“Microenterprise Development” (MED) is the new buzzword in missions today. With evangelical missionaries attempting to present a holistic gospel, economic and business development is now a component of many missions. Yet, MED remains an under-researched topic riddled with far more questions than answers.
There are few phrases more frequently spoken in church and mission circles than “church planting.” There also are few subjects around which ministry mavens work harder to be distinctive.
In our ever-changing, pluralistic world it is more than a challenge to communicate the gospel effectively to others.
“How can we sing the Lord’s Song in a strange land?” This plaintive question was asked by Israel in exile. Gone were the familiar rites and temple, chants and incense, offerings and sacrifices. Where is the “strange land”?
This is a good book, well worth reading. The first four chapters provide an historical overview of evangelical attitudes toward and proclamations about the social dimension of the gospel. The final chapter provides a preliminary evaluation of three basic ethical models for approaching social concerns.
Our transition back to the States has brought great challenges, but through them we have learned valuable lessons.
Acknowledging that the church is at the core of God’s current worldwide program is one thing; knowing how to see the church planted around the world is quite a different story.
“Expectations, expectations, expectations,” we tell our short-, medium- and long-term missionary candidates. Realistic expectations facilitate smoother transitions and generally make for happier missionary life.
Sharpe’s book is a critical assessment of the life and work of the Indian evangelist and missionary “Sadhu” Sundar Singh (1889-1929). This Sikh background believer came to Christ through a vision during his teenage years.
Missionaries’ relationships with their home churches have changed over the past few decades.
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