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PROFITABLE READING
TO PREPARE FOR MISSIONARY SERVICE
Once a candidate leaves school, one of the tendencies is to lose touch with the missions literature. While in school, we read and are exposed to the best in missions thinking. However, in home service especially, we can be overwhelmed by the different demands on our time. We want to challenge you as a missionary candidate to keep reading. The general bibliography below will help you. Please try to keep reading. Try to keep current.
Beyond books, there are some excellent journals. The most accessible journals are
Evangelical Missionary Quarterly or Pulse
PO Box 794, Wheaton, IL 60189-9908
Mission Frontier
1605 Elizabeth, Pasadena, CA 91104
Other helpful journals are
Missiology
American Society of Missiology
616 Walnut Ave., Scottdale, PA 15683-1999
International Bulletin of Missionary Research
PO Box 3000, Denville, NJ 07834
Consider subscriptions. A journal like EMO helps you keep in touch by means of book reviews. Consider making a reading commitment and plan to further enhance your preparation.
SUGGESTED READING LIST FOR MISSIONARY CANDIDATES
GENERAL AND HISTORICAL Author
Understanding Church Growth Donald McGavran
Life and Work of a Missionary J. Herbert Kane
Understanding Christian Missions J. Herbert Kane
A Global View of Christian Missions J. Herbert Kane
Pentecost and Missions H. R. Boer
A History of Christian Missions Stephen Neill
A History of Christianity (2 volumes) K. S. Latourette
A Biblical Theology of Missions G. W. Peters
A Concise History of Christian World Missions J. Herbert Kane
In the Gap D. Bryant
Let the Earth Hear His Voice J. D. Douglas (editor)
The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World H. Kraemer
Church Growth and Christian Missions Donald McGavran
Have We No Right? M. Williamson
The Responsible Church and the Foreign Mission P. Beyerhaus and H. Lefever
The Missionary Nature of the Church Johannes Blauw
So That's What Missions is All About Wade Coggins
Lords of the Earth Don Richardson
Bruchko (For This Cross I'll Kill You) Bruce E. Olson
Survival Kit for Overseas Living L. R. Kohls
Don't Go Overseas Until You've Read This Book N. Gallagher
Transforming Mission D. Bosch
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader Ralph Winter/S. Hawthorne (eds.)
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya Ruth Tucker (Zondervan)
Partners in the Gospel Jim Kraakevik/Dotsy Welliver (BG)
The Lostness of Mankind Louis L. King (CPI)
Scripture and Strategy: The Use of the Bible in Post-
Modern Church and Mission David Hesselgrave
Christian and the Religions: A Biblical Theology of
World Religions Edward Rommen/Harold Netland
Spiritual Power and Missions: Raising the Issues Edward Rommen
Missiology and the Social Sciences: Contributions,
Cautions, and Conclusions Edward Rommen/Garry Corwin
The Holy Spirit and Mission Dynamics Douglas McConnell
Let the Nations Be Glad John Piper
Send Me: Your Journey to the Nations Steve Hoke and Bill Taylor
What is Mission? J. Andrew Kirk
Footprints of God Charles Van Engen
Too Valuable to Lose William Taylor
Operation World Patrick Johnstone
Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions A. Scott Moreau (editor)
Changing the Mind of Missions James F. Engel/William A. Dyrness
What is Mission? Theological Explorations J. Andrew Kirk
Missiology: An Introduction to the Foundations, History,
and Strategies of World Missions John Mark Terry, Ebbie Smith, and Justice Anderson
Introduction to Missiology A. Tippet
A Word in All Seasons Lesslie Newbigin
Managing Transitions William Bridges
African-American Experience in World Mission:
A Call Beyond Community Vaughn J. Walston/Robert J.
Stevens, eds.
