A compilation of 13 papers presented at the fourth ATS (Asia Theological Seminary) Theological Forum, the book The Church and Poverty in Asia represents a broad range of evangelical thought and practice in the Philippines. Based on Mary’s song from Luke 1:53, the conference’s theme was, “He has filled the hungry with good things.” In […]
The book Asian Church & God’s Mission is a collection of all the papers presented at the Asian Mission symposium held in Manila, the Philippines, in 2012. The theme of the conference, “Empowering the Asian Church for God’s Mission,”[1] was expounded upon by a selecting of 16 experts in the field. The presenters hailed from […]
Theologian, researcher and practitioner, author Viv Grigg leads and writes with an apostolic and prophetic gift. His book Cry of the Urban Poor[1] is a culmination of walking the urban slums in 10 megacities around the globe. From Manila to Mexico City and from Calcutta to Sao Paolo, Grigg draws from a wide range of […]
In the book, When Helping Hurts,[1] authors Corbett and Fikkert aim to help local congregations in North America—and by extension their missionaries—to be involved in poverty alleviation using appropriate principles and methods. The authors hope not only to see an increased involved by the North American church in poverty alleviation, but—perhaps more importantly—that by adjusting […]
It is no surprise to anyone that the global Body of Christ is terribly divided and fragmented. Phil Butler, in his free e-book Well Connected: Releasing the power and restoring hope through kingdom partnerships[1] suggests practical steps towards “working partnerships and networks” and “new models of ministry that strengthen our credibility with the world” for […]
The bi-annual journal New Urban World is published by Ash Barker, representing the International Society of Urban Mission (ISUM), and edited by Stephen Burris. The theme for the November 2013 was “Money and Urban Mission.” [1] It is comprised of four feature articles, each followed by responses from various authors and practitioners, 10 columns and […]
“Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response” II Thes 3:1 MSG For years I have thought of International Church as a groundswell of response opportunity. Many IC Pastors and Leaders are result oriented type people. In broad terms we want action to happen. […]
This term, used by a friend, conveys a powerful message about tragic consequences for some ministries when they do not receive needed support. For a pastor or any other full-time servant of God, where should they go to request and receive adequate assistance? Who should they contact? When can such a need be merely a […]
When I was a student at the Canadian Theological Seminary in the early 1980’s, my missiology professor talked about CDC or Closed Door Countries and CAN or Creative Access Nations. Thirty years later, we [now] talk about globalization, rapid mobility, mass migration/diasporas, labor/economic re-alignments, and communication connectedness. Three decades ago we debated how to penetrate […]
Paul’s Perspective on Discipleship and the Kingdom Paul taught that the Kingdom of God was not in food or drink, as seen with outward signs like that of Solomon or David, when they celebrated their inaugurations with great feast and festivities. Rather, Paul said that the signs of God’s spiritual Kingdom are manifested by “…righteousness, […]