Resources on missions

[Solparvus]

I'm looking for some good resources on missions. Anything from any age of the church that is good and reliable. Books welcome, audio especially welcome. I'm good with anything that addresses foundational issues, propagation of doctrine, evangelism, church maintenance, cross-cultural matters, worldviews, state of the world, language, problematic views and philosophies of missions, sustaining on the field, family, children, etc.

I've found a few good ones already for those interested:

- Greenville Seminary's Spring 2024 conference (see here). Chad Vegas on problematic missions philosophy and Ian Hamilton on W.C. Burns are my two favorite from this conference.
- Elizabeth Elliott's biography of Amy Carmichael. I have my disagreements, but Carmichael's devoted spirit is contagious.
- John Paton's autobiography - Most exciting Christian biography I ever read!

Thanks all.

 

[iainduguid]

The old standard in books was J.H. Bavinck, "Introduction to the Science of Missions", still worth reading but quite dated after being in print for 60 years.

Not yet out (Oct 24 publication), but this is one to mark for the future:

You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission (Brian DeVries)​

You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission

A Theological Introduction to the Witness of the Church within the Mission of God Mission is God's work. God spoke the first promise of gospel hope, sent his Son into this fallen world, and commissioned his Spirit to empower his church for witness. Until the day Christ returns, God has called...

www.wtsbooks.com

Brian is Principal of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa, so he writes from personal experience. He combines Biblical, historical and theological insight, as well as practical application. This will be my new go-to book on Missions: profound yet accessible.

 

[PaulCLawton]

I'm looking for some good resources on missions. Anything from any age of the church that is good and reliable. Books welcome, audio especially welcome. I'm good with anything that addresses foundational issues, propagation of doctrine, evangelism, church maintenance, cross-cultural matters, worldviews, state of the world, language, problematic views and philosophies of missions, sustaining on the field, family, children, etc.

I've found a few good ones already for those interested:

- Greenville Seminary's Spring 2024 conference (see here). Chad Vegas on problematic missions philosophy and Ian Hamilton on W.C. Burns are my two favorite from this conference.
- Elizabeth Elliott's biography of Amy Carmichael. I have my disagreements, but Carmichael's devoted spirit is contagious.
- John Paton's autobiography - Most exciting Christian biography I ever read!

Thanks all.

The URCNA has both a home and foreign "Missions Manual". The home version has recnetly undergone significantr revision, and will be updated on our web site, and published in paperback at some point by Reformed Fellowship.

 

[Solparvus]

The old standard in books was J.H. Bavinck, "Introduction to the Science of Missions", still worth reading but quite dated after being in print for 60 years.

Not yet out (Oct 24 publication), but this is one to mark for the future:

You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission (Brian DeVries)​

You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission

A Theological Introduction to the Witness of the Church within the Mission of God Mission is God's work. God spoke the first promise of gospel hope, sent his Son into this fallen world, and commissioned his Spirit to empower his church for witness. Until the day Christ returns, God has called...

www.wtsbooks.com

Brian is Principal of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa, so he writes from personal experience. He combines Biblical, historical and theological insight, as well as practical application. This will be my new go-to book on Missions: profound yet accessible.

Thank you, really want to get my hands on this now. Solid endorsers too. That's big for me, because I do wonder what all published on missions is solid, trustworthy, or biblically and confessionally rooted. This is a field evidently prone to fads.

The URCNA has both a home and foreign "Missions Manual". The home version has recnetly undergone significantr revision, and will be updated on our web site, and published in paperback at some point by Reformed Fellowship.

Good read. Now I need to see what the RPCNA has that is comparable, I'm sure we do. I never heard of doing time limits for missionaries. All the stories I've read were about people who went and stayed (WC Burns, Taylor, Judson, etc.). What all is behind this? I'm guessing one reason is to prevent dependency on the missionary or sending body.

 

[Solparvus]

Brothers and sisters, just sitting here and pondering the crickets.... surely this is a much more edifying and enlivening subject than race realism. And perhaps a great antidote for it.

 

[JTB.SDG]

Speaking of Paton, John Piper has some incredible messages on the life of John Patton and Adoniram Judson. Doesn't deal with all of what you mentioned but you'll be glad you listened. Go for the audio over the booklets. Also check out his sermon on the church at Antioch.

 

[Solparvus]

Speaking of Paton, John Piper has some incredible messages on the life of John Patton and Adoniram Judson. Doesn't deal with all of what you mentioned but you'll be glad you listened. Go for the audio over the booklets. Also check out his sermon on the church at Antioch.

Piper is inspiring on Paton. This is probably the Antioch sermon you are referring to? I can't wait to listen!

 

[Jeri Tanner]

This is a great biographical address on Adonirum Judson.

