Now in its 20th year, the 2023 Outreach Resources of the Year honors the past year’s best books that emphasize outreach-oriented ministries.
Last fall we invited publishers and authors to submit resources with release dates between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022. The Outreach magazine editorial team then sorted qualifying titles into 10 key categories for review by expert panelists in each field.
The panelists thoughtfully evaluated each submission and chose one or more as an Outreach Resource of the Year, then highlighted other titles as “Also Recommended.” Here is the winner in the Missional and Cross-Cultural category.
MISSIONAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL
Evaluated by Robert Gallagher, professor emeritus of intercultural studies at Wheaton College Graduate School and teaching pastor at Lombard Bible Church in Lombard, Illinois.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission by Michael Niebauer (Lexham Academic)
In Virtuous Persuasion, Michael Niebauer delves deep into the basic questions of the mission of God, connecting it to the life we live. He argues that missio Dei, church planting and dialogue fail to provide adequate thinking on human morality. To counter this deficiency, Niebauer offers a theology of mission grounded in Scripture and virtue: a rich understanding of mission as virtuous practice as it demonstrates the goodness of missional proclamation and the Spirit-promotion of joy, hope and love through faithful witness.
In the discussion are topics such as the nature of conversion; the difference between persuasion and coercion; how to measure church growth; the role of prayer, worship and spiritual formation; faithful evangelism; and pastoral ministry, producing a fresh account of church mission. As you read this volume, be prepared to experience the reward of developing virtue as mission practitioners and seeing the Lord Jesus.
Read about the other 2023 Outreach Resources of the Year honorees »