METHODS
Finishing the Task John E. Kyle
Key to the Missionary Problem Andrew Murray
Today's Choices for Tomorrow's Mission David J. Hesselgrave
Companion to the Poor Viv Grigg
Renewal in Theological Education Robert W. Ferris
Planning Strategies for World Evangelization E. Dayton/D. Fraser (reprinted)
Unreached Peoples: Clarifying the Task Harley Schreck/David Barrett, eds.
Culture Shock Myron Loss
Planting Churches Cross-Culturally David J. Hesselgrave
Toward Creative Urban Strategy George A. Torney (editor)
What's Gone Wrong with the Harvest? James F. Engel/H. Wilbur Norton
Discipling the Nations Richard R. DeRidder
Theological Perspectives on Church Growth H. M. Conn (editor)
Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours R. Allen
The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church R. Allen
Frontiers in Missionary Strategy C. P. Wagner
The Extension Movement in Theological Education F. Ross Kinsler
Apostles to the City R. Greenway
The Ministry of the Spirit R. Allen
Church Growth in Perspective H. Conn
Planning Strategies for Evangelism C. P. Wagner
Crucial Dimensions in World Evangelization A. Glasser, et al
Penetrating the Last Frontiers Ralph Winter
Evangelism in the Early Church Michael Green (Eerdman)
The Believers' Guide to Spiritual Warfare Thomas White
Manual for Spiritual Warfare Ed Murphy
Teaching Them Obedience in All Things: Equipping
For the Twenty-first Century Edgar J. Elliston
Walking With the Poor Bryant L. Myers
Working With the Poor Bryant L. Myers
Go Make Disciples Luis Bush/Beverly Pegues
Reaching the Resistant: Barriers and Bridges for Mission J. Dudley Woodberry
Passing the Baton: Church Planting that Empowers Tom A. Steffen
Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for
Effective Ministry Duane Elmer
ANTHROPOLOGY
Religion Across Cultures Eugene A. Nida
Lausanne Occasional Papers, No. 2
The Willowbank Report--Gospel and Culture
Culture and Human Values J. A. Loewen
Readings in Missionary Anthropology II W. A. Smalley (editor)
Customs and Cultures Eugene A. Nida
Anthropology: The Cultural Perspective J. P. Spradley/D. N. McCurdy
Cultural Anthropology S. A. Grunlan and M. K. Mayers
Christianity in Culture C. H. Kraft
The Church and Cultures (new editor) L. J. Luzbetak
Gospel and Culture (Down to Earth) J. Stott/R. T. Coote (editors)
Christianity Confronts Culture M. Mayers
Habits of the Heart Robert N. Bellah et al (Harper/Row)
American Cultural Patters: A Cross-Cultural Perspective Edward Stewart
Anthropological Insights for Missionaries Paul Hiebert (Baker)
Understanding Folk Religion Paul Hiebert/R. Daniel Shaw/
T. Tienou
Incarnational Ministry Paul Hiebert and Eloise Hiebert
Menenses (editors)
Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues Paul Hiebert
Anthropology for Christian Witness C. H. Kraft
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
Guidelines for Barefoot Language Learning Donald N. Larson
Beyond Culture E. Hall
Learning a Foreign Language Eugene A. Nida
L.A.M.P. (Language Acquisition Made Practical) E. T. Brewster/E. S. Brewster
Contemporary Christian Communications:
Its Theory and Practice J. F. Engel
Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally David J. Hesselgrave
Message and Mission Eugene A. Nida
How Can I Get Them to Listen J. F. Engel
Becoming Bilingual D. N. Larson/W. A. Smalley
Tips on Taping: Language Recording Dickerson
Communication Theory for Christian Witness C. Kraft
The Mind Changers E. Griffin
How to Communicate the Gospel Effectively J. E. Engel
FAMILY AND HEALTH
Parental Preparation of Missionary Children for
Boarding School James Romaine Beck
Planning for MK Nurture Pam Echerd /Alice Arathoon (eds.)
