Day: September 25, 2013

In This Issue: Eye-opening infographics telling the story of global mission

• NEWSLETTER: Missiographics
• BOOK: Telling the Gospel through Story 
• ARTICLE: Creating Missions “On Ramps”
• BOOK: Internationals Who Live Among Us
• EVENTS: Upcoming Training, Retreats, and Conferences

Source: Global Mapping International

Trying to mobilize people into mission? Thinking through a challenging mission issue? Increasingly our culture is gaining valuable insights from visual presentations of data. Yes, infographics!

This publication will launch in October, but you can get a sample by signing up now. It’s free.

» Subscribe to Missiographics Email Newsletter.

» Note: See how Pioneers used infographic strategies to visually communicate the results of a complex ministry effort.

Source: InterVarsity Press

Telling the Gospel Through Story: Evangelism That Keeps Hearers Wanting More, by Christine Dillon. InterVarsity Press, 2012. 224 pages.

From the publisher’s website: “In an age when prepackaged gospel formulations leave people cold, well-told Bible stories can be used powerfully by God to touch people’s hearts and draw them to himself.

“After ministry in both Western and non-Western contexts, church planter Christine Dillon has discovered that Bible storying is far more effective than most other forms of apologetics or evangelistic presentations. In fact, non-Christians actually enjoyed storying and kept coming back for more. Storying provides solid biblical foundations so listeners can understand, apply, and respond to the gospel, and then go on to fruitful maturity in God’s service.

“This book includes practical guidance on how to shape a good story, how to do evangelism through storying, and how to lead Bible discussions. With particular insights for trainers and those working in cross-cultural contexts, this guide provides you with concrete steps for sharing the Story that everyone needs to hear.”

Outreach Magazine named this book to its list of 2013 Outreach Resources of the Year. The author, an Australian, serves as a church planter in Taiwan with OMF International.

» Preview or purchase this book from Amazon for US$10.45; US$9.93 for the Kindle edition.

» See also the related website, Storying the Scriptures. It includes links, videos, and other helpful resources.

Quotable

“About two-thirds of the Bible is preparation for Jesus. But we have a tendency to jump straight to proclaiming him. After all, we know that Jesus is the most important. Jesus is indeed the central point of the Bible and, indeed, all of history. The problem is that when we go straight to Jesus, most people’s hearts aren’t prepared. We want to proclaim, ‘Jesus is the answer,’ but many people are still asking, ‘What’s the question?'”

Christine Dillon, Telling the Gospel through Story

Source: Catalyst Services

“The variety of missions opportunities has exploded,” says Catalyst Services, introducing the September 2013 edition of the monthly newsletter, Postings. “Some are nearby, others on the other side of the globe. Some last one day, others a lifetime. Some are appropriate for kids, others for youth, young adults, families, or seniors. But how are we getting people out of their seat and into the action? Is your church building multiple on ramps to use the untapped resources of your people?”

Postings talked to three church missions leaders who are creating new missions “on ramps.” Their goal is to mobilize their congregation by matching the gifts and interests of various ages with global opportunities, particularly focusing on fresh ways to connect younger generations.

» Download a PDF of the article.

Source: Emmaus Road International

Internationals Who Live among Us: Doing World Missions at Home, by Neal Pirolo. Emmaus Road International, 2013. 224 pages.

Neal Pirolo, author of Serving as Senders Today, The Reentry Team, and several other works has published a new book dealing specifically with welcoming (and ministering to) internationals. Pirolo divides them into seven distinct groups: international students, undocumented aliens, visitors, business people, refugees, established ethnic communities, and (perhaps surprisingly) returned missionary kids. Each group gets its own chapter in this book.

While much might be said about needs and opportunities within each of these populations, Internationals Who Live among Us provides a good introduction and may help readers with compassion for one group to discover some of the others. Interviews, anecdotes, and observations invite the reader to identify with internationals and consider how they and their churches might better understand and engage with these groups.

The book is directed solely to an American Evangelical Christian audience and written with some eccentricities of style which might put off some readers. It is, though, full of little gems – resources, insights, and practical ideas for becoming personally involved in global outreach without leaving your town.

» Learn more or purchase this book from ERI for US$10.95. It does not seem to be available from other online sources like Amazon. A more extensive review is posted at Worldview Church.

Source: Missions Catalyst Calendar