The Missional Mom: Living with Purpose at Home & in the World

by Helen Lee

Publisher:

Moody Publishers

, 2011

Do you see motherhood as a mission and divine calling?

Today's Christian moms come from a full range of personal and professional contexts, whether they are homemakers, full-time workers in the marketplace, or somewhere in between. 

Yet many Christian mothers are living missional lives, using their gifts and abilities to further God's kingdom by engaging the world around them. They artfully, passionately, and sometimes messily juggle multiple callings and demonstrate in their modern-day contexts how they are emulating the woman of noble character in Proverbs 31. 

The Missional Mom will affirm Christian mothers who desire to not only to build their homes in a Christ-like way, but also engage the world with their skills, abilities, and interests. It won't minimize the importance of a woman's role in her home, but it will encourage her to not ignore the stirrings God has planted within her to extend her influence.

Contents

Introduction: The Missional Mom? A New Paradigm for Christian Motherhood

Chapter One: The Missional Mom Understands Her Identity and Calling

Chapter Two: The Missional Mom Understands Her Cultural Context

Chapter Three: The Missional Mom Resists the Status Quo

Chapter Four: The Missional Mom Confronts the Realities of Life

Chapter Five: The Missional Mom Lives With Outward Focus

Chapter Six: The Missional Mom Cares for “The Least of These”

Chapter Seven: The Missional Mom Pursues Racial Reconciliation

Chapter Eight: The Missional Mom Creates Culture

Chapter Nine: The Missional Mom Strives to Raise Missional Kids

Chapter Ten: The Missional Mom Participates In Missional Communities

Chapter Eleven: How Churches Can Encourage Moms to be Missional

Conclusion/Epilogue: A Missional Mom Is Born

Praise for The Missional Mom

"My mother was missional before anyone used the word, but I'm glad Helen Lee has described what mothers have done, are doing and will be doing with this word. This book is informed, laced together with timely and practical stories; the book is biblical and theological -- in other words, this book is a potent mixture that sketches radical, kingdom motherhood".- Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University

"Helen is exactly the kick in the pants I need as a mom. Just when I start to feel comfortable, settled, and dare I say stuck in my little life, Helen Lee comes along to remind me that I was created to be part of what God is doing in the world and I need to sit up and pay attention. By casting a vision of motherhood that includes little details of family life and the big picture of global injustice and suffering, Helen gives moms the encouragement we need to follow God wherever God might lead us". - Carla Barnhill, author of The Myth of the Perfect Mother, co-founder of themommyrevolution.com

“Helen Lee is not only a missional mom, she also is a clear and incisive writer. I’m not a mom, but as a Christian and a dad, I found myself marveling and motivated as I read this book. Now THIS is living!” - Marshall Shelley, editor Leadership Journal

"If you have ever felt your role as a mother is a forgotten one without purpose, this book is for you. The Missional Mom brims with practical examples of modern day heroes who are using their God-given roles as mothers to change the world. Helen Lee inspires all of us, whether or not we work outside the home, to think about how we can teach our children to become kingdom warriors and make a meaningful difference in the world. You will be inspired, challenged and energized to make your home a place of love and service to others. Don’t underestimate the power of women, especially the power of a cadre of mothers, who manage their homes as missional outposts for kingdom work."  -- Arloa Sutter, executive director, Breakthrough Urban Ministries

"I’ve known Helen for nearly two decades. I’ve always been impressed with her insights and reflections. She is a great learner, observer and writer. I’m glad she wrote a book for all of us to be inspired and moved to action! The Missional Mom is a book that challenges us (not just moms!) to embrace radical, counter-cultural followership especially within the environment of our homes. The wonder years of growing families shouldn’t be seen as a time we check out of following God. This is the time we’re in the thick of some of the most intense miraculous, spiritual activities (painful and joyful) of our lives both with God, our spouses, children and others. Helen stirs our imagination to go deeper into who we are called to be in our homes and beyond. She gently calls us out to be unafraid in pursuing purposeful living in practical ways." - Dave Gibbons, author of Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third Culture Church  and XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality (release date in 2011)

"The Missional Mom is a treat for any mom who believes that God has called her to serve beyond the reaches of motherhood. Helen shows us how we can at once be wonderful, loving moms while also serving our wonderful, loving God using the vast and divergent passions and gifts He's given us."-- Caryn DahlstrandRivadeneira, author of Mama's Got a Fake I.D. and co-founder of The Mommy Revolution blog

"We are both convinced that in order to unleash the world transforming power of missional Christianity we are going to need to learn a whole lot more from women. As Helen states, "Women have been the secret weapon in the church since the beginning of its existence, contributing significantly to the progress the church has made in the world." This is an undisputed fact! We look forward to a time when men and women are released to be all they can be in God for the sake of his Kingdom. Helen's book is a wonderful gift to all of us." --Alan and Debra Hirsch, authors of Untamed - Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship.

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"It is easy to understand why moms might lose sight of the purpose and meaning for their lives when life is going by at such a frightening speed. This is a book that reminds women of the adventure of missional living (amidst the daily grind) that God is calling all of us to". - Michael Wallenmeyer,  Missional in Suburbia

"Helen Lee has presented moms and families with a great gift in The Missional Mom. It is a great resource to help women understand and implement a missional life."  - Ed Stetzer, coauthor of Transformational Church

"There is no sphere of human life which cannot find its true end in God’s Mission. Helen Lee, in engaging yet powerful prose, helps us see what this might mean for mothers. Under her careful guidance, we see how the rhythms and struggles of being a mom become subsumed by God’s sovereign purposes for the redemption of the world. I encourage us all who have families (not just moms!) to read this book!" - David Fitch, Reclaimingthemission.com, B R Lindner Chair Evangelical Theology Northern Seminary

 

Product Details

• Title : The Missional Mom: Living with Purpose at Home & in the World
• Author: Lee, Helen
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Publication Date: 2011
• ISBN: 9781575675565

About Helen Lee

HELEN LEE is an award-winning freelance writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience publishing in the Christian market. She is the co-editor of and contributor to Growing Healthy Asian-American Churches (IVP, 2006) and co-founder of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, which runs the annual ¿Best Christian Places to Work¿ survey. Helen has written numerous articles for publications such as Christianity Today, Today¿s Christian Woman, re:generation quarterly and Leadership Journal (LJ). In both 2008 and 2009, her articles for LJ earned Higher Goals awards in reporting from the Evangelical Press Association. As a former editor and writer with Christianity Today, she has worked with or interviewed a wide range of evangelical luminaries, such as Michael Card, J.I. Packer, and Chuck Colson. She is married to classical pianist and Moody Bible Institute professor Brian Lee; together they have three young sons. Helen is also a homeschooling mom and seeks to provide her sons with a classical Christian education; she and her family reside in Chicagoland.

Reviews