Religious mission and Religious Conversion Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A very important work. This travel journal tells the story of a great man's baptism into other worlds of culture, language, nationhood, and appreciation for peoples outside of his purview. The more one knows about David O. McKay, the more one recognizes that this international experience changed the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."--R. Lanier Britsch, author of Moramona: The Mormons in Hawai'i"A well-researched and well-written narrative that places McKay's journey in historical context and prepares the reader to plumb its forward-looking significance. It will take its place in the extensive documentary history of the most important figure in twentieth-century Mormonism."--Gregory A. Prince, coauthor of David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism

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Book SynopsisFocuses on the ways in which Christianity has become an integral part of Xiamen, a southeastern Chinese city profoundly influenced by western missionaries. Illustrates the complexities of memory and mission in shaping the city's cultural landscape, church-state dynamics, and global aspirations.Trade Review“This is a wonderful new resource for all scholars of Chinese religion and historians of China more generally. It is a beautiful example of how contemporary ethnographic work combined with historical archival research can produce some of the most pertinent and insightful portraits of state– society relations and their co-production of memory, history and identity.”—Gerda Wielander China Quarterly“Negotiating the Christian Past in China coalesces granular, deeply researched ethnographic data into a fresh and expansive take on the unique patterns of Church-state engagement and the relationship between social memory and faith identity. This story is local and global, particular and general. For anyone who has not yet visited, or cannot travel to, Xiamen, especially Gulangyu Island, this book is the next best thing.”—Joseph T. H. Lee,Pace University“Drawing on firsthand interviews, locally produced Chinese-language histories, and observation of historical celebrations, Negotiating the Christian Past in China offers a new understanding of China’s Christian past. In particular, Liu shows how this past is constructed by combining both official frameworks and unofficial nostalgias and experiences into a social memory that is actively produced without being dominated by state repression or characterized as grassroots resistance. This book takes readers as never before inside the lived world of Xiamen’s Christian present. It does so by exploring how protagonists construct its past in negotiations with other societal actors in the shadow of the state.”—Carsten Vala,author of The Politics of Protestant Churches and the Party-State in China“This book is not only a catalyst for the development of empirical Christian studies in China but also contributes to deepening the exploration of the field of Christian history and cultural memory studies.”—Wei Xiong Religious Studies Review

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Book SynopsisThe Provocative Church offers a liberating understanding of evangelism as a corporate activity, in which all the gifts needed to enact the life of the Kingdom - to stir people into asking, 'What does this mean?' - are spread throughout the whole Church. It encourages the development of a theology of conversion.Trade ReviewThe Provocative Church is one of the best, most honest, most theologically grounded and therefore most practically helpful books on evangelism to have come out in recent years * Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford *

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Book SynopsisThis is Sean Stillman's personal story of a transformed faith alongside the broken, the story of the church he started and the European-wide growth of an unlikely bunch of biker missionaries.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary, authentic example of discipleship, and the honouring and validation of the radiant "broken jewels" on society’s margins. -- Stewart Henderson, poet, broadcaster and lyricistSean is a remarkable man with a wonderful story. His ministry resides among the margins, the outliers, the broken, the forgotten. Rides a mean bike too. -- Rick Elias, recording artist and producerI put some miles on my bike alongside Sean back in the day, and he remains the kind of Christian and human being I aspire to be. Compelling. -- Sean Gladding, author of The Story of God, the Story of Us and TenRead God’s Biker at your own peril, and with a significant bit of fear. The closer we connect with God, the more he changes us. Sean transformed from a "painfully shy, nervous preacher’s kid" to working with motorcycle clubs and shepherding the "sometimes chaotic community of Zac’s Place." A dangerous process? Absolutely. But man, what a ride you get when striving to fully follow Jesus. Sean would say that’s the normal Christian life. I agree. -- Tim Riter, author of God, a Motorcycle, and the Open RoadThe mystique of pioneering ministry can easily be alluring to those who want to do things differently. But Sean Stillman has always done things differently and, in this powerful and moving book, he shows how deep trust in God can lead to costly mission which makes a real difference to fragile lives. If you are looking for full-on glamour and minute by minute excitement this isn’t for you. But if you want to see a transformative God at work in pioneering ways and far from easy places, go out and buy it – now! -- Norman Ivison, former BBC TV producer and Director of Communication at Fresh Expressions UKA very human story of a self-aware, flawed individual who has used his faith . . . to help and support people on the fringes of society. -- Andy Hornsby, American-V MagazineYou don’t need to have interest in motorbikes to find principles that we do well to apply to any demographic of the population who would struggle to enter our church gatherings. -- Peter Grier, author of Travel: In Tandem with God’s HeartHis whole story challenges us to learn from fragile people. -- Roy Jenkins, broadcaster and Baptist ministerMemorable and moving. -- Ian Coffey, author and Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands CollegeSean challenges Christians to rethink what the church is throughout and offers a wake-up call to the bigger picture of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. -- Ruth Clemence, award-winning bloggerThis is the best kind of challenging Christian book. It pushes readers to face their preconceptions and hunger for a countercultural but deeper way to live for God. -- G. Connor Salter, writer and bloggerRaw and gut-wrenching. -- Mandy Bayton, freelance writer and speaker.

