Currently Reading...

I recently picked up a copy of Discovering Missions by Chuck R. Gailey and Howard Culbertson. In this book, the authors explores the meaning, history, biblical and theological foundations of missions in understandable ways. Additionally, mission strategies, challenges to evangelism, cultural awareness, and communication are included to make this book a good introduction to the study of missions.

As a recent seminary graduate with a concentration in missions classes, this book obviously caught my attention. Although intended as an introductory textbook for students, this book has bolded vocab words and reflection questions at the end of each chapter, making it a good a resource for pastors and a study for church laypersons. In other words, it's not just a book for students of missiology.

A quotation in the book from a missionary emphasizes how missions is for every believer, not for a select few. "People think you have to be called to missions. You're already called from the moment you become a Christian."


Other books on my list to read are:

• The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission by Lesslie Newbigin
  
• The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins
• Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright
• Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster
• A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey by Brian D. McLaren