Missions Blog for Churches

The following is a book review on Why We Love the Church: In praise of institutions and organized religion, by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck. I wrote this for an edition of MTW’s InVision periodical, and it had to be edited in half for it (because I wrote 1000 words before I asked and found out that they wanted only 500 words). Thanks to a gracious editor! It is certainly more readable and probably a little less edgy. I thought I would post the entire, original review here for any who may want to read it. I can save you the time and just tell you to get this book and read it yourself. It is very easy to read and is probably the quickest I’ve ever read any book. You’ll laugh more than once. I promise. I honestly hope every RUF campus minister gets a stack of these books and hands them out like candy (and if you are one and are interested, contact me so I can help you with the hook up at Moody). I hope every young adult SS teacher either reads the book so he can understand where his people are. And everyone else, because if we’re all honest, we have all at one point or another been fed up with the church.

Why We Love the Church
In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion
By Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck

There was really one thing that compelled me to read this book. On the front cover is a quote by J.I. Packer that states, “Bible-centered, God-centered. As I read, I wanted to stand up and cheer.” That excited me, kind of like getting to see E.T. when I was an eight-year-old-kid. Anything that makes J.I. Packer want to stand up and cheer excites me.

The book isn’t my normal staple of reading, although I’d probably read more if it were. The style is witty and the content meaty. It may not be as appreciated by those preceding Generation X, but almost certainly will by those in it and younger.

Its subject is the church (visible). I don’t think any Christian would say they don’t like the Church (invisible). And after writing Why We’re Not Emergent, this subject is an appropriate follow-up. There is a growing trend in American Christianity to abandon the local church in its current form and discover new ways to “be the church,” like, “three guys drinking pumpkin spiced lattes at Starbucks talking about the spirituality of the Violent Femmes and why Sex and the City is really profound.”

But I must admit that what I was thinking about as I started reading were all the reasons I was frustrated with the church. My wife and I went through a period where we were ready to give up on the church. Seriously. We didn’t tell people, but the hurt we’d experienced by those in the church was so deep and had affected our lives to the point that we felt like we weren’t even the same people we once were (we honestly thought our lives had been ruined). This was enough to make us discuss what our options were when it came to church. By God’s grace, he didn’t allow us to forget His Word. But I say that to let you know that this book was personal, in a very unexpected way.

The style of the book reminded me of a favorite series of mine, Calvin and Hobbes. It is full of blunt honesty and sarcasm. But it isn’t complete cheekiness. I haven’t underlined/highlighted a book this much since I read a different Calvin. This was true more of Kevin’s chapters than Ted’s, but that is no slight to Mr. Kluck.

Kevin is the pastor and Ted is the layperson. They are both excellent writers, but Ted is the professional. Although he isn’t stacking theological bricks the way Kevin does, his writing is no less meaningful. It’s mostly anecdotal, yet illustrative of what they are, together, trying to communicate about why church is essential for the Christian (and isn’t an option to be discarded at will). Reading this book is kind of like having a multi-course meal (Kevin’s chapters) with a round of dessert between each course (Ted’s chapters).

If space weren’t an issue, I would share at least sixty-eleven quotes (ask someone under fifty if that doesn’t make sense). So here are just a couple of notables. If you’re still not sure you want to read this book, go to the bookstore and turn to page 13. Start reading the Mad Lib at the bottom. The cashier will be handing you your receipt before you finish it.

The book confronts the church’s mission and the fact that many are leaving the church (or are embarrassed by the church) because she isn’t doing enough. But the authors carefully point out that the direction many are headed, who describe themselves as missional, is no different from the world and these issues are really not difficult to support. “When young people talk about the church getting involved in social justice, they almost always have in mind sex trafficking, oppression and death in Darfur, AIDS, or some other social cause.” DeYoung continues, “Most of their causes demand nothing of us Christians except psychological guilt and advocacy…the problems are almost always far away and the solution involves other people caring more.” And then the charge, “let’s make sure as Christians that our missional concerns go farther than those shared by Brangelina and the United Way.” His point? Let’s make sure we get to the Gospel.