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of Rich Wilson, Team Leader at Fusion and the growth of the incredible student movement he serves. Packed with real-life stories of ordinary people following an extraordinary God, this book will encourage readers to find and pursue their calling through adventure and adversity.Table of Contents1. Calling and me: hearing the call 2. Calling and history: the family tree 3. Calling and community: small groups on fire 4. Calling and Pain: a long dark night 5. Calling and Money: hustling with faith 6. Calling and Battles: I will stand 7. Calling and Perseverance: long obedience/ grace and grit 8. Calling and Adventure: fire and ice 9. Calling and Hope: I see hope 10. Calling and movement: movement makers

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Book SynopsisJesus wants to remake us; but if we barely allow Jesus through the front door, it is no surprise that we are left wondering whether this really is as good as it gets. Neil O'Boyle shows us what it means to open ourselves up, so that the light of Christ shines into the dark nooks and exposes the sagging rafters.Trade ReviewHugely engaging, deeply challenging, brilliantly creative and extremely practical. * Laura Hancock, National Ministries Director, Youth for Christ *What I like about this book is that it doesn’t settle for the ordinary but invites the reader to allow Jesus Christ to wander the corridors of our lives and check out any room that might be off limits for three simple outcomes - freedom, life and transformation, and one simple purpose - a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. * Most Revd John Sentamu, Archbishop of York *

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Book SynopsisBestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg draw on the principles in The Case for Christ to provide a training course for believers that equips them with practical tools to share their faith.

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Book SynopsisThe Alpha Youth Film Series is a perfect way to create an environment of acceptability where students can bring their friends to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share their point of view.

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Book SynopsisMost preachers were never taught or shown how to preach a topical sermon, and they may lack the competency or confidence to do so. In Topical Preaching in a Complex World, Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill equip preachers with the rationale and skillset to prepare and deliver engaging topical sermons for a variety of occasions.

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Book SynopsisIn this six-session video training course, author and trainer Mark Mittelberg, introduces you to “the 5 faith-sharing styles” and, in the process, discovering which of these styles (or combination of them) best fits you.

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Book SynopsisEffectively communicate Christ across CulturesThe gospel message transcends cultures, but human communication does not. In Transforming Communication missionary and professor Vee J. D-Davidson provides principles for the intercultural communication of Christ.Using her twenty-five-plus years of experience teaching as a Westerner in Asia as a starting point, Davidson provides transferable principles that encourage awareness of context-specific issues and that see opportunities for intercultural communication as wholly unique opportunities, regardless of any perceived communication barriers. Readers from multiple different cultures will be able to apply the principles presented by use of relevant examples, illustrations, and enlightening insights provided from a wide range of Global South and Global North multicultural and intercultural perspectives.Transforming Communication offers practical principles to encourage and challenge

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Book SynopsisThe Gospel Invitation, by bestselling author O.S. Hawkins and Dr. Matt Queen, is the essential guide in the art and instruction of issuing Christ's invitation to the lost for today's pastors, church planters, and missionaries.Trade Review'Every pastor I know truly wants to see people discover a relationship with Christ and this book gives you an incredible opportunity to do that. Whether you have been extending an invitation at the end of your sermons for years or you are looking at it for the first time, O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen have compiled a great resource that will help you get started or just freshen your approach and sharpen your skills. If you put into practice the principles and suggestions you find here, I am convinced you will see an increase in the number of people who respond to the gospel in your church.' * Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board, SBC *'It is my honor to regard O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen as dear friends. I have turned to both for advice and encouragement. I am thrilled to recommend their book to you. Upon its release, I read it and was immediately encouraged to revisit the importance of a clear gospel invitation in each worship service. We saw immediate fruit. Every so often the church needs to be reminded of the priority of a clear presentation of the good news. Drs. Hawkins and Queen have given us exactly that.' * Max Lucado, pastor and New York Times bestselling author *'My friend O.S. Hawkins has written a powerful book this year that I pray will impact all who desire to see people come to salvation in Christ Jesus. Each generation has the God-given privilege of casting and drawing the net to those who hear the call of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself said, 'Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.' O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen masterfully shine a light on Scripture where God's servants have effectively called people to the foot of the cross. My prayer is that preachers, and all followers of Christ, will read this book with open hearts to the importance of The Gospel Invitation.' * Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse *'One of the most frequent questions I receive from young leaders and communicators is 'how do you give a gospel invitations?' That is why this book is so relevant and needed. And, I can't think of two more qualified leaders than my two friends, Dr. O. S. Hawkins and Dr. Matt Queen, to write on this very important topic. I love this resource. Please get this book and share it with every leader you know. That is what I plan on doing!' * Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director, North American Mission Board (NAMB) & Author of Calling Out the Called *'The Gospel Invitation is a book begging to be read and practiced! May God use this important message to equip a new generation of preachers and evangelists to bring multitudes into the family of God.' * Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church *'The Gospel Invitation is one that every pastor, preacher, teacher and anyone serious about sharing the gospel must read. From the historical validity of the invitation to practical steps for modern invitations, you will be inspired and encouraged to invite more and more to come to Jesus.' * Ryan Fontenot, Founder and Lead Evangelist, R.A.G.E. Ministries *'The most exciting time of our worship service each week is when we give people an opportunity to publicly respond to the teaching and preaching of God's word. As a pastor, I can't think of a greater privilege and more sacred responsibility than extending this weekly invitation for people to receive Jesus into their life. This is why I am grateful for The Gospel Invitation. Hawkins and Queen do an incredible job of exploring the biblical basis for a public invitation and give practical helps on how we can be most effective in calling people to Christ. I encourage every Christian, not just my pastor friends to read this book and implement its instruction. You'll be a better witness for having done so.' * Jarrett Stephens, Pastor, Champion Forest Baptist Church; author, The Always God: He Hasn’t Changed and You Are Not Forgotten *

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Book SynopsisJesus said, 'Do this in remembrance of me' and it's time we take that prompting seriously. Jesus lived in community, dependent on God's lead, completely confident in his standing in eternity, unmoved by sin and its consequences, honestly compassionate for everyone, and he loved, deeply. We can too.

