- Journey to the Center of the Church

by Michael Frost

The word missional has been around for a while and everyone assumes they know what you’re talking about even if you’re talking about very different things. This is why Andrew Wilson can write about the Missional Muddle. (See link) It’s an issue that is not lost on one of the architects of all things missional and the author of The Road to Missional: Journey to the Center of the church, Michael Frost. There is so much here that I agreed with and loved; I loved the focus on Jesus; the focus on genuine community, peace and reconciliation, sharp questions that help you become aware of who your neighbour is, an emphasis on discipleship, an everything agenda that sees value in the life and work of everybody and not just church workers. I found myself agreeing and wanting to be increasingly ‘missional’.
Having said all that, there are a few observations where this vision of church is missing a few important things. There was little mention of the role and place of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple or in the life of the church, so read The Spirit-Filled Church by Terry Virgo alongside this.

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Review by Phil Whittall (16/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Baker Books imprint of Baker Pub. from Lion
Published: November 2011
ISBN: 978-0-801-01407-9

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A Time For Mission

- The Challenge for Global Christianity

by Samuel Escobar

‘The truth of the gospel that gives life meaning is always a word we have received. We do not have it when we come to this world; it is a word someone else passes on to us.’
So writes Samuel Escobar in the opening sentence to the preface of this re-issued edition of his book first published in 2003. It is both an obvious and dramatic statement that those of us who grew up in a Christian home can all too easily forget. Our faith – however early imparted in our lives – remains a gift transmitted through another.
However, Escobar’s very next sentence is more challenging. 'And once we have received it we are bound to share it.' So distant are many established churchgoers from that moment in their lives when the gospel was revealed to them, this assertion of evangelical fervour cannot be assured. And it is this that lies at the heart of the missionary challenge through much of the developed west.
A Time for Mission is in part historical review, part theological reflection and part inspirational encouragement. Its central aim is to deepen our understanding of ‘how mission works’ and Escobar’s contribution to this endeavour – which in itself is well-trodden ground of course - is rooted in personal experience as well as mature, scriptural insights.
As Escobar himself acknowledges in his closing chapter, this search for missional understanding remains ongoing. The contextual complexity and changing nature of our missionary fields makes that inevitable. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is up to the task; prayerfully, may we remain so.

Review by David Ford (16/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £8.99
Publisher: IVP(Inter Varsity Press)
Published: October 2011
ISBN: 978-1-844-74549-4

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What Do You Think?

by Olaf Fogwill

This is an interesting approach to the start of a series of resource booklets about the Gospel - I have not seen the approach used before. It is basically a simple questionnaire which leads the reader through a series of questions which cover the material in proceeding booklets. This is clever. As you read and say ‘yes’ you are looking at the material and saying how helpful it would be to read the set. The questions themselves may be obvious, e.g. ‘we have lost too many people over the years’, but others provoke further thought, like ‘churches will need to change if we are to receive and keep the connected’. The latter question begs a lot of further questions, and spurs me on to read the other booklets that follow.

Series Review – Connect4Life is an unusual - and welcome - resource. It is a small collection of booklets about being 'connected' to Christ. What makes it particularly welcome is that it aims to help Christians who have left church to reconnect.
Using an electric plug analogy throughout (being connected to Christ brings life), the author Olaf Fogwill gives those who have left church and become 'unconnected' an invitation to 'give it 7 days' with a small study booklet of daily Bible readings. If people decide to 'reconnect' they have a helpful 21 day study guide to think through lots of passages to encourage them on the continued journey. With another option of a 21 day guide for new Christians connecting for the first time - this little pack would be a good resource for evangelical churches to have handy. I say 'evangelical' as it is all Bible based material - but other churches may well find the resource helpful too.
I liked the self help questionnaires, careful choice of readings, non- judgemental approach and prayer resource to 'plug in' and 'switch on' to 'go'. I am not aware of other resources like this for people who want to reconnect with Christ - for that reason alone this is a welcome resource for churches to have available.

For the starter pack containing some of each of the booklets in this series see the website.