Finally, I said the book was personal. It may seem contradictory to share this quote and tell you it convicted me, but the Epilogue (a discourse on original sin) may help explain. DeYoung writes, “in our hypertherapeutic culture, we all need to realize that sometimes being in touch with our pain and being real about our doubts and authentic about our struggles is a form of narcissism and self-absorption more than maturity. We could all use a little less complaining and a little more gratitude.” Ouch.

It’s not a spoiler for me to tell you that the consensus of DeYoung and Kluck is that we not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The church is biblical, and they make a strong case for it. If you don’t think this defense is necessary today, you would do well to read the book. It is a reactionary book, so there are some hyperbolic tendencies. Some may criticize this. I think it works.

I think everyone in Generation X and younger (the under 50 crowd) would benefit greatly from reading this. It will help church leaders think critically about shepherding the flock, and particularly how they can avoid the temptation to become another marketing machine. For lay people, it will give them a concise ecclesiology as well as help them “to be careful that their disillusionment does not become an idol, [and] that they do not find their identity in being jaded.”

Additionally, missionaries and missions leaders in the church have a lot to gain from this book. Although the context is the American church, the issues are not limited to America. And the answers given by DeYoung and Kluck are universal because they are biblical.

Click here to order this book or read further reviews of it on Amazon.com.

The starting point in mobilizing a church for missions is education. All Christians should be aware of the biblical imperative of cross-cultural missions, how God is working through missionaries, and what other cultures are like. The Holy Spirit uses this information to draw his people into service and support of world evangelization. The following are some of the many ways missions leaders can encourage their congregations to become more educated about the Great Commission. Using a creative variety of topics and venues throughout the year will keep missions education fresh.

Biblical Basis for Missions
A missions ministry that glorifies God must be biblically grounded. Further, there is no better way to capture people’s hearts for missions than to show them from the Bible how passionate God is towards extending his kingdom. The article in the Laying The Foundation series entitled The Great Commission in the Scriptures or Global Missions—Our Theological Foundations that follows here are good places to begin. This material could be copied and distributed to Sunday Schools, small groups, session members, etc. or adapted for a sermon. Mission to the World has also prepared an introductory missions curriculum called The Gracious Commission. This is a series of four interactive lessons on the biblical basis for missions, written from the perspective of grace rather than guilt or need. You can use just one or all four of the lessons in a small group or Sunday school.

Missionary Stories
People relate more to a person than a concept, so you will want to introduce your members to current and former missionaries. Such relationships will help them see that missionaries are just normal people, with similar struggles and weaknesses. Their stories of life and ministry in a different culture will help make missions real to your church. As you introduce your congregation to missionaries, be sure to identify those whose purpose and placement you endorse, as you are implicitly affirming their particular work by arranging a presentation.

Cultural Awareness
The world is a fascinating place, and every missions minded person has a God-given sense of adventure. Develop events that showcase particular cultures through a variety of senses, including visual presentations that depict people and places, meals that introduce members to local tastes and smells, and cultural objects that people can touch. Showing foreign movies is an excellent way to provide insights into other cultures. You can also promote homestay visits, where people from other countries stay in members’ homes for a brief period.

Cross-cultural Issues
Members will be interested in hearing about issues that missionaries face in another culture, and how national Christians live out their faith. Arrange presentations on topics such as how missionaries adjust to living in a new culture, how honor and shame dominate Asian and Middle Eastern values, or how Christians are oppressed or persecuted in many countries.

Forums
Most successful missions ministries host an annual missions conference, with the primary purpose of educating and mobilizing the church for missions. In addition, keep missions in front of members throughout the year by arranging various forums that are smaller and/or a single meeting. Open up a home for an evening with a missionary, arrange a panel discussion on a particular topic, pray for the persecuted church in a special service, or direct members to regional missions conferences. Or arrange a “Meeting For Better Understanding” (see Muslims and Christians at the Table below for more information) with local Muslims.

Missions Books
The following books are some of the excellent material on missions. Make these available to your members, give them to leaders, and/or host a missions book club.

This article is available in .pdf format for easier reading and printing by clicking here.

by, Paul W. Taylor

In Protestant circles we are familiar with the story of the Antioch Church and how that great church sent out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries going to the west of Antioch as far as Europe. We’re quick to credit these early missionary efforts with enabling the gospel to reach Europe and ultimately North and South America. There is, however, a significant movement of the gospel eastward that is relatively unknown to most Protestant church members.

