Books

BOOKS

Innovation in World Mission (Author)

William Carey Library, 2016

https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-World-Mission-Framework-Transformational-ebook/dp/B09WH2H3VL/

Our world is changing: mass migrations, the emergence of mega-cities, globalization, travel, and ubiquitous connectivity. How do we make sense of it all? Innovation in World Mission was written for those who care about being relevant in this chaotic, yet exciting new world. This book explores the categories of mega-changes happening around us, and the impacts they are making, specifically in world mission. It explores how God created us in his image, to be creative and innovative—modern day children of Issachar who understand change and know how to respond. Real-life examples from ministries, non-profits, and businesses are used throughout to help understand how to put these tools into practice.

 Review, by Bill O'Brien:

 Now abides the past, the present, and the future. But the greatest of these is….? What a question to ask the church.

 Futurist professor, Peter Bishop, talks about a cone of plausible futures. He states the future is many, not one.

Research on the issues of aging is rapidly developing in Japan, Singapore, and the UK. They are learning there is no one cure or solution which will work for everyone.

Dr. John Anderson, former director of the Advanced Concept division of NASA, developed a process he called Horizon Mission Methodology.  He took scientists so far into the future they could not simply extrapolate past breakthroughs.

Why have mission agencies and associations allowed themselves to arrive at what Derek Seipp calls a “strategic drift?” Change occurred all around them. The gap between their methodologies that always worked before, and the dominating religious, economic, geopolitical, and cultural realities that call for a new way of seeing and acting seems un-bridge-able. It is a sad day when mission administrators and practitioners suffer from Anton’s Syndrome – a condition marked by being blind to one’s own blindness.

The mega trends that Seipp identifies, when seen as a whole, create a “mega context” that challenge missiological thinking. In fact, it is so huge and creates such a cacophony of sound and fury that it can flip the breaker in our reticular activating systems.

Taking a cue from Issachar, Seipp calls for leaders who understand the times and know what to do about it. That calls for faith-based innovation. Which in turn, calls for research that is appropriate, as long as the research is accurately focused and not trying to conjure up answers for questions that are not being asked, or are irrelevant. Seipp does not try to predict the future of world mission, but shows the way to use scenarios to build some plausible futures.

Tom McGehee talks about “Compliance Companies” versus “Creation Companies” Repetition, predictability, and risk-avoidance mark Compliance Companies. Creation Companies do new things more effectively, and they create new models. The key to success in Creation Companies is creation, not control. (2001:35)

The Industrial Age organization was marked by hierarchy and control, top down administration. The Information Age is marked by networks, not control, but collaboration. As the Global Church emerges and spreads to the North, East, and West, let us pray that out of our diversity we will also experience the unity that Jesus prayed for in his high priestly prayer. What if the world saw the unity of the body—unity achieved, not as a goal to be gained, but as a byproduct of an obedience to be demonstrated?

                                                                                           William R. O’Brien

Contributor to:

Extending God's Kingdom: Church Planting Yesterday Today and Tomorrow

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR49GO4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Church planting simply cannot be ignored as we look at global missions historically, currently, and into the future. We all as the Body of Christ are seeking to see the "church" born where it does not exist and grow where it is still in infancy. But what does that look like and how do we get there?

In this third EMQ compilation, we address the foundational goal of church planting and hear from over thirty experienced practitioners and missiologists as they share successes, failures, and hopes for the future.