Baker Academic Church and Mission (3 vols.)

In Developing a Strategy for Missions, two missionary scholars offer readers everywhere an up-to-date discussion of missionary strategy. The authors focus on the biblical, missiological, historical, cultural, and practical issues that inform and guide the development of an effective missions strategy. The book includes tables, diagrams, box inserts, sidebars, chapter summaries, discussion questions, and a list of key terms. Students of global or domestic mission work and mission practitioners will value this new resource.

Churches across the Western world have become increasingly fragmented and marginalized, often struggling to survive. In The Rebirth of the Church, Eddie Gibbs addresses the challenges of reimagining the church in a post-Christian world. He gleans critical biblical insights from the early church’s experience to help contemporary leaders and churches minister more effectively.

Gibbs compares the social and cultural context of the twenty-first century with that of the first century, exploring what can be learned about the birthing of churches in the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters. He identifies the issues Paul faced in order to sustain a movement growing exponentially and considers what lessons might be learned in addressing current challenges in the church. The book examines vital issues not only for the survival of the church, but also for its revitalization and rebirth.

This comprehensive introduction helps students, pastors, and mission committees understand contemporary Christian missions historically, biblically, and theologically. Scott Sunquist, a respected scholar and teacher of world Christianity, recovers missiological thinking from the early church for the twenty-first century. He traces the mission of the church throughout history in order to address the global church and offers a constructive theology and practice for missionary work today.

Sunquist views spirituality as the foundation for all mission involvement, for mission practice springs from spiritual formation. He highlights the Holy Spirit in the work of missions and emphasizes its Trinitarian nature. Sunquist explores these topics from a primarily theological—rather than sociological—perspective, showing that the whole of Christian theology depends on and feeds into missions. Throughout the book, he presents Christian missions as our participation in the suffering and glory of Jesus Christ for the redemption of the nations.