Recommended reading: mission

Many of us would like to be better at living a life shaped by the Mission of God, but don’t know where to start.

Sam Moore recommends some books for those wanting to explore what living the Mission of God looks like in both theory and practice.

• The Drama of Scripture: Finding our Place in the Biblical Story by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen (A brilliant overview of the Biblical narrative as a drama in 7 acts, and how it establishes a Christian worldview in which we are invited to play our part)
• Bible and Mission: Christian Mission in a Postmodern World by Richard Bauckham (An examination of biblical mission, the uniqueness of Christianity, and being sensitive to postmodern concerns)
• Servants and Fools: a Biblical Theology of Leadership by Arthur Boers (A provocative and helpful look at Christian leadership and how Jesus modelled a life of service and sacrifice)
• A Time for Mission: The Challenge for Global Christianity by Samuel Escobar (A book that sheds light on how the global church can cross geographical, cultural and social barriers)
• The Symphony of Mission by Michael Goheen and Jim Mullins (An examination of how we can all play our different parts within a wider ‘symphony’ of mission. We’ve found this really useful in designing Find Your Place)
• Abide and Go by Michael Gorman (Drawing from John’s gospel, this shows how Christian disciples become more missional through Jesus and the work of the Spirit)
• Embracing Justice by Isabelle Hamley (Exploring what spirituality shaped by biblical portrayals of justice would look like in the 21st century)
• The Other Side of the Wall by Munther Isaac (A reflection of faith, lament and hope from Palestinian Christians witnessing from behind ‘the wall’)
• The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative by Chris Wright (An award-winning in-depth exploration of how holistic mission forms the basis for the whole Bible)
• Leadership or Servanthood? Walking in the Steps of Jesus by Hwa Yung (In a world of self-seeking, this book reminds us that Jesus showed spiritual authority is connected with service and obedience)

Looking for more or different inspiration?

Praxis, an organisation which began as a collaboration of missional leaders in Dublin (which we are part of) , has produced a summer collection of resources, articles, books suggestions and videos, for those wanting a deep and restorative rest that reminds us of who our Father is and fuels our imagination for His kingdom and church. You can view it by clicking here.

Photo credits: Emil Widlund, Unsplash