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Book SynopsisThis is history at its best. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya is readable, informative, gripping, and above all honest.From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya helps readers understand the life and role of a missionary through real life examples of missionaries throughout history. We see these men and women as fallible and human in their failures as well as their successes. These great leaders of missions are presented as real people, and not super-saints. This second edition covers all 2,000 years of mission history with a special emphasis on the modern era, including chapters focused on the Muslim world, Third World missions, and a comparison of missions in Korea and Japan. It also contains both a general and an illustration index where readers can easily locate particular missionaries, stories, or incidents. New design graphics, photographs, and maps help make this a compelling book.From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya is as informative and intriguing as it is inspiringan invaluable resource for missionaries, mission agencies, students, and all who are concerned about the spreading of the gospel throughout the world.Table of ContentsContents List of Graphics 9 Preface to the Second Edition 11 Preface 13 Part 1: The Irresistible Advance 1 The Early Centuries: Evangelizing the Roman Empire 21 Paul the Apostle 26 Polycarp 30 Perpetua 32 Ulfilas 34 Patrick 37 Columba 40 2 Roman Catholic Missions: Baptizing the Masses 44 Boniface (Winfried) 47 Anskar 51 Cyril and Methodius 53 Raymond Lull 56 Bartholomew de Las Casas 60 Francis Xavier 62 Matthew Ricci 67 3 American Indian Missions: Seeking the “Noble Savage” 71 Paul Le Jeune 72 John Eliot 74 The Mayhews 79 David Brainerd 80 Eleazer Wheelock 84 David Zeisberger 85 Isaac McCoy 86 Marcus and Narcissa Whitman 88 4 The Moravian Advance: Dawn of Protestant Missions 97 Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf 100 Christian David and Hans Egede 104 George Schmidt 110 Part 2: The “Great Century” 5 South Central Asia: Confronting Ancient Creeds 121 William Carey 122 Adoniram and Ann Judson 130 George and Sarah Boardman 139 Alexander Duff 141 James and Isabella Thoburn 144 6 Black Africa: “The White Man’s Graveyard” 147 Robert and Mary Moffat 149 David Livingstone 155 George Grenfell 163 William Sheppard 165 Alexander Mackay 167 Mary Slessor 170 7 China: “Barbarians Not Welcome” 176 Robert Morrison 178 Liang Afa 182 Karl F. A. Gutzlaff 184 J. Hudson Taylor 186 Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth 201 Mildred Cable 205 8 The Pacific Islands: Preaching in “Paradise” 208 Henry Nott and the Duff Missionaries 211 Hiram Bingham and Hawaiian Missions 214 John Williams 219 John G. Paton 224 John Coleridge Patteson 228 Florence Young 230 9 The Muslim World: Mission Field in the Desert 233 Henry Martyn 236 Samuel Zwemer 238 Temple Gairdner 242 Constance Padwick 245 Maude Cary 248 10 Korea and Japan: A Contrast in Receptivity 254 Horace Allen 256 Henry Appenzeller 258 Horace and Lillias Horton Underwood 262 John L. Nevius 264 Protestant Mission Initiatives in Japan 268 William Smith Clark and Kanzo Uchimura 269 Charles and Lettie Cowman 272 Mabel Francis 275 Part 3: The Expanding Involvement 11 Single Women Missionaries: “Second-Class Citizens” 287 Adele Marion Fielde 290 Charlotte (Lottie) Diggs Moon 294 Amy Carmichael 298 Johanna Veenstra 303 Gladys Aylward 306 12 Student Volunteers: Forsaking Wealth and Prestige 312 C. T. Studd 314 John R. Mott 319 Robert E. Speer 325 Fletcher Brockman 327 E. Stanley Jones 330 13 “Faith” Missionaries: Depending on God Alone 335 A. B. Simpson and the Christian and Missionary Alliance 336 Fredrik Franson and TEAM 340 Rowland Bingham and the Sudan Interior Mission 341 Peter Cameron Scott and the Africa Inland Mission 346 C. I. Scofield and the Central American Mission 349 Jim Elliot and Operation Auca 352 Eliza Davis George and the Elizabeth Native Interior Mission 360 14 Innovation and Ingenuity: The Call for Specialization 364 Medical Missions: “Angels of Mercy” 366 Ida Scudder 368 Carl Becker 372 William Cameron Townsend and Bible Translation 375 Clarence W. Jones and HCJB 381 Elizabeth “Betty” Greene and Mission Aviation 386 Part 4: The Era of the New Millennium 15 Twentieth-Century Martyrs: “Yankee, Go Home” 399 Betty and John Stam and China Martyrs 402 Paul Carlson and the Congo Martyrs 406 Betty Olsen and the Vietnam Martyrs 410 Chet Bitterman and Latin America Martyrs 414 William Donald McClure 417 16 Third World Missions: Younger Churches Reach Out 420 Pandita Ramabai 423 William Wade Harris 428 Semisi Nau 430 John Sung 432 Elka of the Wai Wai 435 17 New Methods and Strategy: Reaching Tomorrow’s World 439 R. Kenneth Strachan 443 Orlando Costas 447 Donald McGavran 449 Ralph and Roberta Winter 452 Lesslie Newbigin 454 18 Saints and Celebrities: Appealing to the Masses 458 Bob Pierce 460 Bruce Olson 461 Mother Teresa 461 Brother Andrew and Open Doors 464 Helen Roseveare 468 Jackie Pullinger 472 Don Richardson 475 Postscript 479 Notes 483 General Bibliography 513 Illustration Index 515 General Index 519 List of Graphics Pictures and Credits Polycarp (The Bettmann Archive) 31 Bo

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Book SynopsisIn Organic Outreach for Families, Kevin and Sherry Harney share insights from the Scriptures and give practical advice from their own experience to help you learn how to transform your home into a lighthouse of God's amazing grace.   The Harneys discuss five ways you can naturally share your faith with others: Reaching your own children with the message of Jesus Sharing God's grace with your extended family Raising your children to be beacons of light in their schools and in the neighborhood Opening the doors of your home to make it attractive and welcoming Shining the light of grace into your broader community The Harneys balance a concern for developing your home into a safe, secure environment with the biblical mandate for believers to be salt and light in the world. Pastors and parents will discover creative ways families can become a natural

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Book SynopsisAuthor Chris Wright offers a sweeping biblical survey of the holistic mission of the church, providing practical insight for today’s church leaders. Wright gives special emphasis to theological trajectories of the Old Testament that not only illuminate God’s mission but also suggest priorities for Christians engaged in God’s world-changing work.