Overcoming Missionary Stress Marjory F. Foyle
Sojourners: The Family on the Move Ruth J. and Samuel F. Rowen
Missionary Health Manual Adolph
Education of Missionaries' Children D. Bruce Lockerbie
Missionary Kid--MK Ed Danielson
The Life and Time of an MK C. J. Buffam
Living Overseas Ted Ward
Helping Missionaries Grow: Readings in Mental Health
and Missions K.S. O'Donnell/M.L. O'Donnell (eds)
Healing the Wounded Soul Arline Westmeier
Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures D. W. Augsburger
Margin: How to Create the Emotional, Physical, Financial,
and Time Reserves You Need Richard A. Swenson, M.D. (NavPr.)
Raising Resilient MKs Joyce Bowers (editor)
Children of the Call: Issues Missionaries’ Kids Face C.J. Gray
Letters Never Sent Ruth Van Reken
The TCK Profile Interaction Video
Transitions Interaction Video
BIOGRAPHIES
The Jaffray Series Christian Publications, Inc.
Wingspread A. W. Tozer
Let My People Go A. W. Tozer
No Time for Tombstones James and Marti Hefley
God Can Einar Mickelson
One Shall Chase a Thousand Mabel Francis
There are many more to be recommended.
AREA STUDY--GENERAL
1. The United States government produces handbooks on most countries covered by the Area Handbook which can be obtained by writing: Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC 20402. You can also find valuable country information at the CIA World Factbook (www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html).
2. The Church Growth Book Club publishes studies on many third-world countries. These research materials are comprehensive and valuable.
3. The research libraries of Alliance Theological Seminary and Canadian Theological Seminary contain area studies done by former students. These graduate level materials cover the countries in which the C&MA works. Below is a concentrated and extensive amount of information related to C&MA missionary endeavors.
ALLIANCE FIELDS--GENERAL
All for Jesus Robert Niklaus et al.
To All Peoples Robert Niklaus
AFRICA
Zaire: Mid-day in Missions Donald McGavran
African Theological Enroute K. Appiah-Kubi/S. Torres (eds.)
Church and Mission in Modern Africa A. Hastings
African Widows M. S. Kirwen
Guinea C. Riviere
Post-Christianity in Africa G. C. Oosthuizen
Schism and Renewal in Africa D. M. Barrett
A History of African Christianity A. Hastings
An Urban Strategy for Africa T. Monsma
Profile for Victory M. W. Randall
Sharing Your Faith with a Muslim Hagg
The Africans D. Lamb
Theological Battle Around in Asia/Africa G. C. Oosthuizen
Growth of the Church in Africa P. Falk
The African Condition Ali Mazrui
INDONESIA
Cannibal Valley R. T. Hitt
Indonesia: Church and Society F. L. Cooley
The Kalimantan Kenyah: A Study of Tribal Conversion W. C. Conley
Bali Profile W. A. Hanna
The Religion of Java C. Geertz
Indonesian Revival: Why Two Million Came to Christ A. T. Willis
From Mission Field to Independent Church H. Kraemer
History of Indonesia in the Twentieth Century B. Bahm
Like a Mighty Wind M. Tari
Peace Child Don Richardson
God's Miracles: Indonesian Church Growth E. C. Smith
SOUTHEAST ASIA
A History of Christianity in Japan R. H. Drummond
The Story of the Christian Church in India and Pakistan Stephen Neill
The Church in Asia D. Hoke (editor)
The Philippines R. Nelson
Asian Voices in Christian Theology G. H. Anderson (editor)
Asian Christian Thinking C. Hargreaves
India and the Latin Captivity of the Church R. H. S. Boyd
Indian Voices in Today's Theological Debate H. Burkle/W.M.S. Roth (eds.)
