Elliot Clark: Mission Affirmed

Mission Affirmed

Crossway, 2022

By Elliot Clark

WHO: Elliot Clark, a cross-cultural church planter who currently works with Training Leaders international. 

HE SAYS: “In my experience, our evangelical sensibilities that emphasize human powerlessness and God’s unmerited favor have, in some cases, inoculated us against the hope of pleasing God and receiving a recompense for our work.”

THE BIG IDEA: Using Paul’s writings as the foundation, this book explores what faithful gospel ministry looks like when God’s approval guides our ambition.

THE PROGRESSION: In eight chapters, the author looks at how the apostle Paul didn’t view missions as simply accomplishing a goal; he valued affirmation from God. This books helps equip local churches in the same way as they send out missionaries.

“Instead of rejoicing primarily in God’s power at work through us, we should boast in God’s astonishing grace to us.”

How Can We Avoid ‘Believing’ the Bible While Denying What It Actually Says?

We need to learn, and teach other people, not just to read the Bible but also how to interpret it, so they don’t end up being Bible-believing heretics or Jesus-followers who follow a Jesus different than the real Jesus of the Bible and history.

Is Gen Z Coming Back to Church?

When people born between 1997 and 2007 go to church, they attend, on average, about 23 services per year.

What Your Tech Director Needs You to Know

Any tech leader worth their salt knows their church’s gear, budget and team resources inside and out. Furthermore, they have the same goal as you—to share the gospel.