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Book SynopsisThink Christianly is about seizing the opportunities we have every day to speak the life Jesus offers into our culture. Tragically, many such opportunities pass us by unclaimed—either because we don’t notice them or we have not prepared ourselves to enter into them. And those around us seem to grow increasingly unwilling to hear anything the church has to say. Jonathan Morrow helps church leaders envision and implement ways for their congregations to “think Christianly” about contemporary questions and to speak in informed, engaging ways. Morrow explores many of the important issues that Christians often hear raised with regard to faith—questions about who Jesus was, the good and bad of religion, pain and evil in the world, the reliability of the Bible, sexuality and intimate relationships, and hope for change, among others. The life and faith issues that Think Christianly addresses lead to cultural moments where Christianity and contemporary culture in

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Book SynopsisAs an unparalleled introduction to missionary communication, this thoroughly indexed book examines world views, cognitive processes, linguistic forms, behavioral patterns, social structures, communication media, and motivational sources.Table of ContentsCONTENTS Figures Foreword to First Edition Foreword to Revised Edition Preface Part I Communication and Mission 1. Communication, the Missionary Problem Par Excellence 2. Man, The Communicating Creature 3. The Legacy of Rhetoric to Christian Communication 4. Perspectives From the Science of Communication 5. The Problem of Meaning 6. Why Do Missionaries Communicate? Part II Communication and Culture 7. The Role of Culture in Communication 8. Christ and His Communicators Confront Culture 9. Contextualization – Its Theological Roots 10. Cross-Cultural Communication – Classic Categories and Paradigms 11. Cross-Cultural Communciation – Contemporary Categories and Paradigms 12. Respondents of Other Cultures Part III Worldviews – Ways of Perceiving the World 13. Worldviews and Cross Cultural Communication 14. Communicating Christ Into the Naturalist Worldview 15. Communicating Christ Into the Tribal Worldview 16. Communicating Christ Into the Hindu-Buddhistic Worldview 17. Communicating Christ Into a Chinese Worldview 18. Communicating Christ Into Other Monotheistic Worldviews 19. Communicating Christ Into the Worldviews of Syncretism and Multireligion Part IV Cognitive processes – Ways of Thinking 20. The Importance of How We Know What We Know 21. Cultural Differences and the Cognitive Process 22. Conceptual Thinking and the Western Missionary 23. Communicating Christ in Cultural Areas Where Intuitional Thinking Predominates 24. Communicating Christ in Cultural Areas Where Concrete Relational Thinking Predominates Part V Linguistic Forms – Ways of Expressing Ideas 25. The Importance of Language 26. Why Bother to Learn the Language? 27. Learning About Language Learning 28. What Can We Learn From Languages? Part VI Behavioral Patterns – Ways of Acting 29. From Plato and Aristotle to Edward T. Hall 30. The Missionary and Behavioral Norms 31. Seven Aspects of the “Behavioral Dimension” 32. Where the Action Is Part VII Social Structures – Ways of Interacting 33. Communicating and Social Orientations 34. Status and Role 35. Kinship: Kindred and Lineage 36. Nonkinship Groupings 37. Urban and Rural Societies 38. Free and Totalitarian Societies Part VIII Media Influence – Ways of Channeling the Message 39. Media Have Their Own “Messages” 40. Using Simple Media 41. Using Syndetic Media Part IX Motivational Resources – Ways of Deciding 42. From Persuasion to Elenctics 43. Psychology, Ethnopsychology, and Mission 44. Motivation, Decision Making, and Conversion 45. Receptivity and Missionary Response Bibliography Index of Persons Index of Subjects Index of Scripture References

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Many of the old methods of evangelism no longer work effectively today. We need new methods to communicate the timeless message of the gospel in culturally relevant ways.In a post-Christian, post-churched, post-reached world, most Christians have been poorly equipped to tell their friends about Jesus. Dr. Chan combines the theological and biblical insights of classic evangelistic training with his own and hard-won insights from missiology on contextualization, cultural hermeneutics, and storytelling.Every chapter is illustrated with real-world examples drawn from over fifteen years of evangelistic ministry across the globe. These are methods that really work—with university students, urban workers, and professionals—getting past the defensive posture that people have toward Christianity so they can seriously consider the claims of Jesus Christ.Field-tested and filled with unique, fresh, and creative insights, this book

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Book SynopsisThis book is by an internationally recognised author who is widely regarded as one of the leading authors in postcolonial feminist studies. Written at an academic level but often takes the form of a personal account: with the resulting appeal to our crossover market of HE institutions and seminariesTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part One : Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Interpretation; Chapter 1 Postcolonial Imagination: Historical, Dialogical and Diasporic; Chapter 2 Searching for Wisdom: Sources of Postcolonial Feminist Theologies; Chapter 3 Making the Connections: Postcolonial Studies and Feminist Biblical Interpretation; Chapter 4 Finding Ruth a Home: Gender, Sexuality and the Politics of Otherness; Part Two : Postcolonial Feminist Theological Vision; Chapter 5 Postcolonial Feminist Theology: What is it? How to do It?; Chapter 6 Political Theology : Voices of Women from the South; Chapter 7 Engendering Christ: Who Do You Say That I Am?; Chapter 8 Beyond Pluralism: Towards a Postcolonial Theology of Religions; Chapter 9 Mending of Creation: Women, Nature and Hope.