Thailand E. J. Moore
World Christianity: Eastern Asia D. C. E. Liao (editor)
The Philippine Church: Growth in a Changing Society A. Tuggy
Water Buffalo Theology K. Koyama
Siamese Gold Alex Smith
THE MIDDLE EAST AND MUSLIM WORLD
Christian Mission to Muslims L. L. Vander Werff
The Gospel and Islam D. M. McCurry (editor)
World Christianity: Middle East D. M. McCurry (editor)
Welcome into the Middle East G. Jennings
Muslims and Christians on the Emmaus Road Dudley Woodberry
New Paths in Muslim Evangelism P. Parshall
Sharing Your Faith with a Muslim A. A. Abdul-Hagg
Bridges to Islam P. Parshall
LATIN AMERICA
Latin American Church Growth Read, Monterroso, Johnson
An Urban Strategy for Latin America R. Greenway
Evangelicals and Liberation C. E. Armerding (editor)
Crossroads Theology: Latin America Orlando Costas
Frontiers of Theology in Latin America R. Gibellini (editor)
Understanding Latin Americans Eugene A. Nida
Area Handbook for Peru T. E. Weil, et al
Mexico: Distant Neighbors Alan Riding
Liberation Theology Andrew Kirk
Crisis in Latin America E. Núñez and W. Taylor
Is Latin America Turning Protestant? D. Stoll
EUROPE
Ten New Churches Roger Forster (MARC)
France--Forgotten Mission Field Frank Orna-Ornstein
Basic Communication Needs Among French Pastors and
Development of a Responsive Communications Ministry Jean-Marc Lepillez
Culture Shock! France Sally A. Taylor
A Traveler’s History of Paris Robert Cole
A Traveler’s History of France Robert Cole
On the Brink: The Trouble with France J. Fenby
French or Foe P. Platt
The Spaniards, A Portrait of the New Spain John Hooper
Spain Jan Morris
The Story of Spain Mark Williams
Iberia James A. Michener
Protestants in Modern Spain Dale Vought
The Other Spanish Christ
Ten Best Missions Books
OK. Fourteen!
MISSIONS STORIES
Bruchko, Bruce Olson
Peace Child, Don Richardson
MISSIONS IN THE CHURCH
Building Global Vision, David Mays
Get Your Church Involved in Missions, Michael Griffiths
Missions in the 21st Century, Tom Telford
GROWTH AND SERVICE
Catch the Vision 2000, Bill and Amy Stearns
The Church is Bigger than You Think, Patrick Johnstone
The Great Omission, Robertson McQuilkin, Jr.
How to be a World Class Christian, Paul Borthwick
Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Ruth Tucker
Key to the Missionary Problem, Andrew Murray
Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
Operation World, Patrick Johnstone
Stand in the Gap, David Bryant
New Missions Books
2001
When the Saints Go Marching Out, Art Beals, Geneva Press
Today’s All-Star Missions Churches, Tom Telford, Baker
2000
Building Strategic Relationships, Daniel Rickett, Partners International
Changing the Mind of Missions, James Engel, InterVarsity Press
Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions, Scott Moreau, ed., Baker
For Such a Time As This, Howard L. Foltz, William Carey Library
Mack & Leeann’s Guide to Short-Term Missions, J. Mack & Leeann Stiles, InterVarsity Press
Mission in the Old Testament, Israel as a Light to the Nations, Walter C. Kaiser Jr., William Carey Library
Missions, God’s Heart For The World, 9 studies for individuals or groups, Paul Borthwick, InterVarsity Press
Missions in the Third Millennium, 21 key trends for the 21st century, Stan Guthrie, Paternoster
Prepare Your Heart, Short-Term Mission Preparation Guide, Cindy Judge, Campfire Resources, Wheaton, IL
Stuff you need to know about DOING MISSIONS IN YOUR CHURCH, David Mays, available on diskette.
