Day: December 23, 2015

PODCAST: Truth about Muslims

Source: Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies

Since 9/11, people are asking “What is really going on in the Muslim world?” “Is the media giving us the whole picture?” “Do we have reason to fear?” And as Christians, “How should we respond?”

A little over a year ago the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies launched a weekly podcast designed to equip listeners to think critically about media, Muslims, and the mission of God.

The podcast is engaging, conversational, and offers great food for thought. While many episodes deal with current events, I also loved the story of Cash and Ann Godbold and their work among Tuareg nomads which began decades ago.

» Learn more, listen, or subscribe to Truth about Muslims. Other mission-oriented podcasts which we’ve mentioned previously include Engaging Missions and the Global Missions Podcast. What would you add to the list?

ARTICLE: Best Missions Books of 2015

Source: Catalyst Services, December 2015 Postings

Check out these 14 books and the reasons why they were nominated as “must reads” for church missions mobilizers.

Discipling

  • One Thing: a Gospel-Centered Life on Mission, Ben Harrell
  • Jesus Continued, by J.D. Greear

Missionary Sending and Care

  • Well Sent, by Steve Beirn
  • Senders: How Your Church Can Identify, Train, and Deploy Missionaries, by Paul Seger
  • The Sending Church Defined, by Jack Bradley
  • Mind the Gaps, by David Wilson

Generosity

  • Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life, by R. Scott Rodin
  • Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
  • Helping Without Hurting In Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

Trends

  • Millennials in Ministry, by Jolene Cassellius Erlacher
  • Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History Is Shaping Our World, by Doug Saunders

Other books

  • Great Commission, Great Compassion, by Paul Borthwick
  • Expect Great Things, by Marvin Newell
  • Farewell, Four Waters: One Aid Worker’s Sudden Escape from Afghanistan, by Kate McCord

» Read more about these books and why they were nominated as “must reads” for church missions mobilizers. Most but not all came out in 2015. A big thanks to editor Ellen Livingood and the mission leaders who contributed to this helpful list. We had read and reviewed several and wondered about others, but missed some of them all together.

» Learn more or subscribe to Postings, a free, monthly newsletter of practical articles in church missions mobilization.

ARTICLES: A Year of Practical Mobilization

Source: Missions Catalyst

Did you miss any of our 2015 Practical Mobilization articles? Check them out through the links below or browse all the Missions Catalyst archives.

  • January: The Power of Slacktivism: Inviting Thousands to Take Their Next Step
  • February: Sowing among the Seedless: Learning to Love Jesus among the Unengaged
  • March: Safe, Significant, and Cheap: Middle School Missions Experiences that Work
  • April: Become a Smaller Target: Seven Ways Short-termers Can Lower Their Profile, Not Get Robbed, and Return Home Alive
  • May: Too Many Needs. Too Little Time (and) Don’t Let Media Wreck Your Mission Trip
  • June: Engaged, Unengaged: What Can You Do for Those Waiting for Their Day to Come?
  • July: Beware the Florida of the Mind: Your Story Is Still Being Written
  • August: What’s Your Status, Gladys? Setting a Course for Global Engagement
  • September: Saying “Yes” to the Pope: Could You or Your Church Host a Refugee Family? (and) Family Mission Trips
  • October: Through The Eyes of Spies: Five Lessons for When You’re Overwhelmed by the World
  • November: Your Service Has Mattered: Honoring the Faithful, Retiring Heroes of the International Mission Board
  • December: “We Though We were Going to Die”: The Story of One Refugee (and) Starting Spiritual Conversations