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Book SynopsisOffering a critical response to the Mission-Shaped Church report, this title is aimed at church leaders interested in Mission-Shaped Church and educators who wish to provide their students with a balanced view. It raises questions about the concepts of Kingdom, Church, and Mission, concepts that are not distinguished clearly in the report.Trade ReviewWe are used to well argued and thoughtful writings from John Hull and this essay is no exception. (...) I commend this essay to all my colleagues in the network. Judi Hattaway

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Book SynopsisExplores the social and historical context in which Pentecostalism arose, the revival, holiness and healing movements associated with it in the late 19th-century, and the influence of colonialism on Pentecostal missions. This book traces the stories of Pentecostal missionaries and 'native workers' in Africa, China, India and other parts.

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative introduction on Fresh Expressions and Pioneer Ministry, Fresh ! combines a serious theological engagement with earthy practicality. It offers perspective based on the years that have now passed since Mission-Shaped Church.Trade ReviewFRESH! : A great balance of theology, praxis and experience, encouraging leadership to practical and effective action in pioneering fresh expressions. -- Stephen Lindridge'With plenty of real-life experience to illustrate and inspire, this book is a lively exploration of the faith and practice of establishing fresh expressions of church. Reflecting on pioneer stories helps us to enlarge our understanding of God's mission today. I pray - which is far ever before us, ahead of us, beside us, behind us and above us - this book, and the example of these fresh expressions of God's love will help us to take bold risks and to fulfil our vocation as part of One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.' -- Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York‘FRESH! Is a valuable resource for anyone enquiring about fresh expressions and pioneer ministry’ -- Linda Rayner, Fresh Expressions Coordinator, The United Reformed Church‘This is a gift of a book – well constructed, aimed and timed for all those serious about the need of the hour and seeking to see the re-evangelisation of western society’ -- Pete Atkins, a director of Ground Level network of churches.

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Book SynopsisDoug Gay seeks to identify and evaluate what goes on in the emerging church and how it relates to other developments of the twentieth and twenty-first century church.Trade Review'A readable and accessible book, this is a welcome addition to the ongoing debate [around the Emerging Church] and a step towards understanding how emerging ecclesiology may take shape ... No doubt Gay's work will aid reflection of how an ecclesiology may be formed.' -- Simon Edwards, Wesley House, CambridgeThere can be little doubt that church attendance is in decline and over the past two decades in the UK significant resources have been invested in attempts to reverse this steady loss of people and indeed morale. Strategies, experiments with the development of leadership and management, imaginative programs for young people, a streamlining and cutting away waste have all been part of the church that prefers to talk about Mission rather than Ministry. This is a creative, well-organized, sometimes dense, but always intellectually robust book from a practical theologian concerned with theological practice from within the church. The reader is reminded how the church rarely ever stands still and is often dynamic in its embrace of change. The metaphor of emergence is explored through five motifs of auditing, retrieval, and unbundling, supplementing and remixing. The framework here is shaped by the disciplines of liturgy, ecclesiology, mission, and congregational studies. Gay manages to write and reflect in an integrated way. There are two key strengths to this book. The first is the authors embedded experience of what is described as the emerging church. He is able to reflect on this experience skilfully and theologically. He draws upon the Christian tradition and in doing so offers honesty, integrity and some integration of theory and practice. This is a key strength absent in the other writings about the future direction of the Church. The book may have been more comprehensive if it had engaged with those who have critiqued the emerging church. Further discussion about the relationship between the UK and USA dimensions might have put some of the discussion into a wider social and cultural perspective. Gay has established himself as a practical theologian of some skill and tenacity. We should look forward to further emerging writing and reflection from his head and heart. -- James Woodward"Gay's book lays out a clear five-point strategy for shaping his own part of the body of Christ for the future: auditing, retrieving, unbundling, supplementing, and remixing." -- Rev Andrew Petiprin * The Living Church *

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Book SynopsisPresents an introduction to mission studies - the history, theology and issues of mission. This book also offers a theological framework for mission, which applies both globally and locally, to help the reader discern the movement of the Spirit of Christ among the many other spirits of this world.Trade ReviewKirsteen Kim's lively study is both accessible and scholarly. This book affirms mission as the work of the Spirit and, rejecting traditional Euro-centric approaches, insists that local mission is most effectively viewed through the lens of the world church. The joy of this book is that the reader is introduced to fresh voices not usually heard in such studies: the challenge is responding to them. Brian Castle, Bishop of Tonbridge and Co-chair Mission Theology Advisory Group.

