Pastoral Research Office, Honorary Professor of Australian Catholic University 2010-2020, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity, Member CRA Board 1992-2018.

  • Dr Albert Haddad - Associate Dean Higher Education Development, Victorian Institute of Technology

  • Assoc Professor Dr Graham Joseph Hill – Principal, Director of Research, and Assoc. Professor of Global Christianity at Stirling Theological College (University of Divinity)

  • Professor Philip Hughes - CRA board representative; Chair of Ethics Committee, Alphacrucis College.

  • Dr David Jakobsen - Assistant Professor at Aalborg University working on a postdoctoral project on The Primacy of Tense: A.N. Prior then and now, as part of research in the history and metaphysics of time and tense logic.

  • Rev Prof Julie Ma – Associate Professor, Missions and Intercultural Studies, Oral Roberts University, USA.

  • Rev Dr Cheryl McCallum – Former Principal, Eastern College Australia, Australia.

  • Rev Dr Daryl Potts - Program Director and Lecturer in Practical Theology, Alphacrucis College

  • Rev. Assoc. Professor Frank Rees - Chair of the Academic Board, University of Divinity, Honorary Research Scholar, University of Divinity.

  • Professor Andrew Singleton- Professor of Sociology and Social Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong.

  • Dr Juhani Tuovinen – Adjunct Professor of Education, Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, Perth.

  • Dr Amos Yong - Professor of Missiology & dean of the School of Mission & Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary

Editorial Team

The Editorial Team of the Journal of Contemporary MInistry is comprised of:

  • Associate Professor Jon Newton, Editor

  • Ashley Manly, Manager

  • Dr Stephen Parker, Book Review Editor

  • Professor Philip Hughes, Research Notes Editor and CRA representative to the Editorial Board

  • Stephen Reid, CRA

Indexed In

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry is indexed in Informit's Humanities & Social Sciences Collection database.

Journal History

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry was established under the oversight of Harvest Bible College in 2014 and published 4 issues in 2015-2018 as an online open access journal.

Ownership of the journal has now been transferred (2020-) to the Christian Research Association (CRA). The editorial board and editorial team have been reconstituted.