The 2016 McClure Lectures were held Sept. 26-27. Stephen Bevans, Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus at Catholic Theological Union, presented two lectures and a chapel talk on the theme "Transforming Mission.”
"A God of Mercy, A People of Mercy: The Year of Mercy and the Mission of the Church" This lecture is in the context of the Jubilee Year of Mercy currently being celebrated worldwide by the Roman Catholic Church. It first speaks of the mission of God in terms of God's work of mercy. Then the lecture reflects on the fact that, as God's people baptized into God's life, we are a people of mercy, sharing in God's mission of mercy in the world. Particular focus is on mercy for the world's migrants, mercy for the world's victims, and mercy for creation.
"Transforming Discipleship: Missiological Reflections" Anticipating the theme of the upcoming Mission Conference of the World Council of Churches' Commission on World Mission and Evangelism in 2018 and drawing on Pope Francis's call for "missionary discipleship," this lecture reflects on the missiological implications of a discipleship transformed by baptism and called to transform the world.