Review by Jim Currin (07/12/11)

Leaflet
Price: £0.30
Publisher: Connect4Life
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9-990-00041-7

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The Connected Life

- 21 Day Personal Study Guide for Those Already Connected

by Olaf Fogwill

The image here is of an electric power socket plug used as an analogy for the Christian being connected to Christ. Those ‘already connected’ are Christians steady in their faith and aware of the ‘power’ of the Holy Spirit. I find this both helpful and stretched as an analogy. I like the brown, live wire, question on each page which is about our life in Christ. I like the ‘yellow and green’ questions as they relate to faith being earthed in reality. I am less sure of the blue – neutral wire – application described as ‘aspects of self that need to be neutralised’. Anyway, that said, this daily study guide is simply laid out, straight forward to follow, and I am sure it will help the individual Christian see their worth and relationship with Christ in a new light (no pun intended!)

Series Review – Connect4Life is an unusual - and welcome - resource. It is a small collection of booklets about being 'connected' to Christ. What makes it particularly welcome is that it aims to help Christians who have left church to reconnect.
Using an electric plug analogy throughout (being connected to Christ brings life), the author Olaf Fogwill gives those who have left church and become 'unconnected' an invitation to 'give it 7 days' with a small study booklet of daily Bible readings. If people decide to 'reconnect' they have a helpful 21 day study guide to think through lots of passages to encourage them on the continued journey. With another option of a 21 day guide for new Christians connecting for the first time - this little pack would be a good resource for evangelical churches to have handy. I say 'evangelical' as it is all Bible based material - but other churches may well find the resource helpful too.
I liked the self help questionnaires, careful choice of readings, non- judgemental approach and prayer resource to 'plug in' and 'switch on' to 'go'. I am not aware of other resources like this for people who want to reconnect with Christ - for that reason alone this is a welcome resource for churches to have available.

For the starter pack containing some of each of the booklets in this series see the website.

Review by Jim Currin (07/12/11)

A4 Booklet
Price: £1.60
Publisher: Connect4Life
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9-990-00042-5

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Disconnected?

- Give it 7 Days

by Olaf Fogwill

Of all the study booklets in the Connect4Life series, this is the most original – I would even go so far as to say ‘brilliant’ in its concept. I have not come across a booklet specifically written for Christians who have become disconnected with church and their relationship with Christ. The invitation is simply to ‘give it 7 days’, as Olaf Fogwill provides a helpful framework of non-judgemental self assessment in seven days of reflection. These are not heavy Bible studies – even looking up Bible texts is avoided, but simple, reasonable questions, comments and tick box questionnaires to help people think why they have left. Good reasons are given, presumably based on reasons given by people who have become ‘disconnected’. This is good material that I would willingly give to someone who had left our church, and I would not be embarrassed to offer it if they were willing to ‘give it 7 days’.

Series Review – Connect4Life is an unusual - and welcome - resource. It is a small collection of booklets about being 'connected' to Christ. What makes it particularly welcome is that it aims to help Christians who have left church to reconnect.
Using an electric plug analogy throughout (being connected to Christ brings life), the author Olaf Fogwill gives those who have left church and become 'unconnected' an invitation to 'give it 7 days' with a small study booklet of daily Bible readings. If people decide to 'reconnect' they have a helpful 21 day study guide to think through lots of passages to encourage them on the continued journey. With another option of a 21 day guide for new Christians connecting for the first time - this little pack would be a good resource for evangelical churches to have handy. I say 'evangelical' as it is all Bible based material - but other churches may well find the resource helpful too.
I liked the self help questionnaires, careful choice of readings, non- judgemental approach and prayer resource to 'plug in' and 'switch on' to 'go'. I am not aware of other resources like this for people who want to reconnect with Christ - for that reason alone this is a welcome resource for churches to have available.

For the starter pack containing some of each of the booklets in this series see the website.