Dr. John M.L. Young, who served in Japan under Mission to the World’s predecessor, World Presbyterian Missions, has written a scholarly book on the missionary movement to the East. It is fascinating to read about these committed missionaries who carried the gospel 6,000 miles by foot as they went to China and beyond. Churches and seminaries were developed all across what we know today as Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. More than 100 missionaries were sent into China from the year A.D. 636 onward for the next 150 years. These mission efforts brought the Good News to Japan as early as A.D. 603. Relics from these early efforts have been found in Java (Indonesia), Sri Lanka, Japan, and extensively in the countries mentioned above. It is estimated that, due to these massive missionary efforts, the number of believers east of Jerusalem was significantly larger than that going westward. (click here to continue reading this article)

The following is a book review of When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor…and yourself. You can find out more about this book at www.whenhelpinghurts.org and can order it online here.

When Helping Hurts is a compelling book that will be a significant help to the Church for years to come. The first chapter alone is worth the cost of the book and ought to be read by every church leader in every ministry category. This is not just a book for the missions committee (although it ought to be required for everyone involved in missions) or the Outreach Director, or the pastor. I think every Christian in America would benefit. Most evangelicals would be rattled.

There are several benefits from this book. Since most people read book reviews to try and determine whether they want to buy and read the book, let me mention those benefits.

It doesn’t just pick on the Church or her leaders. This book is personal; it will pick on you. It was deeply convicting to me as I read it. I realized that as many times as I have been moved by stories about the fatherless and the widow, the poor and the sick, I am not purposefully living for my life, and leading that of my family, to intersect with these members of society. I have forsaken the needy by my enslavement to convenience and stuff. My house is conveniently situated away from poverty. I hardly see the needy. And then there is my busyness. All my important tasks that keep me far away spending myself on “behalf of the hungry” (Is. 58:10) are often where I find my own significance and worth. I am convicted that although I hold to the position that all humans are created in the image of God, I don’t live as such. And I realize that I do have a god-complex (although every time I read that phrase in the book, my first reaction was, “No I don…..okay, I do. I do.”).

The authors are not writing from lofty chairs in academia. They pen their own confessions. One of my favorites is, “I confess to you that part of what motivates me to help the poor is my felt need to accomplish something worthwhile with my life, to be a person of significance, to feel like II have pursued a noble cause…to be a bit like God…I sometimes unintentionally reduce poor people to objects that I use to fulfill my own need to accomplish something. it is a very ugly truth, and it pains me to admit it, but ‘when I want to do good, evil is right there with me’ (Rom. 7:21).” [p. 65] They also give a number of examples that show where they blew it. This communicates not only humility, but also a sense that there’s a bit of a journey involved. Helping the needy will never become neat, clean and orderly.

This book is highly biblical, both in its use of Scripture for application as well as in developing a theory of poverty that serves as the framework. You won’t be able to get past a few pages at any point in the book without being confronted by biblical truth (and a helpful reference). And it does not do what many books on this subject do, namely, present steps and practices for alleviating poverty dissected from the Bible as the source of these truths or from the Holy Spirit as the source of divine power. Rather, the authors continually remind you of the authority of Scripture and our dependency on the Holy Spirit for power and guidance in the journey. One good example is early in the book, as the authors lay the groundwork for the importance of relationships in assisting the poor and sick. They take the reader back to the relationship in the Godhead, the Trinity. And from there they expand and explain how ministry flows through relationships. The poor are not going to be helped, without hurting them, if we just conduct drive-by ministry.

This book is also highly practical. The authors not only explain best practices and steps to take, but they give examples of what they might look like. And they also offer gracious critiques of benevolent practices that many of us have followed. The strange thing is that while reading many of the critiques, the thought ran through my head, “That always seemed a little unwise to me.” You’ll finish with not just new techniques, but will actually have an understanding of why some things work and some don’t.

