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/I-cover/without%20spine/9780802429544.jpg "Is the Commission Still Great?: 8 Myths about Missions and What They Mean for the Church")
Dismantling the Myths that Obscure God's Great Plan
The primary mission of the church is to glorify God by blessing all peoples of the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission's task of global disciple-making is the most ambitious project ever undertaken. Given the scale and complexity of global missions, it's no wonder that misconceptions abound, even among invested, godly people.
Questions and skepticism about missions arise from both outside and inside the church. Is missions an outdated idea? Do missionaries do more harm than good? Are we succeeding or failing? Is it time for global believers to do the job in their own countries with minimal Western involvement? We don't need to fear questions like these. But we do need to seek—and find—solid, biblical answers.
Is the Commission Still Great? dismantles the myths that obscure God's beautiful plan to make disciples of all nations. Misperceptions discourage God's people from joyfully participating with Him in reaching the world. Yet, deepening our understanding of the call to missions restores perspective and motivates us to participate in God's grand design.
Author and missionary kid Steve Richardson uses stories from Scripture, history, and his own ministry experience to impart timely lessons on modern missions. Richardson also draws from the wisdom of field missionaries, sending agencies, pastors, and church members to address this all-important endeavor. Each chapter finishes with thought-provoking questions to facilitate purposeful discussion in families and small groups. Is the Commission Still Great? will equip followers of Christ to be participants—not spectators—in the redemption of the world.
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"In the recent past, many false assumptions about our responsibility to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ have quietly crept into our churches. The effect has been to weaken our motivation and significantly reduce our impact. Steve Richardson has done an outstanding job not only of identifying the misguided thinking but also providing insightful reasoning for renewed efforts by the church to finish the task of world evangelization."
—Bill Jones
Chancellor, Columbia International University; cofounder of Crossover Global
"Steve has put into words what many who work in missions leadership have observed but been unable to voice. Namely, mission myths have led to a pandemic of ignorance about the realities and opportunities of mission. In a practical and winsome way, he walks the reader through the shibboleths of our day, ending with a call to join Jesus in the Greatest of Commissions."
—Ted Esler
President, Missio Nexus
"Thanks to Steve Richardson for this important book that not only exposes the myths about missions commonly held today but also gives key insights on the changing role of Westerners in our quest to fulfill the Great Commission. Steve is uniquely qualified to address these issues, living the life of a missionary and leading one of the largest and most innovative mission organizations in the world."
—Durwood Snead
Retired Mission Pastor, North Point Ministries
"The debate over responsibility for the Great Commission is an enduring feature of Christian mission. The modern missionary movement was widely influenced by an important article to the churches that questioned their responsibility to go and make disciples of all nations. In that tradition, Steve Richardson offers thoughtful responses to eight common concerns about missions found in churches today. The book is ideal for small groups and church mission committees to foster a discussion of the role of individuals and churches in fulfilling God's mission for the world. Richardson's writing invites you to participate in a way that will result in significant outcomes."
—Doug McConnell
Senior Professor and Provost Emeritus, School of Mission & Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Steve Richardson draws from decades of experience leading church-planting teams in Southeast Asia and leading an excellent international mission sending agency. He has great insights on the importance of doing missions today."
—Steve Douglass
President Emeritus of Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ
"Assumptions, half-truths, and sometimes even myths often influence how the church understands and engages in her God-appointed work of discipling all nations. This important book will graciously create needed tension in the heart and mind of readers so they can discern whether their Great Commission beliefs and practices are shaped by biblical convictions or by something else. I've heard it said that to do missions well, we must think about missions well. Steve's book will help you think about missions well. Read it!"
—Matthew Ellison
President, Sixteen:Fifteen
