EMQ » July–September 2022 » Volume 58 Issue 3
Mobilizing Movements: Leadership Insights for Discipling Whole Nations (find it on Amazon)*
By Murray Moerman
William Carey Publishing, 2021
290 pages
US$16.56 Paperback; $8.49 Kindle
*As an Amazon Associate Missio Nexus earns from qualifying purchases.
Reviewed by David Haron, (PhD) who serves, with his wife, as the director of Proyecto Puente in Barcelona, Spain, training and equipping Spanish speakers for pioneer ministry among the unreached.
Do you want to catalyze movements of disciples and churches? Not sure where to start? The objective of Murray Moerman’s book Mobilizing Movements is “to provide practitioners a learning community and timeless resource in their long obedience in the same direction of bringing transformation to a nation” (Loc. 420). Moerman helps readers develop the vision, understanding, knowledge, and tools necessary to take the first steps toward mobilizing a movement. For leaders with movement experience, this book will provide new insights, especially pertaining to the DAWN (Discipling a Whole Nation) model.
The first section of the book considers the broad idea of movements and then focuses on practical advice for getting started. In this section, Moerman helps readers understand some of the differences between small and large churches and uses these concepts to differentiate between addition and multiplication. In Part 2, Mobilizing Movements helps readers understand differences between cultures and also describes a variety of different models from around the globe. This section provides illustrations and examples of how “the church, and the way the church makes disciples, is changing” (Loc. 2926).
Moerman starts Part 3 by stating, “Launching a rocket is one thing. Keeping it in orbit is another” (Loc. 2276). This section provides examples and insights on best practices that will help practitioners develop a movement in a way that is sustainable, balanced, and poised for multiplicative growth. This section focuses on a variety of topics ranging from leadership and strategic planning to prayer and action. The last section of the book moves from a national to a global focus. In these chapters, Moerman explains how national movements and networks can join in the greater work of the Church (capital C) towards the fulfillment of the great commission.
One critique of the book is that it doesn’t seem to cater perfectly to the needs of any particular audience. Though it is an excellent resource for those wanting to get started in the work of movements, some chapters will feel niche, advanced, or unnecessary for a beginner. On the other hand, experienced movement practitioners are likely to find a large portion of the book to be rudimentary. This sets up the book to be best utilized as a broad resource for reference rather than a book for a specific audience to read cover-to-cover. Nevertheless, readers will find Mobilizing Movements to be filled with timeless wisdom as Murray Moerman has carefully collected insights from movement leaders around the world.
For Further Reading
Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations edited by Warrick Farah (William Carey Library, 2021)
The Kingdom Unleashed: How Jesus’ 1st-Century Kingdom Values Are Transforming Thousands of Cultures and Awakening His Church by Jerry Trousdale and Glenn Sunshine, (DMM Library, 2018)
EMQ, Volume 58, Issue 3. Copyright © 2022 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.
