Proclaiming Mercy, Practicing Salvation: St. Basil’s Practical Theology of Evangelism and Social Action

Jerry Ireland. Basil of Caesarea (329-379) offers a unique take on the church’s evangelistic and social mandates. He does this by making mercy a frequent topic of his sermons and by locating compassionate action as evidence of salvation. Whereas contemporary debates tend to locate compassion as an outflow of the gospel, or as a byproduct,Continue reading “Proclaiming Mercy, Practicing Salvation: St. Basil’s Practical Theology of Evangelism and Social Action”

How Evangelical Churches in the Chicago Metro Area are Engaging Muslim Communities

Mike Urton. This article is a summary of a larger research project focusing on how evangelical congregations in the Chicago Metro area overcame their hesitations and reached out to the Muslim communities in their locale. It explored a main research question: how are specific local evangelical churches in the Chicago Metro area engaging local MuslimContinue reading “How Evangelical Churches in the Chicago Metro Area are Engaging Muslim Communities”

Book Review on Effective Intercultural Evangelism: Good News in a Diverse World

J. N. Manokaran. Jay Moon and Bud Simon have done a remarkable study of effectively reaching people across cultural differences. Both authors were missionaries, in different countries from each other. They have drawn from their experience and carried out studious academic investigation in writing this book. This book is an insightful book for all Christians whoContinue reading “Book Review on Effective Intercultural Evangelism: Good News in a Diverse World”

Transform: Gospel-Centered Resources for the Local Church

Western Seminary. In our increasingly post-Christian world, our churches need leaders who can communicate biblical truth with clarity and compassion. That’s why we’ve created Transform – a collection of gospel-centered resources from the faculty and friends of Western Seminary. We believe that the good news of Jesus Christ should impact every area of life andContinue reading “Transform: Gospel-Centered Resources for the Local Church”

Leading Through Cultural Conflict

Stephen Stallard. I hope you never have to lead a company facing a race-based labor strike. I hope you never get swept into a racially-driven melee between your neighbors and the police. But I do know, that you will face cultural conflict if you engage in ministry in twenty-first century America. My prayer for you,Continue reading “Leading Through Cultural Conflict”

Leadership Principles for Cross-Cultural Ministry

E. D. Burns. There are so many discouraging, frustrating, and downright miserable experiences unique to the missionary life, but the good news is that you can never improve upon God’s love for you, nor can you do anything to detract from His love for you. The Father delights in you as He does His ownContinue reading “Leadership Principles for Cross-Cultural Ministry”

Global South Reverse Mission in Europe: An Examination of the Limiting Factors and Prospects

Sandro G. de Oliveira. This article offers a critical analysis of the newly emerged missional paradigm called “reverse mission.” Despite the paradigm’s controversial nature, the article argues for its validity in missional discourses. Beginning with a general discussion of the term reverse mission, the discussion moves on to explore the challenges that reverse missionaries encounterContinue reading “Global South Reverse Mission in Europe: An Examination of the Limiting Factors and Prospects”

Global Transmission, Global Mission: The Impact and Implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Jason Mandryk, Operation World. Not all of what I write about is obviously related to mission, at least not in an immediate sense. OW’s publications address not only the missionary endeavour, but the wider Church environment, the religious context, and the social, economic, political, and demographic realities on the ground in every country. In howContinue reading “Global Transmission, Global Mission: The Impact and Implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic”

Polycentrism as the New Leadership Paradigm: Six Common Themes for a Trinitarian Approach to Leading Missions

Joseph W. Handley. As the world becomes increasingly complex and societies become increasingly polarized, the more imperative it is for us to come together. Polycentric Mission Leadership will help us to model Jesus’ prayer: ‘that we might be one’. As we lean into these six themes, drawing from the full spectrum of our mission community,Continue reading “Polycentrism as the New Leadership Paradigm: Six Common Themes for a Trinitarian Approach to Leading Missions”

The Diversity of Muslim Women: Afghanistan and Beyond

Morya Dale. Muslim women today number almost a billion, 12 percent of the world’s population, spread across the globe. When we meet a Muslim woman, who are we meeting? What has been her experience of daily life and faith? Our role is not to make generalizations about those women we encounter and their backgrounds, history,Continue reading “The Diversity of Muslim Women: Afghanistan and Beyond”