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when go, make disciples' meets Black Lives Matter'? Arising from the Council for World Mission's Legacies of Slavery project, this book offers an unapologetic exploration of Christian Mission and its history, and the ways in which this legacy has unleashed notions of White supremacy, systemic racism and global capitalism on the world. Contributors reflect on the past and consider the future of world mission in an age of renewed understandings of empire and its impact. Contributors include Mike Higton, David Clough, Eve Parker, James Butler, Cathy Ross, Jione Havea, Peniel Rajkumar, Victoria Turner, Carol Troupe, Michael Jagessar, Paul Weller, Jill Marsh, Kevin Ellis, Rachel Starr, Kevin Snyman, Al Barrett, Ruth Harley and Peter Cruchley.Trade Review"...A marvelous achievement: The first of its kind broad based examination of the problem of whiteness in theology, theological education, and society in the United Kingdom. The contributors to this powerful volume capture both the evasion of many British theologians to confront their own racial empire and its intellectual legacies and a way forward in how to think a life of faith not bound to whiteness. These courageous scholars have marked a new beginning for theology in the UK and beyond. This book is the turning point and therefore it must be find its way into the hands of every student, pastor, and scholar interested in a viable future for the church and theology." -- Willie James Jennings"This is a landmark collection, drawing on a wealth of experience, theological scholarship and critical self-reflection. It should change the conversation about race and empire in British theology, and more importantly it should make white theologians think differently about how theology is produced and transmitted”. -- Rachel MuersTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Contributors Introduction Part One: Decolonizing theological education 1 Beyond Theological Self-Possession Mike Higton 2 Deconstructing Whiteness in the UK Christian Theological Academy David L. Clough 3 Re-Distributing Theological Knowledge in Theological Education as an act of Distributive Justice in Contemporary Christian Mission Eve Parker 4 Dealing with the Two Deadly Ds: Deconstructing Whiteness and Decolonizing the Curriculum of Theological Education Anthony G. Reddie Part Two: Perspectives on History 5 Octavius Hadfield: 19th Century Goodie or 21st Century Baddie? Learnings from the complexities of mission and empire James Butler and Cathy Ross 6 Stolen Myths: Pālangi, Fairness, Native theologies Jione Havea 7 Post-colonialism and Re-stor(y)ing the Ecumenical Movement Peniel Rajkumar 8 A Happy Ecumenical Legacy for the London Missionary Society? Exposing the Coloniality Between Churches Engaged in Mission. Victoria Turner 9 Speaking to the Past: A Black Laywoman’s Theological Appraisal of LMS Archives Carol Troupe 10 Mission and Whiteness: Archival Lessons from LMS in British Guiana (Guyana) Michael Jagessar Part Three: Personal Reflections 11 Coming Full Circle: Christianity, Empire, Whiteness, The Global Majority, and the Struggles of Migrants and Refugees in Britain Paul Weller 12 ‘I know where you’re coming from’: exploring intercultural assumptions Jill Marsh 13 See, Judge, Act: Wrestling with the effects of colonialism as an English priest in Wales Kevin Ellis Part Four: Exploration of Whiteness 14 Unbecoming: reflections on the work of a white theologian Rachel Starr 15 ‘Come we go Chant Down Babylon’: How Black liberation theology subverts White privilege and dismantles the econcruomics of empire to save the planet Kevin Snyman 16 “Holding the space”: troubling ‘the facilitating obsession of whiteness’ in contemporary social-justice-focused models of mission Al Barrett and Ruth Harley

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Book SynopsisBeginning with a Street Nativity Play' that didn't end as planned, and finishing with an open-ended conversation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Being Interrupted locates an institutionally-anxious Church of England within the wider contexts of divisions of race and class in the ruins of empire', alongside ongoing gender inequalities, the marginalization of children, and catastrophic ecological breakdown.In the midst of this bleak picture, Al Barrett and Ruth Harley open a door to a creative disruption of the status quo, from the outside, in': the in-breaking of the wild reality of the Kin-dom' of God. Through careful and unsettling readings in Mark's gospel, alongside stories from a multicultural outer estate in east Birmingham, they paint a vivid picture of an ''alternative economy'' for the Church''s life and mission, which begins with transformative encounters with neighbours and strangers at the edges of our churches, our neighbourhoods and our imaginations, and offers new Trade Review‘A fascinating contribution to the conversation about mission in the 21st century’ -- The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York"A thought provoking and compelling read that is not afraid to tackle some of the challenging issues the Church has had to consider over recent times. Taking into account the turbulent period from Brexit, the Windrush Scandal, the Me-Too Movement to the COVID-19 Pandemic the authors examine the social fractures in the light of the biblical imperative of what it means to love our neighbour. What they offer is an inspired approach that acknowledges both the challenges and the joys that ‘being interrupted’ can bring in order to envision new possibilities. Taking a constructively critical and accessible theological examination of the current context, Al and Ruth prompt us to consider how we might be intentional about traversing those fractures as Christ’s disciples." -- Revd Dr Sharon Prentis"Here is a primer for our times written by two people who help me to feel hopeful about the church and the future of Christian faith. Rooted in practice as well as wide scholarship and prayer, clear-eyed about the urgent issues of our day, this book challenges the multiple ways in which privilege operates to 'other' and refuse the gifts of those who are different from us. It will help individuals and communities find new ways to co-operate with the Spirit of God in her fluid, generative work of kindling and sustaining life - in unlikely and surprising places and ways." -- Professor Nicola Slee"...a creative, interdisciplinary contextual missiology, which breaks new ground by incorporating a multidimensional analysis (race, class and gender). The book adds to a small number of texts written by theologians racialised as white, that rise to the challenge for racial justice in Christian theology. The book's mix of theory, practice and creative arts make it an essential 'action book' for individual Christians and churches seeking to interrupt the long history of oppression(s) from, and in British churches." -- Professor Robert Beckford

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when evangelical Christians intentionally relocate into communities experiencing marginalisation?Within a changing social and political context, the role of the church in public life and the response of Christians to social issues has taken on renewed energy. Churches have entered enthusiastically into community engagement projects such as foodbanks and night shelters, with a broad understanding of this as mission.Reimagining Mission from Urban Places offers much needed reflection about the nature of mission and about expectations for missional outcomes. Using the stories of team members within the Eden Network (which emphasises an ''incarnational'' approach to urban mission) the book demonstrates that at its best, mission happens in a shared life rather than being about ''us'' telling the listening world.A timely and provocative call to churches, missional groups, those involved in ''Fresh Expressions'' and other creative models of community-based church and those traininTrade Review"Drawing deeply on her research as a participant observer and her engagement with resources from many different disciplines, and illustrated with many stories, Anna Ruddick offers a perceptive, challenging and encouraging reinterpretation of the complexity, struggles and joys of mission in marginal places. This book has the potential to help bridge the gap that is often present between missional practitioners and those who deploy and support them, and to help practitioners better interpret and value their own experiences." -- Stuart Murray-Williams, Author 'Post-Christendom'"This is a fabulous book of stories, new insights and challenges to our received way of thinking about mission. Anna tells us that mission does not work the way we so often think it does. Through compelling story as well as fresh and deep theological insights, Anna explores mission at the margins in an urban context. She finds that this is a place of new life where our ideas about God, mission and the world can be challenged and reshaped. “Messy, slow and complicated” – Anna courageously names and engages with the reality of mission today." -- Cathy Ross, Church Mission SocietyAnna brings a gift to urban practitioners - the gift of being heard and understood - and offers a new language to use to describe our experiences. I would recommend this to practitioners, theologians, students and anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the realities of urban ministry, and the deep learning that is happening there. -- Chris Lane, St Mellitus College, UKIn a church where the words mission and transformation have become ubiquitous, Anna asks deep and searching questions about what we really mean by these words. Full of real life stories, sensitively and skilfully interpreted, this book has both affirmed me in my calling and ministry while also challenging my perspective on life and helping to grow my faith. -- Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester

