*Editorial Note 1: On the Whole Concept of a “Year-In Review”
review | rəˈvyo͞o | verb:
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Examine or assess (something) formally with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary: The company’s safety procedures are being reviewed.
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Origin: Late Middle English (as a noun denoting a formal inspection of military or naval forces): from revoir ‘see again.’
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Free PDF Download: 2023 – A Year-In Review | Missio Alliance Writing Collective
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I’ve never understood why there is a rush of breathless ‘year-in-review’ pieces splashed online the minute the Thanksgiving turkey is in our review mirror. And yet, somehow each December 1st, I find myself clicking through to see what made the list for best movies of the year, best memes, Top 10 football goals…you name it.
Did you know that the writer who penned the “Time Person of the Year: 2023” feature on Taylor Swift began interviewing her in July, during the Eras Tour weekend in Santa Clara, California? While I found Sam Lansky’s profile on Swift’s unreal 2023 fascinating, for I am an unabashed #SwiftieDad of two young girls, and would never for the life of me attempt to claim that 2023 was anything other than a shared triumph for fans of Beyoncé, Barbie, and Swift alike, I do wonder whether we are able to adequately reflect on a year we have lived while we are barely half-way through it.
To review something means “to examine or assess formally with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary.” Its origin is from a root word ‘revoir’ in Late Middle English, meaning “to see again.” How can we see something again if we are still living it? Does clarity come from being within the midst of something that is unfolding, or with a healthy amount of distance from it?
And so I ask you: What clarity are you only now seeing as 2023 recedes into the rearview mirror?
~Chris Kamalski (Editorial Director), on behalf of our entire team at Missio Alliance
P.S. –> Free PDF Download: 2023 – A Year-In Review | Missio Alliance Writing Collective
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*Editorial Note 2: Twelve Pieces We Are Proud to Highlight
We tried several different things this year with a year-in review. Here’s two things we aren’t seeking to accomplish:
- Not seeking to compete with all the amazing year-in reviews that run during the month of December, when everyone is focused on the Christmas holiday already.
- Not trying to be overwhelmingly comprehensive with what we are choosing to highlight.
If a piece is published on our site, we are proud of it, and support its existence, deeply grateful for our Writing Collective for its creation. Our writers produced incredible, deeply researched, convicting work this year, as always. I am amazed at the caliber of our Writing Collective! With that said, here are two things we’re experimenting with as 2024 unfolds:
- Highlighting exceptionally written, compelling, original pieces. We could have selected many more, but these pieces are a taste of what can be found on our site. Dive in!
- Highlighting pieces that focus explicitly on formation, justice, and mission, our core pillars in our work as Missio Alliance.
To that end, we have created a beautiful year-in review PDF that links to twelve pieces from 2023, one per month, that are exceptional. Please download and share this PDF with your networks!
Free PDF Download: 2023 – A Year-In Review | Missio Alliance Writing Collective
Free PDF Download: 2023 – A Year-In Review | Missio Alliance Writing Collective
Free PDF Download: 2023 – A Year-In Review | Missio Alliance Writing Collective
Missio Alliance Comment Policy
The Missio Alliance Writing Collectives exist as a ministry of writing to resource theological practitioners for mission. From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. This sort of thoughtful engagement is something that we seek to engender not only in our publishing, but in conversations that unfold as a result in the comment section of our articles.
Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand. At the same time, censorship of comments by those who disagree with points made by authors, whose anger or limited perspective taints their words, or who simply feel the need to express their own opinion on a topic without any meaningful engagement with the article or comment in question can mask an important window into the true state of Christian discourse. As such, Missio Alliance sets forth the following suggestions for those who wish to engage in conversation around our writing:
1. Seek to understand the author’s intent.
If you disagree with something the an author said, consider framing your response as, “I hear you as saying _________. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, here’s why I disagree. _____________.
2. Seek to make your own voice heard.
We deeply desire and value the voice and perspective of our readers. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down.
3. Share your story.
One of our favorite tenants is that “an enemy is someone whose story we haven’t heard.” Very often disagreements and rants are the result of people talking past rather than to one another. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. We encourage you to couch your comments in whatever aspect of your own story might help others understand where you are coming from.
In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive.