The Mission of the Church: Five Views in Conversation - Paperback

by Craig Ott (Editor), Stephen B. Bevans (Contribution by), Darrell Guder (Contribution by)

Leading Voices from across Christian Traditions Discuss the Mission of the Church

What is the mission of the church? Every seminarian and church leader must wrestle with that question. No matter what designation a church uses to describe itself, it must also think critically about why it exists and what it should be doing. In this book, five leading voices representing a range of Christian traditions engage in an enlightening conversation as they present and compare their perspectives on the mission of the church. Each contributor offers his or her view and responds to the other four views. Contributors include Stephen B. Bevans, Darrell L. Guder, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Edward Rommen, and Ed Stetzer. The book's format is ideal for classroom use and will also benefit pastors and church leaders.

Back Jacket

Stephen B. Bevans, Darrell L. Guder, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Edward Rommen, and Ed Stetzer engage in an enlightening conversation as they present and compare their perspectives on the mission of the church.

"I know that I shall read this book again and often. The contributors provide both a breadth of perspectives and a depth of historical background that are illuminating, instructive, and challenging. The book has increased my understanding of and respect for divergent confessional views on Christian mission, while compelling me to re-examine and clarify my own. Like the Bereans, I am motivated afresh to search the Scriptures to see if these things are true--and such an effect is surely the mark of a truly stimulating and worthwhile book."
--Christopher J. H. Wright, Langham Partnership; author of The Mission of God and The Mission of God's People

"Unclear about what the church's mission should be? Do we begin thinking about the church and then decide what Christian mission is? Or do we begin with mission and then think about the nature of the church? Here is a clear, stimulating, and challenging conversation among five well-known scholars. All followers of Jesus involved in Christian mission today will find this work very helpful."
--Charles Van Engen, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This well-researched and engaging text provides a compelling examination of the integral relationship between the global church and the mission of God. Ecumenical in its approach, the text includes thoughtful essays from authors who each present a unique yet integral perspective on the missional nature and purpose of the church. More than a theoretical study, The Mission of the Church compels its readers and the global Christian church as a whole into missional action. This text is an invaluable resource for scholars and practitioners alike who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of God's mission as expressed in and through his people."
--Sarita D. Gallagher, George Fox University

"The Mission of the Church is quite a special invitation into a very engaging and respectful ecumenical conversation about the theology and practice of mission. Craig Ott has done a wonderful service in facilitating this stimulating and in-depth process of dialogue that highlights the complementarity and creative tension among the various perspectives on mission within various streams of Christianity today."
--Roger Schroeder, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

Author Biography

Craig Ott (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he occupies the ReachGlobal Chair of Mission and directs the PhD in intercultural studies program. He is the coauthor of Global Church Planting and Encountering Theology of Mission, and coeditor of Globalizing Theology.