The Outreach Resources of the Year honors the past year’s best books that emphasize outreach-oriented ideas.
Last fall we invited publishers and authors to submit resources that released between Nov. 1, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2023. The Outreach magazine editorial team then placed the qualifying titles into 13 key categories for review by expert panelists in each field. After thoughtful consideration, they selected one or more entries as an Outreach Resource of the Year and spotlighted some titles as “Also Recommended.”
In this section you will discover valuable tools that belong on your bookshelf. You will reach for them time and again as they enhance your effectiveness in ministry through the years.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Evaluated by Mark DeYmaz, an Outreach magazine columnist, who planted the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in 2001 where he continues to serve as Directional Leader. In 2004, he co-founded the Mosaix Global Network with Dr. George Yancey and today serves as its CEO/president and convener of the triennial Mosaix National Conference.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining Its History, Mission and Message by Brandon Washington (Zondervan Reflective)
At a time when (de)constructive critique of the church is fashionable, combative posturing is normative, and well-meaning idealists spend more time explaining what they’re against than they do effectively building something we can all be for, Washington refreshingly cuts through the noise with A Burning House.
Washington’s insights are thorough, timely and hopeful. He expresses an unapologetic commitment to Christ, the local church and the advancement of the gospel while not only recognizing repairs are needed, but also by providing blueprints for new construction. At a time when so many have lost hope, abandoned ship or are actively working against the very best of what evangelicalism can and should be in a society dominated by division, readers will appreciate his concise review of the subject, commitment to biblical theology as well as actionable insights, both historic and modern.
ALSO RECOMMENDED
The Offensive Church: Breaking the Cycle of Ethnic Disunity by Bryan C. Loritts (IVP)
Informed, seasoned and practical wisdom calling pastors to step-up, disciple well and lead out in the proactive pursuit of building a healthy multiethnic church.
The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate by Sarah L. Sanderson (WaterBrook)
A well-told, vulnerable and compelling story of one woman’s consideration of past injustice and what it means to become a repairer of the breach.
