As we complete another volume of the Christian Education Journal, I am so grateful that God continues to sustain our work here. I am also sincerely thankful for the scholarly community that had the vision to create this publication nearly a halfcentury ago, and which continues to provide a home for it.At the annual gathering of this community this past fall, we approved an organizational name change. We are now the SPCM-Society of Professors in Christian *Ministry (formerly *Education). I'm grateful to the board of directors for their careful consideration and leadership in making this change, which I commend and welcome.I will not rehearse the rationale of the SPCM board or my own for the wisdom in moving from CE to CM. I will categorically emphasize two important clarifications regarding this name change though: (1) the purpose and mission of the SPCM as an organization and community remains consistent and steadfast; (2) the name of the CEJ will remain the same, signaling that our organization and our journal are, as ever, committed to "Christian education." Corresponding to these clarifications, in the sections below I share my perspective on the essence and aims of the SPCM as an organization, followed by a survey exercise in defining "Christian education" in the context of our field of study.
An Organization for the Church's Teaching MinistryAlthough our name has been amended, the purpose and mission of the SPCM has not changed. Since our earliest meetings beginning in 1951 (we were incorporated in 1971), we have been squarely focused on advancing the study and field of