Today, the LifeWay Communications Department put out their weekly "Lifelines," which is our employee newsletter at LifeWay. Since I am in the office today, I had a chance to see the issue. It is not available on-line, but this is the actual text (no April Fools "trick," just a little "treat").

Doing their jobs well, the communication folks edited my answers. But, since the newsletter came out today, and in the spirit of April Fools Day fun, I have added the original text back in underline/italic at the beginning or end of each question.

Unlike our staff at the LifeWay building, you get to read the rest of the story... grin.

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This article features Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. Stetzer came to LifeWay in 2007. He previously served as senior director of the Center for Missional Research at the North American Mission Board in Georgia. Visit Stetzer's blog at www.edstetzer.com and learn more about LifeWay Research at www.lifewayresearch.com.

LifeLines: Ed, you are director of LifeWay Research and act as LifeWay's missiologist in residence. What is a "missiologist�??

I have wondered that myself.

It is actually a nickname that Thom Rainer gave me. (I have a nickname for him as well, but it is secret.) So, Thom wanted to create a title where everyone would think I was part of a secret society (think Da Vinci Code) and then people would listen to me more. It seems to be working so far... except when people ask what it means.

Ed Stetzer: What it means is that I am one who studies and writes on missiology, or the study of missions. I completed a Ph.D. in missions because I think that the discipline can give us great help in our quest to be biblically faithful, culturally relevant, counterculture communities for the Gospel.

We have largely neglected missiology, yet it is a discipline that asks how to engage changing culture with a life-changing message of the Gospel. We need it more and more today.

Our churches, not just SBC but American evangelical churches, are failing to engage culture because they are often trying to live in a culture that no longer exists around them. I often say that if the '50s come back, most of our churches will be ready to go. So, churches have to engage culture. But they have to do so in biblically responsible ways. Both of those matter to me - and missiology helps us think biblically about how to do that.

The "how�? of ministry is, in many ways, determined by the who, when and where of culture ... and missiologists help us to think deliberately and biblically about church, culture and mission.

LL: What purpose do you believe LifeWay Research serves in relation to LifeWay's vision statement?

LifeWay has a vision statement? Let me check that and get back at the end of the interview. ("Shirley, can you help me?")

LL: What's your vision for LifeWay Research?

ES: When Dr. Rainer launched LifeWay Research, it was his desire that it would become a key voice in church and culture research. So, my vision is largely an extension of Thom's.

In five years, I would like for pastors, Christians and churches to see LifeWay as a trusted source to understand church and culture. They will find us trustworthy if we actually do research well by using proper methods, safeguards and approaches. And, that can be awkward if, for example, we do research that does not make everyone happy. But, at the end of the day, we have to believe that "facts are our friends,�? and we will be trusted when people see that we tell the truth even when it is not always pleasant. Also, we will be found trustworthy when people see that our research is motivated by a love for Christ and church and shaped by the Word of God.

LL: What has been the most exciting study you've been involved in as director of LifeWay Research?

ES: The most exciting for me was the study of the unchurched. In that study, we had a chance to hear honestly from the unchurched. It was not always pretty (you can see the results at www.lifewayresearch.com). But, it is eye opening. Many of the unchurched don't like us.

Why is that exciting to me? Well, basically, when we know what is wrong we can work toward fixing it. Also, we found a great openness to spiritual things in the study as well. That is bad news coupled with good news and biblical solutions.

And, I must confess that I greatly enjoyed being able to talk about Jesus, the cross, and salvation on CNN as well.

LL: Tell us about your family.

ES: I don't talk much about my family on my blog (www.edstetzer.com) because I don't want their pictures all over the Internet. But, I have a great family.

Donna and I were high school sweethearts. We started dating when we were 15 years old. (Interesting side note: she says we started dating when we were 16, which means I was stalking her for a year thinking we were dating.)

We were married at 20 in college. This past year we celebrated our anniversary by moving to Nashville and unpacking boxes.

I have three daughters (so pray for me). They are ages 3, 5, and 9. I love them dearly and they make my life fun, exciting and unpredictable.

LL: How has your background in church planting, revitalization and ministry, mixed with academics prepared you for your current role?

ES: I guess I am a bit weird in that I love the church and I love training pastors. So,
my stint in academia was basically a chance to train pastors.

LifeWay Research exists for the church. And, I think that is why it is important we stay connected to the church. So, I am of the church, for the church, and in a church. The church is what God is and will use to redeem a lost world. That is one of the reasons I became the interim teaching pastor at First Baptist in Hendersonville. I feel compelled to be ministering in a local church.

LL: What purpose do you believe LifeWay Research serves in relation to LifeWay's vision statement?

ES: Ohhhh... you mean THAT vision statement. (Thanks, Shirley.) Yes, I have it memorized. Tattooed, as a matter of fact (although you cannot see if because visible tattoos are against policy).

So, here is the vision statement as I have memorized it: "As God works through us...We will help people and churches know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom by providing biblical solutions that spiritually transform individuals and cultures."

So, the answer to your question about the vision of LifeWay Research: "As God works through us, we will help people and churches know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom by providing quality research that helps churches spiritually transform individuals and cultures."

Amen.