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Book SynopsisNicky Cruz is known by millions through Run Baby Run, the dramatic book and film of his early life, which told of his transformation from New York''s most feared gang leader into one of the world''s most famous and effective evangelists.Soul Obsession presents a fascinating new insight into the Nicky Cruz of today. It tells stories of his family background and the people and experiences that have fundamentally shaped his faith and thinking, and explains how and why he is still totally devoted to God''s calling.Nicky then asks whether YOU have what it takes to make a difference. Having a Soul Obsession requires: PASSION, for Jesus; MERCY, to see people through Jesus'' eyes; and VISION, to know the purpose God has for your life.Soul Obsession is packed with miracles, passion, challenge and drama. It will excite and inspire all with a heart for Spirit-led evangelism.

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Book SynopsisUpdated edition of the international bestsellerTrade ReviewPoor and desperate lives transformed by the power of love shown in deed and truth. Sarah has lived what Jesus preached. * Jackie Pullinger *

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Book SynopsisThis major textbook is a newly researched historical study of Evangelical religion in its British cultural setting from its inception in the time of John Wesley to charismatic renewal today. The Church of England, the Church of Scotland and the variety of Nonconformist denominations and sects in England, Scotland and Wales are discussed, but the book concentrates on the broad patterns of change affecting all the churches. It shows the great impact of the Evangelical movement on nineteenth-century Britain, accounts for its resurgence since the Second World War and argues that developments in the ideas and attitudes of the movement were shaped most by changes in British culture. The contemporary interest in the phenomenon of Fundamentalism, especially in the United States, makes the book especially timely.Trade Review'... an invaluable history ... this volume will stimulate debate and provide a point of reference for all future work in the field.' - Times Higher Education Supplement'An outstanding contribution to the history of the movement ... It will become an invaluable textbook for students and a useful resource for specialists.' - Anvil' ... this book can fairly claim to have made itself indispensable.' - Journal of Religious HistoryTable of Contents1 Preaching the Gospel: The Nature of Evangelical Religion 2 Knowledge of the Lord: The Early Evangelical Movement 3 A Troubling of the Water: Developments in the Early Nineteenth Century 4 The Growth of the Word: Evangelicals and Society in the Nineteenth Century 5 Holiness unto the Lord: Keswick and its Context in the Later Nineteenth Century 6 Walking Apart: Conservative and Liberal Evangelicals in the Early Twentieth Century 7 The Spirit Poured Out: Springs of the Charismatic Movement 8 Into a Broad Place: Evangelical Resurgence in the Later Twentieth Century 9 Time and Chance: Evangelicalism and Change

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Book SynopsisReggie McNeal's bestseller The Present Future is the definitive work on the "missional movement," i.e. , the widespread movement among Protestant churches to be less inwardly focused and more oriented toward the culture and community around them.Trade Review"Let me say this outright: This book is a must-read for Jesus-Creeders." (Beliefnet.com)Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network xi Introduction xiii 1 The Missional Renaissance 1 2 Missional Manifesto 19 3 Missional Shift 1: From an Internal to an External Focus 41 4 Changing the Scorecard from Internal to External Focus 67 5 Missional Shift 2: From Program Development to People Development 89 6 Changing the Scorecard from Measuring Programs to Helping People Grow 111 7 Missional Shift 3: From Church-Based to Kingdom-Based Leadership 129 8 Changing the Scorecard from Church-Based to Kingdom-Based Leadership 157 Conclusion 177 Notes 183 The Author 187 Index 189

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Book SynopsisA new brand of apostolic ministry for today's world The Permanent Revolution is a work of theological re-imagination and re-construction that draws from biblical studies, theology, organizational theory, leadership studies, and key social sciences.Table of ContentsAbout the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series xiii Foreword by Darrell L. Guder xv Preface: A Briefing for the Journey xix Introduction: The Crisis of Infertility and What to Do About It xxvii Part One Ephesians 4:1–16: Frameworks for Ministry 1 Activating the Theo-Genetic Codes of APEST Ministry 3 2 An Elegant Solution: Distributed Intelligence in the Body of Christ 27 3 Better Together: The Synergy of Difference 55 4 Missional Ministry for a Missional Church: A Church Where Everyone Gets to Play 73 Part Two Apostolic Ministry 5 Custody of the Codes: Mapping the Contours of Apostolic Ministry 97 6 Come Back, Peter; Come Back, Paul: The Relation Between Nuance and Impact 119 7 Living from the Center: Apostolic Ministry and the Renewal of Christianity 137 Part Three Apostolic Leadership 8 The Enterprise of Movement and the Movement of Enterprise 159 9 The Spirit of Innovation: Creating New Futures for the Jesus Movement 183 Part Four Apostolic Organization 10 Movements R Us: Thinking and Acting Like a Movement 205 11 Apostolic Architecture: The Anatomy of Missional Organization 227 Conclusion 249 Afterword by Mike Breen 251 Appendix: A Question of Legitimacy: The Restoration of the Apostolic Ministry 255 Notes 273 The Authors 307 Index 309

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Book SynopsisExamines contemporary Passion plays, biblical theme parks, Holy Land recreations, creationist museums, and megachurches in order to understand how they serve their evangelical believer-users while also shaping larger cultural and national dialogues. The book examines how performative media support specific theologies and core beliefs by creating sensual, live experiences for those who use them.Trade ReviewAn engrossing and richly detailed study of the way evangelicalism performs itself—and its adherents—into being by intimately recoding participants’ bodies, feelings, and yearnings. The book deserves a wide and appreciative readership in religious studies, theatre and performance studies, affect studies, and media studies as well.” —Ann Pellegrini, New York University

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Book SynopsisOffers an intriguing new perspective on the outreach strategies of U.S. evangelicals. Author John Fletcher frames these activities, from door-to-door proselytising to the spirited sermons of superstar televangelists, as examples of activist performance, broadly defined here as acts performed before an audience in the hopes of changing hearts and minds.

