The Changing Face of World Missions

The Changing Face of World Missions
Author: Michael Pocock
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2005-10
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 080102661X

Dramatic changes have taken place in global society and in the church that have implications for how the church does missions in the twenty-first century. This guide helps readers understand these trends.

Rethinking Vocation

Rethinking Vocation
Author: Eric Robinson
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2023-09-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1666757284

What does it mean to be called? How does one discern his or her calling? There has been much discussion about these topics within the church, and perhaps much confusion as well. What if we could root the nature of the believer’s calling and vocation from a missional perspective? This book seeks to understand how a deeper understanding of God’s mission can help believers discern the work to which they are called and equip them for missional witness in and through their work. Importantly, rooting our understanding of vocation and calling in God’s mission gives space for new emphases within the conversations related to faith and work, including theologically and contextually grounded emphases on creativity, vocational freedom, and vocational discernment, along with innovative educational models which can support believers as they navigate their work as participants in God's mission. When believers connect their gifts, talents, and creativity with God's work in and for the world in a way that is contextually relevant, it opens up opportunities for transformative witness for both believers and for the organizations they serve.

The Joy of the Gospel

The Joy of the Gospel
Author: Pope Francis
Publisher: Image
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2014-10-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0553419544

The perfect gift! A specially priced, beautifully designed hardcover edition of The Joy of the Gospel with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” – Pope Francis This special edition of Pope Francis's popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the 21st century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally. Ultimately, Pope Francis demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.” Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel is a call to action to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth. Includes a foreword by Robert Barron, author of Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith and James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

The Church in Mission

The Church in Mission
Author: Betril Ekstrom
Publisher: William Carey Publishing
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2016-06-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 164508213X

What does it mean today to be a church totally committed to the gospel and fully engaged in God’s mission? What major religious and sociological trends in our world are affecting the role of the global church and local churches? How must we understand and be prepared to face these trends? How do we define “church” in the twenty-first century, being faithful to the Scriptures and at the same time relevant to a generation that does not believe in the institutional church anymore? What are some good models of missional churches in different regions of the world that will encourage and inspire those who long to see a church making difference in society and in the world? These are some of the issues that the book you are holding in your hands addresses. There are certainly no final answers and magical forms; rather, we present a broad and deep discussion on how the gospel should be lived out by Jesus’ followers in our time and through our communities. Questions are raised and analyzed both from the perspective of a local church as well as from a global and general understanding of the Christian church. Some of our examples will focus more on local realities, others more on global challenges. The first part of the book is dedicated to a biblical and theological reflection on gospel, church, and mission. It includes Old and New Testament studies on the theological implications of being church, based on the biblical narrative. The second part deals with a variety of contemporary missiological issues related to the broader theme of church and mission. Different perspectives from current discussions and dialogues around the globe are included, covering both ideological reflections and practical aspects of being a mission-shaped church. The third part presents regional and national case studies that show the enormous creativity in church planting and engagement of local communities in their own societies. Models applied in the secularized Europe are contrasted to ways of functioning as church in fast growing congregations in the global South.

For the Fame of His Name

For the Fame of His Name
Author: G W Steel
Publisher: Xulon Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022-09-18
Genre:
ISBN: 9781662850738

Two thousand years ago, Jesus told His disciples, "Go into all the world...". However, since then, times have changed... and the world has changed. Yet, how the church approaches what has come to be called "The Great Commission" has, for the most part, not changed. The task remains unfinished, and there is still much debate about why and how to keep this mission effort going. Just in the last few decades, the church has spent billions on mission projects, and thousands of faithful missionaries have gone out serving under this Great Commission... but to what end? Written for pastors, mission leaders and aspiring missionaries, this volume brings refreshing clarity to the core issues surrounding Christian missions. G. W. Steel offers straightforward biblical exegesis, astute observations, compelling stories and engaging cultural insights gained from nearly 20 years working throughout Asia and the Middle East. Steel summarizes the fruit of the church's mission work and then addresses: What exactly did Jesus teach and expect His followers to do? What was His primary message, and therefore...? What is the church's core mission? How can this mission be successful in our post-Christian, multicultural world? What kind of people are suitable for this mission, and what skills do they need? If you are asking these questions or wrestling with the implications of what Jesus taught and the first apostles practiced, open the pages of this paradigm-shifting book to explore scriptural and culturally relevant answers to these burning issues. Dig in and discover your part in fulfilling God's pleasures for His church and how you can join Him in what He is doing in the world today! G.W. Steel is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus. He is also a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, mentor and avid sailor. Steel lived in SE Asia and has traveled to over 50 countries. He holds a Master's Degree in Organization Development and Training, and is committed to equipping cross-cultural teams from Asia and the United States to proclaim the fame of God's Name in unreached nations.

Re Thinking Missions A Laymen S Inquiry After One Hundred Years

Re Thinking Missions A Laymen S Inquiry After One Hundred Years
Author: William Ernest Hocking
Publisher: Legare Street Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-07-18
Genre:
ISBN: 9781021192424

Re-Thinking Missions is a groundbreaking study of Christian mission and its place in a rapidly changing world. Written by the distinguished philosopher William Ernest Hocking, this volume offers readers a bold and visionary perspective on the role of the church in the modern age. A thought-provoking and inspiring work, Re-Thinking Missions is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of Christianity. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Mission Under Scrutiny

Mission Under Scrutiny
Author: J. Andrew Kirk
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780800638009

What is Christian mission in a world post-everything? This volume is a masterful rethinking of the problems and prospect of the Christian vocation to mission in light of the whole checkered legacy – religious, philosophical, colonial, and economic – of modernity. Kirk draws on his considerable experience of worldwide mission and his expertise in modern Western thought to throw light on all the most burning questions, such as: What kinds of mission initiatives are appropriate today? Is it legitimate to invite adherents of different religions to follow Jesus? What role have Christians played in advocating violence, and also in being agents of peace and reconciliation?