Alan Tippett’s publications played a significant role in the development of missiology. The volumes in this series augment his distinguished reputation by bringing to light his many unpublished materials and hard-to-locate printed articles. These books—encompassing theology, anthropology, history, area studies, religion, and ethnohistory—broaden the contours of the discipline. As a gift to Edna and the children on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, Tippett completed his autobiography, ironically just months prior to his death. Containing personal reflections on his childhood and later mission experiences in the South Pacific, relationship with Donald McGavran and the founding of the School of World Mission, and retirement years in Australia, No Continuing City is the inside story. These are Tippett’s Personal reflections that can be found in no other publication. Twenty years as a missionary in Fiji, following pastoral ministry in Australia and graduate degrees in history and anthropology, provide the rich database that made Alan R. Tippett a leading missiologist of the twentieth century. Tippett served as Professor of Anthropology and Oceanic Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. Alan Tippett was arguably one of the leading missiologists of the twentieth century. Through his prolific pen, poignant observations, and powerful insights he significantly influenced mission research and activity in the period of the 1960s to 1980s. This was particularly facilitated through his research, writing, and teaching at the Institute of Church Growth, Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission, and his inaugural editorship of the American Society of Missiology's journal, Missiology: An International Review. Yet for those who did not know Tippett's material well, the very specific nature of his research and writing limited the influence of his insights. For example, without already knowing the pertinent content, why would a missionary to Thailand think of reading Tippett's Solomon Islands Christianity? However, according to Doug Priest, editor of a number of Tippett's posthumous publications, this volume has "done what even Tippett himself did not do, and that is to capture the key features of his missiology in one volume." So Guiding Light functions as an in-depth overview of "The Essential Alan Tippett." I can attest that the nature of Tippett's material continued to inform and inspire me throughout the eleven years of the research and writing of this study.