Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-229) and index.

Introduction. The cultural captivity of contemporary North American practical theology ; The critical theoretic correlational model ; The critical praxis correlational model ; The transformational model -- Biblical, theological, and missiological grounds for a missional-ecumenical approach to practical theology. Charismatic, missional, ecumenical praxis within the "one body of Christ" ; The demographic transformation of world Christianity and the twilight of "mainline" Protestant foreign missions ; Facing up to the tensions between the gospel, church, and culture. The conversion-encounter axis between gospel and culture ; The reciprocal relationship axis between gospel and church ; The missionary dialogue axis between church and culture -- Gospel, church, and culture tensions in Meiji, Japan. Tamura Naomi and his times: education from above ; The Japanese bride incident. Gospel and culture tensions ; Gospel and church tensions ; Culture and church tensions -- From evangelism to religious education. A vision for the Christian transformation of Japan ; The graded lessons and the testing of Tamura's vision. Encountering missionary opposition ; World's Sunday School Convention held in Tokyo -- Tamura's mature work. The principles and practice of religious education ; The child the center of Christianity -- Toward a missional-ecumenical model of practical theology. The contemporary significance of Tamura's missional-ecumenical approach to practical theology. Personal missional engagement at the congregational level ; Personal and academic engagement across cultures ; A tale of two selves in Japan and the United States. Participation in Christ, belonging to others, and realistic self-assessment ; "Was Judas saved?" ; Humility in the face of the unity and variety in the order of creation ; At play in the matrix uniting subject and object ; A tripartite, contingent relationality. The other(s)-I relation ; The I-self(ves) relation ; The relation to a context of ultimacy ; Conclusion: a missionary confession.