Many fine works on mission history and theories have been written for academics and seminarians. What is needed for ordinary Catholics is an introduction to the changes, issues, and concerns of mission since Vatican II. This volume is a revised and expanded edition of a concise treatment of missiology by an expert in the field. Roger Schroeder is a Divine Word Missionary and Chair of Catholic Mission Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The first edition itself was an abbreviated work based on the seminal textbook coauthored by Stephen B. Bevans and Roger Schroeder entitled Constant in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (Orbis Press, 2004). It is no surprise that most of the chapters in this small volume are summaries of the larger work, but aim to bring a graduate text in missiology to the popular audience.

As in the first edition, Schroeder systematically walks the audience through the vast field of the church's mission, placing it at the service of the reign of God, stressing its global characters and changes along the centuries, and ending with a viable theology of mission for today. In the introductory chapter, he stresses that the one-directional mission ad gentes (to the nations/peoples) is no longer sufficient. Global solidarity is prompted by the concept of table fellowship, and by extension, mission necessarily has to be inter gentes (among the nations/peoples).

In chapters 2 and 3, Schroeder presents a theology of mission rooted in the Gospel and the Book of Acts. In these chapters, he shows that the earliest disciples have engaged in God's mission animated by the Spirit as extensions of Jesus's own mission. Here, the disciples’ desire to being one with people of all castes and races, cultures and generations, stems from the examples of inclusive practices by Jesus the Savior. The next two chapters, 4 and 5, recount the history of mission from the apostolic era to the Fall of Berlin (100–1989), highlighting both the successes and failures of the past for today's lesson.

The last three chapters lay out a theology of mission for today. Chapter 6 considers the influences of recent magisterial documents Ad gentes (1965), Evangelii nunctiandi (1971), Redemptoris missio (1990)—and for this revised edition, Evangelii gaudium (2013)—on missionary activities. As “signposts for mission,” these documents orient the reader to the “why, who and where of mission,” namely that mission as participation in the mission of the Triune God (AG), as liberating service of the Reign of God (EN), as proclamation of Jesus Christ as universal savior (RM), and as joyful witness of the missionary disciples (EG). Chapter 7 lists the six integrated aspects of mission as “a single but complex reality”: mission is about witness and proclamation; about liturgy, prayer, and contemplation; about the pursuit of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation; about interreligious and secular dialogue; about inculturation; and about reconciliation. In the final chapter, Schroeder sketches out a spirituality and practice of missionary discipleship, showing how the new concept of mission is applicable in the parishes and dioceses. To make it more useful, the book contains three appendices: a sample of a parish assessment tool, an evaluation for partnership checking, and resources and contact information.

In this brief volume, Schroeder skillfully reviews both the mission history and theologies in a very simple and profound way. Although the topic is huge and complicated, he manages to distill from his larger work the necessary information, keeping the important insights and concepts, following the image of the table fellowship. For those who have not had the time to read Constant and Context, this is a fine summary appropriate for nonspecialists. The practical resources, examples, and appendices at the end of the book make this concise work helpful for the general audience.

This book is recommended for people who want to be informed of the recent developments of missiology. Although Schroeder intended his audience primarily as those located in Catholic parishes and dioceses in the United States, the insights and suggestions in this book can be used to inspire Catholics and Christians elsewhere as to what is required of them today. This concise work provides not only Catholics but also others interested in mission with an invaluable and easily accessible resource.