Overcoming the world missions crisis : thinking strategically to reach the world
Driven by the postmodern shift from authoritative truth to relativism, many modern evangelicals have set foot down the slippery slope that may well spell the end for foreign missions activities sometime in the twenty-first century. There is indeed a world missions crisis. Among the changes in evangelicalism working against world missions are: Seminary training centered on congregational care and counseling at the expense of theology hermeneutics and doctrinal imperatives; Baby-boomers more committed to saving their "Christian society" at home than to salvation of individuals worldwide; Movements of accommodation that set aside the "Christ-alone" doctrine of eternal salvation. As unthinkable as this situation may sound, the contributors -- all recognized experts in missions or theology -- make a compelling case for impending disaster if the current course is not changed. Far from fatalistic, however, this is a positive call for a return to the biblical model for missions and a very practical guide to the issues of career and short-term missionary service. This may well be the watershed book on missions for the next generation. -- Publisher
389 pages ; 23 cm
9780825434662, 0825434661
48524714
pt. 1. The crisis defined
The crisis in missions / Russell L. Penney
The sufficiency of scripture as a foundation for missions theology and practice / Russell L. Penney
The proper place of the study of missions in systematic theology / Albert T. Platt
pt. 2. Key theological concerns: enduring and contemporary
The mission of the church / Russell L. Penney
The sovereignty of God in missions / Michael Pocock
The destiny of the unevangelized / George Hilgeman
The challenge of religious pluralism / Chuck Sutton
The challenge of postmodernism / Steven McAvoy
The necessity of theological training for the missionary / J. Ronald Blue
Women on the mission field / Russell L. Penney
Demonology and the mission field / John F. Hart
pt. 3. Practical matters in missions
Financial support of the missionary / Russell L. Penney
The responsibility of the local church / Russell L. Penney
The role of the mission agency / Albert T. Platt
The missionary's responsibility to the sending church and mission agency / Russell L. Penney
Short-term missions / Jennifer Collins. Appendixes. Short-term mission references
Support-raising letter
Financial needs worksheet
How you can help the Doezel family reach the Guarani people for Christ