Alan Roxburgh has posted a favorable review of Dwight Zscheile's new book, People of the Way. 

Zscheile is an Episcopal priest who is assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary.

In People of the Way, he draws on multiple streams of Anglican thought and practice, plus contemporary experience to craft a vision for mission that addresses the church's post-establishment, post-colonial context. With stories, practices and concrete illustrations, Zscheile …

What does it mean to "release" people for ministry? What if we didn't pay people to do ministry because everyone in a community is doing ministry, but we might pay a few people to do equipping work?

 

Here's a great site full of useful -- and free! -- resources for engaging in outreach and evangelism in rural contexts. The site is written specifically for the UK context, but there is much that is applicable across rural contexts globally.

Clint Schekloth has a very thoughtful post this week, written in response to a sincere question that was framed in this way: "Why does God seem so volatile and irritable in the Old Testament, yet forgiving and merciful in the New Testament?" Clint's answer is deeply helpful, and I commend it in its entirety to you. Here's a brief excerpt:

I think the most fair response is that, where the OT covers a broad swath of history, and looks for salvation history in the call of a nation and all the vicissitudes …

Here is the Reverend David Everett talking about his research into missional leadership and a group of very dynamic historically Black churches.