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EMQ Writer Guidelines

EMQ receives articles from anyone who has a fresh idea relating to world missions. We are not a scholarly journal written for academics, but publish material that is academically sound, reflecting careful thought and practical application to mission professionals, mission pastors, and, especially, working missionaries.

Any article focused on cross-cultural ministry practice is welcome at any time, even if the topic of the article does not fit into the themes below.

We are looking for articles that:

• reflect on personal experience in intercultural ministry
• share stories about what God is doing as he extends his kingdom across cultural boundaries
• explore issues related to cross-cultural ministry practice.

Research-based articles are definitely welcome. Theoretical articles are also possible but must consider the practical implications of theory for cross-cultural mission practice. If you have an idea for an article but are unsure whether to write it, feel free to write to the Editor about your idea first.

Special Interest Group Articles

If you would like to publish a series of articles related to a group’s special interest, you are welcome to write to the Editor to explore the possibility of creating a special issue.

Themed articles

For 2026, we are also inviting submissions on the following themes. If you miss the deadline, still go ahead and submit your article as we will continue to explore these themes into the future.

Bible teaching (January) – deadline September 30th 2026

The Bible is central to Christian living. We communicate its message in evangelism. Its study is our lifelong task. Through its translation churches are planted across cultures. Because the Bible is a book, literacy has been integral to missionary work. Often, teaching reading has been inseparable from teaching the Bible. But people can also learn biblical content through listening and the creative arts. There are also many methods of teaching the Bible. Whether these methods are designed for illiterate disciples or people studying advanced degrees, the Bible doesn’t change. This issue examines how missionaries teach the Bible so its living text transforms lives.

The need for missiology (April) – deadline December 31st 2026

A surprising number of people still come out to the field without any missions training. Some argue the Bible is all they need. In contrast, some mission organizations offer many professional development courses. This issue seeks to clarify what people doing cross-cultural ministry, whether at home or abroad, need to learn besides traditional Bible and theology. Like for all EMQ articles, the focus is on practical issues. How does missiology help missionaries be more effective in sharing the gospel across cultures? Why is studying it important? This issue will also explore how the formal study of missions (missiology) is developing, and what new ideas are emerging as the world changes.

Church planting (July) – deadline March 31^st 2027

The church is the body of Christ and the means through which most people meet Jesus. As we go into all the world to make disciples, gathering them into churches is a critical part of the process. Yet, despite the simplicity of the Acts 2 church, culture and history can raise many challenges. At the same time, church life in different cultures has much to teach all of us about how we can better serve and reflect our awesome God. For this issue, articles exploring any aspect of cross-cultural church planting—models, examples, challenges, joys—is welcome.

Interpersonal relationships (October) – deadline June 30^th 2027

Ministry is all about people. Yet, fellow missionaries often challenge us more than those we serve. Also, the stress of cross-cultural work often exaggerates challenges between people. It is no surprise that Jesus formed his disciples into a community and directed them to love one another as proof of their belonging to him. Relating to others is integral to Christian spirituality. This issue explores how relationships and missionary spirituality intersect. Authors could reflect on different types of relationships, how relationship with God affects these, and the impact of them on personal spiritual growth.

About the EMQ Audience

• • Missionaries, mission agency executives, mission professors, missionary candidates, students, school/church libraries, mission pastors, mission-minded church leaders, mission supporters, and agency board members.

• • Over half of our readers live and work overseas serving with over a hundred different denominations and sending agencies.

• • They are well educated; two-thirds of them have graduate degrees.

• • They work at hundreds of different missionary ministries, most of them as church planters and teachers.

• • They are most interested in cultural and biblical values, Christianity and culture, church and culture, discipleship processes, evangelism methods, church planting methods, and leadership training methods.

• • They do not see EMQ as a scholarly journal; rather they see it as a very readable, informative, stimulating, and practical professional publication.

• • Five times as many readers describe EMQ as extremely practical compared to extremely theoretical.

Criteria by Which Articles Are Evaluated

1. • Importance of subject to our readers

• • Freshness and creativity

• • Clarity and readability

• • Development and depth

• • Support and resources

• • Convincing arguments

• • Accuracy and validity

• • Overall treatment of a subject

Article Parameters

1. 1. Length: 2,000–3,000 words. If more than 3,000 words, the article may be returned to you or edited by EMQ staff.
   2. When citing sources, use endnotes in Chicago style at the end of the article, not footnotes at the bottom of pages.
   3. The Editor will review your article and send it back to you with feedback. Once you return it, final decisions are at the Editor’s discretion.

Submissions in languages other than English

EMQ is now accepting article submissions in languages other than English.

Process for review

The article and associated information will be:

1. translated into English using DeepL
2. reviewed for possible publication
3. edited in English by the EMQ Editorial Director

The English version of the article will be:

1. returned to the author for acceptance
2. published acknowledging the original submission in another language

The original language version of articles accepted for publication in English will be stored until a volunteer editor in that language is available. They will be published in their original language after editorial review in that language.

How to Submit Your Article

Submit your article using the form below. The copyright of all published submissions is owned by EMQ. Reprint guidelines are provided upon submission publication or can be requested at the time of submission.

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