From the editors.

Billman, Kathleen D. ; Giere, S.D. ; Nessan, Craig L. 等

Dear Currents Subscriber:

For several months the editorial team of Currents in Theology and Mission has been discussing an exciting new possibility related to the future of Currents. We have come to the decision that the time is right for Currents to become a fully online, open access journal. While this means that beginning in 2016 Currents no longer will appear as a printed journal, it also offers many advantages. The journal will become free of charge for our loyal subscribers, while at the same time opening up the contents of our established publication to a whole new world of readers across the globe. Moreover, this new mode of delivery makes the production of Currents financially sustainable in an unprecedented way. We send you this letter because we want to give our readers ample notice of the change that will take place a year from now.

We especially thank you, our loyal readers over the years, for subscribing to Currents and ask your continued support and readership as we move to our new format in 2016. We pledge to you our continued commitment to deliver a quality theological journal in support of the ministry and mission of the church as it responds to the ever-changing signs of the times. This new opportunity expands the outreach of Currents in Theology and Mission in exciting ways. Open access means that anyone, anywhere in the world, will be able to become readers and students of our journal.

We will continue to publish Currents in its print format through 2015, in order to give our readers ample time to be informed about how to access the journal in the future and to honor subscriptions already purchased. We gladly will accept one-year subscriptions for 2015, but urge our readers not to extend their subscriptions beyond 2015. If there is any money to be refunded, we certainly will do this upon request, even while allowing readers the opportunity to contribute any remaining amount to support the future of Currents.

Starting in 2016 we will publish the journal quarterly (four issues per year) in January, April, July, and October. The Currents staff, including Barbara Lundblad, the new editor of Preaching Helps, is working to ensure that the lectionary-based preaching commentaries (together with the other articles on timely issues facing the church) will appear well in advance of when readers may desire to use these particular resources. During 2015 we will begin to shift into this new schedule by publishing five issues in 2015 before moving to four issues per year in 2016.

In future issues we will provide readers ample information about how to easily access Currents in its new online format. In the meantime, we look forward to your continued readership and support as we move into the future together.

Kathleen D. Billman, S.D. Giere, Craig L. Nessan