The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People

by Craig Ott

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2019

Overview

In this scripturally rich exploration, senior missiologist Craig Ott unpacks the mission statement of the church: to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. This concise yet robust biblical-theological treatment focuses on God’s glory, a strong ecclesiology, the importance of Scripture, and practical implications for congregational and mission practice.

Ideal for launching discussion and reflection, The Church on Mission helps readers refocus their vision and reignite their commitment to fulfilling God’s purposes for their church or mission. It will be of use in introductory classes on missiology, ecclesiology, and church planting and of interest to theologically minded pastors, missionaries, and laypeople.

Key Features

• Explores the mission statement of the church: to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people
• Helps readers refocus their vision and reignite their commitment to fulfilling God’s purposes for their church or mission
• Focuses on God’s glory, a strong ecclesiology, the importance of Scripture, and practical implications for congregational and mission practice

Contents

• Transformation to God’s Glory: The Source and Goal of Our Mission
• Transformational Communities: The Church as New Creation of the Spirit
• Transformation and the Word of God: The Power of Biblical Truth
• Transformational Influence: Salt and Light in the Community and Beyond
• Transformation for All Peoples: Barrier-Breaking Mission and Inclusion
• Transformation through Multiplication: Filling the Earth with the Glory of the Lord

Praise for the Print Edition

This book certainly lives up to its title and represents a holistic biblical vision for Christ-centered transformation among all people as the central priority of God’s people. Every generation needs to read a book like this, which articulately reminds us of our faith, identity, and purpose.

—Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair, Wheaton College

Craig Ott has given us a carefully researched, thoughtfully written, and passionately presented exposition of the church and its calling. The Church on Mission offers a clear and cogent understanding of God’s people, their work, and their place in the world, doing so in a thoroughly biblical and theologically informed manner at a time when there is great confusion, uncertainty, and ambiguity about the church. Inviting readers to become students of both God’s Word and God’s world, Ott has provided us with a faithful and relevant vision for carrying out God’s calling, God’s commission, and God’s commandment to and for all peoples of the world. Pastors, church leaders, and students alike will be blessed by their interaction with this refreshing, engaging, and highly readable book.

—David S. Dockery, president, Trinity International University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Ott’s book provides a refreshing and thought-provoking new perspective on the mission of the church. He uses rich biblical exegesis to clarify the goal and direction of the church: transformation to extend God’s glory. Transformation as the purpose and goal of the church bridges the divide between often contentious dualities: word/deed, evangelism/social action, collective/individual, local/global. All of these are for a single purpose: the transformation of individuals, of communities, and of societies for God’s glory. Ott moves away from egocentric, personalized spirituality to discipleship with purpose. His book provides a thoroughly readable and biblically founded blueprint for a renewed vision of the church on mission. I will draw deeply from this book as I teach the next generation of agents of transformation.

—A. Sue Russell, professor of mission and contextual studies, Asbury Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People
• Author: Craig Ott
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2019
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 131
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Mission of the church; Missions
• ISBNs: 9781493424252, 9781540960887, 9781540962034, 1540960889, 1540962032, 1493424254
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRCHMSSNBLLPPL
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-16T18:05:10Z

About Craig Ott

B.A., 1974, California State University at Long Beach; M.Div., 1977, Ph.D., 1991, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; church planter/pastor, 1978-80, Faith Evangelical Free Church, Schaumburg, Illinois; missionary, 1981-present, Evangelical Free Church Mission Germany; field superintendent, 1987-96; central Europe church planting consultant, 1997-present; guest lecturer, 1995, Theological Seminary Prague; 1995-present, Ewersbach Theological Seminary, Germany; 1997, Tyndale Theological Seminary, Amsterdam; 1998, Freie Theologische Akademie, Giessen, Germany, 1996-2002. CBS Korntal, Dean, 2000-2002 .