Many in the church will want to read this because of their local outreach. But this book is just as important for global outreach. In my job, I am continually laboring to help churches understand the importance of their short-term trips not becoming drive-by (or fly-by) ministries. Feeding the poor is wonderful. Caring for the orphan is beautiful. Both are biblical. But to be the best these ministries can be, both need to be in the context (connected to) a sustainable ministry. Biblically, you can’t escape the fact that this is the church. Ministries that are conducted apart from the church die when their leadership dies (or moves, or changes strategies, or gets new vision, etc…). They are simply not sustainable. But when ministry is conducted in and through the church, there is lasting fruit. New believers are folded into that work. And when the US worker (or partnering church) leaves, the church will continue the ministry.

I don’t get to read a ton of books, but this is one that has so impacted my thinking and stirred my heart, that I am encouraging everyone to read it. It’s one of those books. I’ve got a stack of copies with me for my next journey to share with folks. I think it will disturb you too, in the best way possible. Order When Helping Hurts online.

by Bill Yarbrough

Reading Jerram Barrs’ book The Heart of Evangelism has been like a breath of fresh air for me, for a few reasons. The first is that evangelism has been so much a part of my life since my early days in the Jesus Movement. So I consider tools and perspectives that feed and equip the Church for that task to be gifts. Secondly, the book is rooted deeply in a Reformed and covenantal view of Scripture and the world—something I never had (or at least didn’t understand) in those early years. And thirdly, I love what Barrs writes in the first sentence of his introduction: “This is more than 30 years of reflection on what the New Testament teaches us about evangelism; and it is the fruit of more than 30 years of desiring to practice in some poor way what I have learned from that study.” It’s this kind of personal insight that makes this book sing.

There is an emphasis on the Spirit in this book that scratches an itch many of us have in our work around the globe. There has been a tendency to either ignore or minimize the Spirit’s work in many aspects of our ministries, mostly I believe in reaction to the extremes witnessed in parts of the charismatic and Pentecostal streams of the Church…continue reading this article from InVision.

A pastor recently contacted me for some book suggestions as his church prepared for their annual missions conference. I thought it might be helpful to put some of the links here as well. Know that this is not an endorsement of every book on these sites, or even the ministries themselves. But these are certainly tools that can be used in any evangelical context, and a Reformed worldview can certainly be expressed through them.

I think stories are particularly compelling, and connect with many people who will never really take interest in theories. There are a few on our “books” page (which you can find here):

Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot, Elisabeth Elliot
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, Elisabeth Elliot
Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot
C.T. Studd, Norman Grubb
Bruchko, Bruce Olson
Peace Child, Don Richardson
The Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor, Howard Taylor

Another good list is Mongergism’s Book page.

As far as children’s materials, that has been an ongoing need we see in the PCA. There are some folks beginning to develop materials that we know of, but we’d like to find more so we can collect and share with others. There is probably a lot more out there, may not formally prepared, but good stuff and we just aren’t aware of it. As far as books for children:

Amy Carmichael
Corrie Ten Boom
John Patton
Tales of Persia: Missionary Stories from Islamic Iran
Jim Elliot Story – this is actually a DVD; 30 minutes, animated
The Girls and Boys Who Made History series books also have missionary stories in them

Grace & Truth has quite a list of stories and biographies for children on their site. Although not distinctly Reformed, I think there are many useful titles here. I haven’t read/reviewed them personally, but I think you can get a feel for the material from the website.

Another site that is not Reformed, but is evangelical, is Child Evangelism Fellowship. They offer a handful of missionary stories for use in a SS or other class. You can find them online here.

I guess that’s kind of a strange title. But those are some of the topics that are covered in the most recent edition of InVision, MTW’s Newsletter. Steve Collins, MTW’s Director of Spiritual Life, outlines a new part of this department’s ministry. In this article, Steve explains our responsibility as Christians and as a mission agency to prevent child sexual abuse, how to protect and how to respond.

Bill Yarbrough, MTW’s International Director of Latin America and Africa, and Will Traub, MTW’s coordinator for theological training in Europe, write two helpful book reviews. Bill reviews Dick Keyes’ timely book Seeing Through Cynicism. I think this book could help any Christian, but could be especially helpful to church missions leaders who want to care for their missionaries well. Will delves into Richard Bauckham’s Bible and Mission, an investigation into how the Great Commision is a legitimate metanarrative to postmodern hearers. This book will serve churches in understanding better how to impact other cultures, in their neighborhoods and around the world.

