We have long been aware of the challenge of reaching the unreached peoples of the world. For many this seemed a daunting and almost impossible task. However, with a clear biblical model of church planting, which works in divergent cultural settings, it seems that this may in fact be possible. In A Vision of the Possible, Daniel Sinclair thoroughly covers practical whys and how-to's concerning pioneer church planting among unreached people groups, with applicable discussions from Scripture along the way. Its emphases include resistant environments and church planting in teams. It also includes the newly revised seven Pioneer Church Planting Phases which is widely used by mission agencies working among unreached peoples. Those on the field, and those in preparation, including those in Bible schools and seminaries, will find this book immensely practical. Senders on the homefront will also find it invaluable, as they seek to understand the biblical and concrete issues the friends they support grapple with on a daily basis.
Some time ago, Ralph Winter brilliantly identified three eras of modern missions: Era 1: William Carey focused on the coastlands; Era 2: Hudson Taylor focused on the inlands; Era 3: Donald McGavran and Cameron Townsend focused on unreached peoples. With all the fast and furious changes swirling around us today in twenty-first century missions, have we entered a Fourth Era? If so, who are the people primarily involved? How are they selected? How are they trained? How long do they serve? Has the Third Era ministry focus--reaching the unreached--changed? If so, to what? Are there any successful case studies out there? Have McGavran and Townsend passed the baton to a new leader(s)? If so, to whom? This book seeks to answer these and related questions. Contributors: Dr. Ben Beckner Dr. Monroe Brewer Dr. Don Finley Mike Griffis Dr. Gary Hipp, MD Jerry Hogshead Kaikou Maisu Judy Manna Kenn Oke Dr. A. Sue Russell Dr. Robert Strauss Peter Swann Bryan Thomas Diane Thomas Dr. Mike Wilson Dr. Sherwood G. Lingenfelter
Small new Christian communities created by pioneer ministers, both lay and ordained, are popping up everywhere – on housing estates, in community centres, schools, cafes, among different age groups and in numerous other contexts beyond the local church. This practical book is for all who are engaged in this form of ministry and it begins by identifying some basic principles from a wide variety of creative examples of pioneer ministry. Illustrated with actual examples throughout, it explores • how to ‘listen’ to the physical, social and spiritual environment of a local context • how to discern a community’s needs and the appropriate missional response • how to build a creative team • the art of the start – how to begin well • how to build relationships and create community by acts of authentic love • how to become and stay Jesus-centred • how to live and tell the gospel in meaningful ways • how to grow disciples • how to stay fresh (and avoid rotas!)
A church planter in Cambodia seeks to help Christians reach for greater discernment in missions. He wrestles with some of the difficult issues we face in pursuing the great commission on pioneer fields. Using Scripture and personal experience from fourteen years of cross-cultural ministry, Forrest engages us all in a task that demands thoughtful methods from those going and sending. This book will challenge you to see the link between theology and practice in missions. It will also give you a window into the heart of missionaries serving in unreached places around the world. Be prepared to be challenged and blessed. Endorsements: "Pastors, read Forrest McPhail's book, and then read it again! Future missionaries, memorize it! For this old missionary, Forrest's book was written about 20 years too late. But even old dogs can, by God's grace, learn new tricks, and I've profited greatly from the humble wisdom, practical insight, and gentle rebukes of a man that I consider one of the finest missionaries I know." J.D. Crowley J.D. grew up in Japan and Hawaii. He pastored in Hawaii for 12 years before leaving for Cambodia in 1994. He has served there under EMU International doing linguistic work and training pastors among the indigenous minorities of NE Cambodia. He is the author of The Tampuan/Khmer/English Dictionary and Khmer commentaries on Matthew and Romans. J.D. has also co-authored the book Gospel Meditations for Missions "Forrest McPhail is a first-rate pioneer missionary who has written a compelling work that comprises what he has learned, lived, and taught others. The book unpacks complex cross-cultural issues with clarity and time-earned wisdom, and demonstrates how to interact intentionally with culture in order to be both relevant and faithful to the gospel. Although set in the context of Southeast Asia, this boots-on-the-ground work is a must read for pastors and missionaries everywhere." Kevin Oberlin Kevin is Associate Professor Theology and Cross-Cultural Studies, Bob Jones University and Seminary "Missionaries, pastors, and all believers will benefit immensely from your work. Why? It will give Pastors a great understanding of the minefields of ministry in third world nations. It will give greater focus to churches that take short term mission trips. It will be useful in helping missionaries lay a foundation for their ministries that will be able to stand the test of trial. The writing is bold and filled with principles rooted in Scripture. This book reflects a wrestling with the issues both written in the Word and those experienced in the villages and marketplace. This will help many now and in the future if they would take your counsel to heart!" Matthew Recker Matt has served Christ in church planting ministry in New York City since 1984, establishing churches in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Matt has published three books, including Behold the City! and Living on the Edge of Eternity. Missionaries who "leave maps laying around" for those who are starting their mission journey are commendable. Forrest McPhail did just that--he created a map based on his journey as a missionary in Cambodia for pioneer missionaries (those going to the unreached people groups of the world). His map is as much about understanding the lay of the land and the critical points of the journey as it is about the destination. In other words, through personal stories, biblical observations. and practical insights, Forrest invites his readers to consider strategic elements and issues, such as syncretism, persecution, church discipline, poverty, and much more before they start building a foundation. Thank you Forrest for daring to share. Jean Johnson Formerly a missionary in Cambodia, Jean currently serves as Missionary * Coach * and Executive Program Director for World Mission Associates. She has authored "We Are Not the Hero: A Missionary's Guide for Sharing Christ, Not a Culture of Dependency"
Headlines rage with big stories about big churches. But tucked away in neighborhoods throughout North America is a profound work of hope quietly unfolding as the gospel takes root in the context of a place. The future of the church is local, connected to the struggles of the people and even to the land itself.
Pioneer ministry happens among the 88% of the population that the Church does not reach. Even if the best practices of growing churches were rolled out across every parish, 75% of the population would remain untouched, so pioneer ministry is about doing things differently - literally ripping up the existing manual and starting again. The situation demands urgency, imagination and energy and a good theological grounding which this book sets out to provide. Ordained pioneer ministry is a significant and growing presence in the Church of England and the Methodist Church and in denominations around the world. Here leading practitioners and theologians in the pioneer movement including Doug Gay, Liz Sercombe, Beth Keith, Gerald Arbuckle and others reflect on emerging trends, practices and key theological challenges. They explore how people experience transformation, contextual engagement, dissent as a form of leadership, emerging patterns of urban ministry, whether the language of sin and guilt works today, challenges assumptions about how pioneer ministry is learned and more.
This five-part group study booklet is for local church communities who are contemplating setting up a pioneering church community, but are unsure how to get going. It opens up the wise insights and practical know-how of Dave Male’s book 'How to Pioneer' to the wider church, introducing the basics of pioneer ministry to PCCs and congregations.
