Thank you, Ralph W. Klein.

Billman, Kathleen D. ; Hendel, Kurt K. ; Swanson, Mark N. 等

For thirty-five years, without one cent of monetary compensation, Ralph W. Klein served as Editor in Chief of Currents in Theology and Mission, assisted by Peggy Blomenberg for the last eighteen of those years. In the December issue, Ralph expressed deep thanks to Peggy not only for the skill she brought to her work as Assistant Editor but for her faithfulness to this ministry. He also welcomed Ann Rezny, Peggy's successor, who has brought her own skill and dedication to producing the journal.

This issue marks the first issue of Currents without Ralph Klein at the helm as Editor in Chief. As we carry on the legacy of his commitment to the quality and usefulness of Currents for church leaders and academicians alike, we recall the words of colleague David Rhoads about Ralph's guidance of the journal:

  His work has been energetic and enthusiastic for the periodical that
  has done so much for the church and academy. He has produced issues
  on many themes critical to the life of the church and the world. He
  has offered issues on upcoming lectionary cycles for preachers. He
  has invited and welcomed articles from people of diverse faiths and
  different denominations. He has provided for articles that were
  seminal for the academic world. He has offered a venue for many
  faculty members of ELCA colleges and seminaries to share their work
  in print. He has included preaching aids and book reviews. (1)

Humbled by the size of the shoes to be filled and grateful for the ongoing sponsorship and partnership of our colleagues from Wartburg Theological Seminary and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary as well as from our own seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, we launch this first issue of Currents in Theology and Mission under the leadership of a new editorial team.

The June issue includes the two plenary lectures and the sermons of the 2008 Leadership Conference at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. The theme of that Conference was "Perfect Potential: Excellence in Ministry," and all the offerings of this issue address this theme.

(1.) David Rhoads, "Scholarship in the Service of the Church: Essays in Honor of Ralph Klein," Currents in Theology and Mission, 35:4 (August 2008): 242.

Kathleen D. Billman

Kurt K. Hendel

Mark N. Swanson

Editors