The Life of Adonirum Judson

Robert McCurley | Greenville Presbyterian Church

web.sermonaudio.com

 

[JTB.SDG]

Piper is inspiring on Paton. This is probably the Antioch sermon you are referring to? I can't wait to listen!

Yes! I kept going back to these for comfort the years we were serving overseas.

 

[Cornelius Van Halen]

I found Warfield's essay "Some Perils of Missionary Life," found in Benjamin B. Warfield: Selected Shorter Writings, vol. 2 to be really helpful.

Regarding evangelism, I've really enjoyed R.B. Kuiper's God-Centered Evangelism and a newer book by Thomas Davis entitled God is God and You are You.

Additionally, reading missionary biographies is a must. I was personally impacted by David Brainerd's Biography, specifically the Journal Portion, which is encouraging and provides excellent insights.

Also, it's worthwhile to consider things to avoid, like the Insider movement. This is still an issue in Muslim countries. See David B. Garner, “High Stakes: Insider Movement Hermeneutics and the Gospel.” Themelios 37/2 (2012.

Finally, I'd read anything J.H. Bavinck wrote, he's been an incredible encouragement! He covers evangelism, cross-cultural engagement, and worldview.
As a plus, he's an enjoyable read.

Blessings!

 

[Solparvus]

I found Warfield's essay "Some Perils of Missionary Life," found in Benjamin B. Warfield: Selected Shorter Writings, vol. 2 to be really helpful.

Regarding evangelism, I've really enjoyed R.B. Kuiper's God-Centered Evangelism and a newer book by Thomas Davis entitled God is God and You are You.

Additionally, reading missionary biographies is a must. I was personally impacted by David Brainerd's Biography, specifically the Journal Portion, which is encouraging and provides excellent insights.

Also, it's worthwhile to consider things to avoid, like the Insider movement. This is still an issue in Muslim countries. See David B. Garner, “High Stakes: Insider Movement Hermeneutics and the Gospel.” Themelios 37/2 (2012.

Finally, I'd read anything J.H. Bavinck wrote, he's been an incredible encouragement! He covers evangelism, cross-cultural engagement, and worldview.
As a plus, he's an enjoyable read.

Blessings!

Just what I'm looking for. I keep forgetting to class Brainerd among missionaries.

I've seen J.H. Bavinck's name come up a few times. Now I've got to. Quite interested to say what Warfield has to say on the perils of missions work.

 

[Dashboard_Dog]

Personal recommendations:

Piper’s Let the Nation’s Be Glad

When Everything is Missions by Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison

Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours: A Study of the Church in the Four Provinces by Roland Allen

Also worth checking out is the Missions Podcast put out by ABWE. I personally know one of the hosts who is a Reformed Baptist. Great group. Hope these help!

 

[arapahoepark]

Doesn't Eckhard Schnabel have ideas on this? I've only read bits of his Acts commentary but, I was under the impression he was known for his missionology.

 

[Reformed Trini]

I'm looking for some good resources on missions. Anything from any age of the church that is good and reliable. Books welcome, audio especially welcome. I'm good with anything that addresses foundational issues, propagation of doctrine, evangelism, church maintenance, cross-cultural matters, worldviews, state of the world, language, problematic views and philosophies of missions, sustaining on the field, family, children, etc.

I've found a few good ones already for those interested:

- Greenville Seminary's Spring 2024 conference (see here). Chad Vegas on problematic missions philosophy and Ian Hamilton on W.C. Burns are my two favorite from this conference.
- Elizabeth Elliott's biography of Amy Carmichael. I have my disagreements, but Carmichael's devoted spirit is contagious.
- John Paton's autobiography - Most exciting Christian biography I ever read!

Thanks all.

That Greenville conference was golden. I truly enjoyed it.

 

[Solparvus]

Doesn't Eckhard Schnabel have ideas on this? I've only read bits of his Acts commentary but, I was under the impression he was known for his missionology.

I've seen his name pop up in various resources. I believe I used one of his resources for a paper last year. Seems interesting.

Curious, is he square theologically? Not sure how to evaluate him.

@JTB.SDG the Piper sermon was fantastic.

 

[Solparvus]

"Have We No Rights? A frank discussion of the 'rights' of missionaries"

A must-read from the 1950's. See here. Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 9, the missionary often gives up certain rights (real or perceived) for the sake of more effective ministry. Perhaps the most realistic portrayal of life on the field I've found.

Table of contents:

1. Rights
2. The Right to What I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
3. The Right to the Ordinary Safeguards of Good Health
4. The Right to Regulate My Private Affairs As I Wish
5. The Right to Privacy
6. The Right to My Own Time
7. The Right to a Normal Romance, If Any
8. The Right to a Normal Home Life
9. The Right to Live With the People of My Choice
10. The Right to Feel Superior
11. The Right to Run Things
12. He Had No Rights