North American congregations face a deepening crisis of consumer-oriented "selfie missions" and practices based on colonial-era assumptions. Seeking to free congregational mission from harmful cultural forces, this book helps churches better partner with God's work in the world, offering the latest research and practical, step-by-step tools for churches.
The church is a global body of believers called to grow in Christ. Yet too often, it privileges a few voices and ignores the practical dimensions of the faith. Offering a multi-denominational, multi-ethnic vision, this volume brings together biblical scholars, theologians, and practitioners from around the world to pursue a theology and praxis of spiritual formation for the global church.
Now part of the IVP Signature Collection, this landmark work from Gary Haugen offers stories of courageous Christians who stood up for justice in the face of human trafficking, forced prostitution, racial and religious persecution, and torture. Throughout he provides concrete guidance on how ordinary Christians can rise up to seek justice throughout the world.
We live in a multicultural society, but many Christians hesitate to engage those of other faiths about Christianity. Exploring evangelism from the perspective of four major worldviews, Jay Moon and Bud Simon unpack the intercultural dynamics at hand when sharing the gospel across cultures, offering contextual evangelism approaches that are relevant, biblical, and practical.
Human trafficking is one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time. Though renewed interest in this issue among Christians is a wonderful thing, misinformed and misguided efforts can do more harm than good. Written by seasoned leaders and grounded in theology and up-to-date data, this accessible and compelling handbook will educate churches and organizations for truly effective work.
The saving mission of Jesus constitutes the foundation for Christian mission, and the Christian gospel is its message. This second edition of a classic NSBT volume emphasizes how the Bible presents a continuing narrative of God's mission, providing a robust historical and chronological backbone to the unfolding of the early Christian mission.
What does the temple mean for the church's ongoing mission in the world? This ESBT volume examines temple theology throughout Scripture, exploring how this theme relates to Christian life and witness today. God has always desired to dwell among us; now the church must follow its missional call to extend the borders of God's kingdom and take his presence to the ends of the earth.
The Bible was written within collectivist cultures, and it's easy for Westerners to misinterpret—or miss—important elements. Combining the expertise of a biblical scholar and a missionary practitioner, this essential guidebook explores the deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean, stripping away individualist assumptions and helping us read the Bible better.
More Christians live in the Majority World than in Europe and North America. Yet most theological literature does not reflect the rising tide of Christian reflection coming from these regions. Bringing together theological resources from past and present, East and West, this work engages conversations with leading global scholars on theology, faith, and mission for the enrichment of the entire church.
The Latina/o culture and identity have long been shaped by their challenges to the religious, socio-economic, and political status quo. Robert Chao Romero explores the "Brown Church" and how this movement appeals to the vision for redemption that includes not only heavenly promises but also the transformation of our lives and the world.