In the News Brief, you can read more about the childrens home that has been named for Jan Kooistra and is being built in her memory in India. Jan had a special place in her heart for kids, and especially the fatherless. Although I only met her a few times, I felt like I knew her from Dr. Kooistra’s stories about her during devotions. I grew to have deep admiration for her, and I think this continuance of her heartbeat for the suffering is truly a God-glorifying memorial of His grace in her life.

Finally, you can read a field report about Latvia. Carl & Becky Chaplin are there now, as frontier missionaries in the Baltic Region (at least they’re MTW’s first). They have a great deal of experience and wisdom from their previous missions work, and are gathering a team of others to work with them there. It’s been exciting to watch the process. If you’d like an even closer look at their lives and ministry in Latvia, check out their blog. It is truly one of my favorite missionary blogs. Becky keeps the updates frequent but brief, and uses plenty of photos to help you “see” their lives in Latvia.

by Basil Grafas

I can, when everything lines up well, when I have had sleep and exercise, when things are in the groove, be a pretty good communicator. Conversations are a delight, whether they are with colleagues, foreign brothers or sisters, or my wife. They are effortless. They build me up and take me to wonderful places. Without trying to speak for you, I wouldn’t be surprised if you felt the same way.

Most of the time, however, I am not a great communicator. I even surprise myself at my ability to mishandle relationships, alienate old friends, confuse my workmates, and irritate family members. I would like to be William Shakespeare, but end up sounding like Conan the Barbarian.
Holly Weeks’ book, Failure to Communicate: How Conversations Go Wrong and What You Can Do to Right Them, was predestined for me. As I digested the text, it struck me that every conversational misstep she mentioned is listed in my permanent criminal record. (Click here to continue reading this book review)

by, Bill Goodman

There is a growing body of literature related to the changing face of the worldwide church. This is due to the fact that more Christians now live in what is commonly referred to as the Majority World (comprised of South America, Africa, and Asia) than in the U.S. and Europe. Timothy C. Tennet’s book, Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing How We Think About and Discuss Theology, is a welcome addition to this body of literature. Tennet is professor of world missions at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and visiting professor at Luther W. New Jr. Theological College in Dehra Dun, India. He has taught in India for 20 years and has lived in Europe for three years.

Tennet’s purpose is to pose a timely question: What can we in the West learn from our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, particularly in the area of theology?  Theological reflection is accompanying the advance of the church into new regions. Tennet affirms the point made earlier by Philip Jenkins that the theology of the Majority World, as well as morality, is generally more conservative than what is found in many circles in the West. (Click here to continue reading this review)

Serving As Senders: How to Care for Your Missionaries While They Are Preparing to Go, While They Are on the Field, When They Return Home
by Neal Pirolo

One book that our team regularly shares with pastors and missions leaders as we visit churches is Neal Pirolo’s Serving as Senders. The book is great not only because it tells us what we should be doing, it’s great because of the practicality with which it tells us how we should be doing these things. Pirolo, a missionary himself, brings a perspective that is valid as well as clear to a subject that many churches neglect. It isn’t as if we don’t care. If asked, most of us would exclaim that we do! But for whatever reason we often neglect doing much more than sending support checks.

This book will help churches with established missions ministries as well as those just starting out. The ideas will spawn creativity that will lead you to develop your own new ways of meaningfully ministering to those serving overseas. Even more, the book will help us realize and then remember that the Church is much bigger than our local congregation, and the call to “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world,” is not an or statement but an and statement.

If you’ve got some new ideas of how you or your church has cared for missionaries, why not share them here? I’d love for others to be able to read them, but also to take these ideas as I visit churches in the PCA.

George Verwer, Operation Mobilization
“I strongly believe that this is one of the most significant missionary books of this decade. Unless the Church and God’s people respond to its message, the work of reaching the unreached is going to be greatly hindered. Every committed sender needs to get involved in distributing this book.”

Dr. Ralph Winter, U.S. Center for World Mission
“This key book makes the strategic point that mobilizers–the senders–are as crucial to the cause of missions as frontline missionaries. It is a book just crammed with solid, exciting insights on the most hurting link in today’s mission movement.”

Click here to order Serving as Senders online from Amazon.com.