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Book SynopsisThis study of the conversion of tribal peoples to Christianity combines case studies with the contributors' theories, challenging anthropologists and sociologists to reassess the varieties of religious experience and the convergent processes involved in religious change.Table of ContentsRobert W. Hefner, Introduction Howard Clark Kee on the Early Church Terence Ranger on Southern Africa Robert W. Hefner on Java William L. Merrill on Mexico Donald K. Pollock on Amazonia John Barker on Papua, New Guinea Aram A. Yengoyan on Australia Charles F. Keyes on Thailand David K. Jordan on China Peter Wood, Afterword

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Book SynopsisLooks at the language of the chastity movement and discovers a savvy campaign that uses sex to 'sell' abstinence. Drawing from interviews with evangelical leaders and teenagers, this title examines the strategy to shift from a negative 'just say no' approach to a positive one: 'just say yes' to great sex within marriage.Trade Review"An excellent qualitative examination of how religious persons make sense of their sexuality within contemporary society." -- Kelsy C. Burke Sociology Of Religion "Making Chastity Sexy is important and perceptive in a profound way... Brilliant." -- Frank Schaeffer Huffington Post "Making Chastity Sexy offers a convincing critique ... will appeal to a broad audience." Sociology Of ReligionTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Abstinence, AIDS, and Evangelicals: An Introduction 1. From Abstinence to Purity: The Changing Tropes of Chastity 2. Of Purity Rings and Pop Stars: Using Sex to Sell Abstinence 3. "Someday My Prince Will Come": The Fairy-tale Narrative and Female Power 4. Disciplining Sexuality: How American Evangelical Youth Are Committing to Abstinence--and Sticking with It 5. The Fractured Fairy Tale: When True Love Doesn't Wait 6. Fearing God, Not AIDS: Abstinence in Africa 7. The Condom Conflict: Saving Lives or Promoting Promiscuity? 8. What's Not So Great about Great Sex Appendix: List of Interviewees Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisLooking at American Christianity in relation to globalization, this book shows that American Christianity is increasingly influenced by globalization and is, in turn, playing a larger role in other countries and in US policies and programs abroad. It refutes that US churches have turned away from the global church and overseas missions.Trade Review"A clear and systemic discussion of a topic that has too often been dominated by polemics." -- Timothy Renick Christian Century "Compelling... a vivid portrait of the interaction between American Christianity and the rest of the world and the future of this relationship." Foreword "Wuthnow's latest sociological masterpiece." -- Richard Fox Young Theology Today "An erudite and readable account." Publishers Weekly "Offers an abundance of interesting and highly relevant material... Like [Wuthnow's] earlier works, Boundless Faith can be recommended without hesitation." Journal American Academy Of Religion/ Jaar "Eminent" Books & Culture: A Christian Rvw "Wuthnow's thoughtful and sometimes surprising treatment of available data-statistics about membership, mission, and growth in Christian communities-makes it clear why this kind of scholarship matters." -- Marilyn McEntyre Sojourners: Faith, Pol & Culture "[Wuthnow] brings something different to the field of study." -- Todd Johnson Church History Stds In Christiany And CultureTable of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. At Home and Abroad The Changing Contours of American Religion 2. The Global Christianity Paradigm From Cultural Connection to Demographic Distance 3. Four Faces of Globalization Debating Heterogeneity and Inequality 4. The Evolution of Transnational Ties Changing Patterns of Social Organization 5. The Global Role of Congregations Bridging Borders through Direct Engagement 6. Faith and Foreign Policy Does Religious Advocacy Matter? 7. The Challenges Ahead Good for America, Good for the World? Appendix Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThrough two years of ethnographic fieldwork at a megachurch, sociologist Sarah Diefendorf investigates the ways in which the evangelical church is working to grow during a time in which cultural shifts are leading young people to leave religion behind. In order to expand, the church has revisited topics long understood as external threats to the organization, such as feminism, gender equality, racial inclusivity, and queer lifetopics Diefendorf classifies as the imagined secular in the minds of evangelicals. The Holy Vote shows, however, that the church continues to uphold already privileged identities even as it reworks its messages to appear more welcoming, offering insight into how White evangelical understandings about sex and families have shaped a political movement that has helped remake the Republican Party and transform American politics. In this enlightening work, Diefendorf highlights the complex origins of these understandings and considers their intersections with contemTrade Review"A keenly perceptive ethnographic study. . . . it should attract a wide range of readers, not just those interested in sociology of religion or White evangelicals, but anyone interested in the endurance of social inequalities." * Social Forces *Table of ContentsContents Acknowledgments 1. Good and Godly in Trump’s America 2. The Fear of Religious and Cultural Decline 3. The Imagined Secular: Confronting Feminism, Gender, and Family Life 4. White Evangelicals: Emotion Work and Racial Inequality 5. Sacred Sex: Marriage and Heterosexuality 6. We Aren’t the Extremists: Same-Sex Marriage and Changing Ideas of Sin 7. Enduring Inequalities in Unsettled Times Appendix A: Navigating Prayer, Positionality, and Institutional Review Appendix B: Participant Overview Notes References Index

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