Review by Jim Currin (07/12/11)

A4 Booklet
Price: £1.10
Publisher: Connect4Life
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9-990-00043-3

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The Reconnected Life

- 21-day Personal Study Guide For Those Reconnecting

by Olaf Fogwill

This is the next booklet which obviously follows on from the one given to people who have felt ‘disconnected’ from Christ, but now want to be ‘reconnected’. The electric plug analogy is obvious and works well here, as ‘those reconnecting’ are invited to follow daily notes for a 21 day personal study. The guide is not a heavy Bible study, but a comment each day on a text that is quoted at the top of the page. What follows is another little self reflection questionnaire on it, followed by a reflection. The core elements are ‘identity, value and purpose’ and the approach is positive and encouraging. Even the spiritual disciplines are mentioned in this light: ‘given by a caring Father who does it for your good because he loves you’ (Day 16). Each day’s comment ends with the invitation to ‘switch on and go’ – with a provided prayer. It is good material, nicely presented.

Series Review – Connect4Life is an unusual - and welcome - resource. It is a small collection of booklets about being 'connected' to Christ. What makes it particularly welcome is that it aims to help Christians who have left church to reconnect.
Using an electric plug analogy throughout (being connected to Christ brings life), the author Olaf Fogwill gives those who have left church and become 'unconnected' an invitation to 'give it 7 days' with a small study booklet of daily Bible readings. If people decide to 'reconnect' they have a helpful 21 day study guide to think through lots of passages to encourage them on the continued journey. With another option of a 21 day guide for new Christians connecting for the first time - this little pack would be a good resource for evangelical churches to have handy. I say 'evangelical' as it is all Bible based material - but other churches may well find the resource helpful too.
I liked the self help questionnaires, careful choice of readings, non- judgemental approach and prayer resource to 'plug in' and 'switch on' to 'go'. I am not aware of other resources like this for people who want to reconnect with Christ - for that reason alone this is a welcome resource for churches to have available.

For the starter pack containing some of each of the booklets in this series see the website.

Review by Jim Currin (07/12/11)

A4 Booklet
Price: £1.60
Publisher: Connect4Life
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9-990-00044-1

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Unconnected? - Give it 7 Days by Olaf Fogwill
ISBN: 9-990-00045-X Price: £1.10	Published: 09 September 2009
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The Connected Life - 21-day Personal Study Guide For Those Connecting for the First Time by Olaf Fogwill
ISBN: 9-990-00046-8 Price: £1.60	Published: 2009
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A Meal With Jesus - Discovering Grace, Community and Mission Around the Table by Tim Chester
ISBN: 978-1-844-74555-5 Price: £8.99	Published: October 2011
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Sharing Faith The Jesus Way by Jim Currin
ISBN: 978-1-841-01862-1 Price: £7.99	Published: Spring 2011
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Good To Grow - Building a Missional Church in the 21st century – One Church’s Story by Steve Tibbert
ISBN: 978-1-860-24812-2 Price: £7.99	Published: 12 July 2011
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Beyond Beards and Burqas - Connecting with Muslims by Martin Goldsmith
ISBN: 978-1-844-74410-7 Price: £7.99	Published: 20 November 2009
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Breaking Through the Barriers - Leading Muslims to Christ by Rosemary Sookhdeo
ISBN: 978-0-982-52181-6 Price: £8.99	Published: December 2010
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More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell
ISBN: 978-1-850-78846-1 Price: £4.99	Published: 11 March 2011
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Bringing the World to Your Church - The Mission Promoter’s ‘How To’ Guide by Joy Piper
ISBN: 978-0-900-82882-9 Price: £5.00	Published: 2001
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Bringing the Gospel Home - Sharing Your Faith with Family and Friends by Randy Newman
ISBN: 978-1-844-74527-2 Price: £8.99	Published: May 2011
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The Celtic Way of Evangelism - How Christianity Can Reach the West.....AGAIN by George G. Hunter III
ISBN: 978-1-426-71137-4 Price: £10.99	Published: February 2011
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Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer
ISBN: 978-1-844-74498-5 Price: £8.99	Published: 08 August 2010
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Grounded in the Gospel - Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way by J. I. Packer and Gary A. Parrett
ISBN: 978-0-801-06838-6 Price: £9.99	Published: September 2009
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Right Here Right Now - Everyday Mission for Everyday People by Alan Hirsch & Lance Ford
ISBN: 978-0-801-07223-9 Price: £9.99	Published: 01 February 2011
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