Missions Catalyst

Gospel Privilege: The Unearned Advantage That’s Meant for Everyone, by David Joannes. Within Reach Global, 2021. 245 pages.

Find yourself with an unearned spiritual advantage—the grace of the gospel?

“This book is a clarion call for the gospel-privileged to stand in advocacy for and in solidarity with the gospel-deprived, to step beyond our borders, even when it’s risky or uncomfortable, and to share the rich privilege of knowing Christ,” says mission mobilizer and ministry leader David Joannes.

There’s a lot in this book. The author weaves together scripture, history, data, quotes from other books, and stories (primarily but not exclusively from people serving with his ministry in East Asia). The author also tackles moralistic therapeutic deism, consumerist and individualistic approaches to Christianity, Christian nationalism, and today’s debates about social justice.

I found chapter two particularly strong; it explains the issue of gospel access and illustrates it with the story of a woman in China whose life was transformed by the gospel. That might be just what you need as you work on a talk, lesson, or sermon on that topic. Chapter five unpacks a biblical understanding of social justice, leaning on recent work from Tim Keller, and brings it to life with a compelling story from the life of an indigenous missionary in East Asia.

Note that the book seems to assume an American readership and directly challenges American Christianity.

To learn more, visit the author’s website. You can get the book from Amazon (or elsewhere). The Kindle edition is US$9.99 while the paperback is selling for US$12.00. Joannes also wrote The Mind of a Missionary.

The Innovation Crisis: Creating Disruptive Influence in the Ministry You Lead, by Ted Esler. Moody Publishers, August 2021. 288 pages.

If you aren’t innovating, stagnation isn’t far away, says Missio Nexus leader Ted Esler. Ministry leaders carry the burden of keeping their organizations lean, focused, and relevant. Using missions disruptor William Carey as an example, Esler shows how you, too, can innovate and change the ministry landscape.

I haven’t read this one yet; it comes out on August 3. I’m wondering how much it might apply to those of us who are not senior leaders or executives. It looks like the book has a long list of endorsements, though, and perusing a substantial excerpt on the publisher’s website makes me want to read the rest of it.

Learn more or download an excerpt from the Moody website. You can get the book from Amazon or elsewhere. The Kindle edition is US$10.99 and the paperback is priced at US$16.99.

Note that innovation is also the topic for this year’s Missio Nexus Mission Leaders Conference in Dallas, TX September 21-23. Registration (limited due to COVID) is full, but you can participate virtually for US$149 (US$99 for Missio Nexus members).

Henan: Inside the Greatest Christian Revival in History, by Paul Hattaway. Piquant Editions, 2021. 345 pages. The China Chronicles series is an ambitious project by Paul Hattaway, founder of Asia Harvest, to document the advance of Christianity in each province of China, decade by decade, from the time the gospel was introduced to the present day. Henan is the fifth volume, and in some ways, the most important, says the author.

With more Christians than any other province, Henan is home to both the most powerful revival and the most intense persecution. Readers may gain insights that will help prepare them for when persecution comes in their nation, says Hattaway.

Like the other volumes, this one draws on sources about Western missionaries you may know, like Howard and Geraldine Taylor and Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth, but it also tells the stories of many loving and faithful Chinese saints you might not hear about otherwise. Note that some of the contents were previously published in a 2009 book by Hattaway called Henan: The Galilee of China.

Visit the Asia Harvest website. You can buy the book there, from Amazon, or elsewhere. The Kindle edition is US$9.99 and the paperback is priced at US$18.00. It looks like the cover copy may vary slightly.

How to Talk to a Missionary, by Maxine McDonald, Unlikely Publications Global, 2021, 28 pages.

You might meet a missionary at any moment. What will you say? Five furry, feathered, and scaly friends have suggestions.

This playful advice guide is written for adults, illustrated for kids. You can see some of the pictures and hear the whole book read aloud in a five-minute video on the author’s website (scroll to the bottom of the page). Pretty fun!

Get the book from Amazon. The Kindle edition is US$7.99 and the paperback is US$11.99.

If visiting missionaries or the ups and downs of missionary life are on your mind, you might want to read about five critical times when your missionary needs your church’s care (Catalyst Services). Good input.

Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar

August 2 to December 5, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). New online classes begin regularly, including a class August 16 to December 19.

August 4, Church and Agency Partnerships (online). Virtual gathering for church mission leaders. Provided by Missio Nexus.

August 5-7, Support Raising Bookcamp (online). From Support Raising Solutions. This one is entirely in Spanish.

August 8-30, Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (Union Mills, NC, USA). Provided regularly by the Center for Intercultural Training.

August 9-13, ABIDE re-entry debriefing for global workers (Joplin, MO, USA). These are now held almost once a month by TRAIN International.

August 10, Practical Tools for Discipleship and Follow-through (online). Webinar from Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.

August 12, Local OR Global vs. Local AND Global (online). Greenhouse workshop for church leaders provided by Pioneers USA.

August 12, Mobilizing the Next Generation (online). Webinar from Sixteen:Fifteen.

August 12, Member Care: Coming Attractions (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

August 23-28, Debriefing and Renewal (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Provided regularly by Missionary Training International.

August 25-28, Field Security Seminar (Lake George, CO, USA). Provided by Crisis Consulting International. Another seminar will be held in the same location, August 30 to September 2.

August 26, Women in the Mission of the Church (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.

August 30-31, Support Raising Bootcamp (Orlando, FL, USA). Similar events held throughout the year in various locations by Support Raising Solutions.

August 30 to September 12, ORIENT pre-field training for global workers (Eminence, MO, USA).

View the complete calendar. Corrections and submissions are welcome.