The ReEntry Team, Neal Pirolo, Emmaus Road International
1999
All About Faith Promise Offerings, Robert Mundy
Business as Usual in the Missions Enterprise, Tom Steffen,
Center for Organizational and Professional Development, La Habra, CA
Discover Our Place in His Plans, Bruce Camp, NextStep Resources
Essential Guide to Short Term Missions, David Forward, Moody
Final Analysis, Jim Reapsome, EMIS
Funding Your Ministry, by Scott Morton, NavPress
Getting Sent, Pete Sommer, InterVarsity Press
How to Operate an Effective Missions Leadership Team in Your Church, David Mays, ACMC
Magnify Your Vision for the Small Church, John Rowell, Northside Community Church
Mustard Seed vs. McWorld, Baker, Tom Sine
Send Me, Steve Hoke, William Carey Library
The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window, Luis Bush, YWAM
1998
Choosing a Future, Paul McKaughan, MARC
Missions in the 21st Century, Tom Telford, Harold Shaw
Short Term Mission Adventure, Scott Kirby, Printing Image, Knoxville, TN
The Church is Bigger than You Think, Patrick Johnstone, WEC
Missions Books People Love to Read
Adventure in Africa, Charles Partee
Bruchko, Bruce Olson
Called to Die, Steve Estes
Catch the Vision 2000, Bill and Amy Stearns
Colombian Jungle Escape, Ed and Doreen Dulka
Don’t Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees, Thomas Hale
Gladys Alward – The Little Woman, Gladys Alward
In Search of the Source, Neil Anderson
It’s a Jungle Out There, Ron Snell
Living Sacrifice, Helen Roseveare
Living Stones of the Himalayas, Thomas Hale
Missions in the Twenty-First Century, Tom Telford
More to be Desired than Gold, J. Christy Wilson,
Never Touch a Tiger, Stephen Hugh
On Call, David Thompson
On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain, Thomas Hale
One Bright Shining Path, W. Terry Whalin
Peace Child, Don Richardson
Spirits of the Rain Forest, Mark Ritchie
The Spring Wind, Gladis DePree
Under the Far Bamboo, Martin St. Kilda
Missions Books to Stretch People
Eternity in Their Hearts, Don Richardson
Run with the Vision, Bob Sjogren and Bill and Amy Stearns
Stand in the Gap, David Bryant
Best and Most Influential Missions Books (Partial List)
Theology and the Church
An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, William Carey
Key to the Missionary Problem, Andrew Murray, (1910)
Missions in the Plan of the Ages, W. O. Carver (40s)
All Nations in God's Purpose, H. Cornell Goerner (40s)
The Missionary Nature of the Church, Johannes Blauw (50s)
A Biblical Theology of Missions, George W. Peters. Moody, 1972.
Let the Nations be Glad, John Piper (90s)
Missionary Stories
Bruchko, Bruce Olson
Peace Child and Eternity in Their Hearts, Don Richardson
Through Gates of Splendor, Elizabeth Elliott
Missions History
The Progress of World-Wide Missions, J. Herbert Kane. Harper & Row, 1960.
A Survey of World Missions, by John Caldwell Thiessen, Moody, 1961.
A History of Christian Missions, Stephen Neill, Penguin Paperback, 1964
A Global View of Christian Missions, by J. Herbert Kane, Baker, 1971.
Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Ruth Tucker
Personal Growth and Involvement
The Pastor and Modern Missions, John R. Mott, 1904
If, Amy Carmichael
Stand In the Gap, David Bryant
A Mind for Missions, Paul Borthwick
Get Your Church Involved in Missions, Michael Griffiths
Prayer
Operation World, Patrick Johnstone
Status
Christian Mission in the Modern World, John Stott
The World Christian Encyclopedia, David Barrett
The Church is Bigger than You Think, Patrick Johnstone
Being a Missionary
On Being a Missionary, Thomas Hale
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
Missions Strategy
Missionary Methods, Roland Allen, 1st ed. 1912, 1st American edition 1956
Here is a list from a seminary:
HELPFUL BOOKS
FOR
A DEEPER STUDY INTO MISSIOLOGY
General Works
Scott Moreau, ed., The Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions (Baker)
John Mark Terry, ed., Missiology: An Introduction (Broadman)
Ralph D. Winter, ed., Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, 3rd Edition (William Carey Library).
Biblical and Theological Basis for Missions
Roger E. Hedlund, The Mission of the Church in the World (Baker)
J. Herbert Kane, Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective (Baker)
George W. Peters, A Biblical Theology of Missions (Moody)
History of Missions
Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church (Eerdmans)
J. Herbert Kane, A Concise History of the Christian World Mission (Baker)
Stephen Neill, A History of Christian Missions (Penguin)
Ruth A. Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya (Zondervan)
Applied Missiology
Roland Allen, Missionary Methods (Eerdmans)
Edward R. Dayton, Planning Strategies for World Evangelization (Eerdmans)
David J. Hesselgrave, Contextualization (Baker)
Paul G. Hiebert, Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues (Baker)
Donald McGavran, Understanding Church Growth (Eerdmans)
C. Peter Wagner, Strategies for Church Growth (Regal)
Best Missions Books for Pastors
Last decade
Get Your Church Involved in Missions, Michael Griffiths
Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
The Church is Bigger than You Think, Patrick Johnstone
Magnify Your Vision for the Small Church, John Rowell
Six Dangerous Questions, Paul Borthwick
Mission in the Old Testament, Walter Kaiser
50’s to 90’s
The Local Church and Mission, Theodore Williams
Isaiah and the Great Commission, Ian Hay
The Mission of God, Georg Vicedom
Discipling the Nations, Richard DeRidder
The Mission of the Church in the World, Roger Hedlund
A Vision for the Nations, Tom Wells
Before 1950
The Key to the Missionary Problem, Andrew Murray
The Pastor and Modern Missions, John R. Mott
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
The Missionary Nature of the Church, Johannes Blauw
The Bible Basis of Missions, Robert Hall Glover
All Nations in God’s Purpose, H. Cornell Goerner
Missions in the Plan of the Ages, William Owen Carver
Top Dozen Missions Resources for You and Your Church
FOR YOU
ACMC – individual membership, conferences, and networking with regional staff
Brigada, weekly email distribution of information related to missions
The Church is Bigger than You Think, Patrick Johnstone, WEC, 1998
How to Be a World Class Christian, Paul Borthwick, Operation Mobilization
Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper, Baker
Missions Frontiers, periodic magazine from the U. S. Center for World Mission
The New Context of World Mission, Bryant Myers, MARC, World Vision
Operation World, Patrick Johnstone, ed., Zondervan
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, one-semester college course on missions: biblical basis, history, strategies, and culture. U. S. Center for World Mission
Stand In the Gap, David Bryant, Regal Books, 1997
Three Generations, Gary L. McIntosh, Fleming H Revell
World Pulse, bi-weekly world newsletter, Evangelical Missions Information Service,
Box 794, Wheaton, IL 60187
FOR YOUR CHURCH
ACMC – church membership, conferences, networking with other churches, and consultations with regional staff
Church Missions Policy Handbook, ACMC
Cultivating a Missions Active Church, ACMC
Destination AD2000 video curriculum, Bob Sjogren, Frontiers, Mesa, AZ
Global Access Planner, Bruce Camp, ACMC
How Missions Minded is Your Church? a self-evaluation profile, ACMC
How to Operate an Effective Missions Leadership Team in Your Church, David Mays, ACMC, 1999
A Mind for Missions, Paul Borthwick,
Missions in the 21st Century, Tom Telford, Shaw Publishers, 1998
Operation World, Patrick Johnstone, ed., Zondervan
Serving as Senders, Neal Pirolo
Witnesses to All the World, Jim and Carol Plueddemann, Shaw Publishers