ISBN: | 9781839730375 |
---|---|
Imprint: | Langham Global Library |
Format: | Paperback |
Dimensions (mm): | 229 x 152 x 21 |
Publication Date: | 31/10/2020 |
Pages: | 402 |
Language: | English |
Relentless Love
Living Out Integral Mission to Combat Poverty, Injustice and Conflict
How does the church’s calling to take the whole gospel to the whole world manifest in contexts of poverty, injustice, and conflict? In this collection of essays, drawn from the 7th Micah Global Triennial Consultation in the Philippines, Christians from across the globe reflect on the church’s role in alleviating suffering and developing transformed communities.
At the heart of these reflections is the topic of resilience and its role in Christian community, integral mission, and faith-based development work. Offering both theological frameworks and practical tools for the development of resilient communities, this book ignites a biblical passion for integrating justice and proclamation, witness and social concern, evangelism and community transformation. Relentless Love is a powerful reminder of Christ’s calling to join him in his work to bring wholeness, reconciliation, and redemption to the earth.
Endorsements
Through a diverse collection of voices, this compelling volume reveals new ways of being church that are emerging from the Majority World and are fueled by a shalomic imagination for the common good. This book is a vital guide for operationalizing the love of God as the love of neighbour, while equipping us to appreciate that love of neighbour always invites love of neighbourhood.
—Dwight J. Friesen, DMin
Associate Professor of Practical Theology,
The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, Washington, USA
In this great work, Hill brings leading global voices together around the essential topic of resilience and compassionate Christian witness. The depth and timeliness of this book and its importance in integral mission cannot be overstated.
—Lisa Rodriguez-Watson
National Director, Missio Alliance
This volume calls us with one voice to resilience in the Spirit, not only to sustain ourselves, but to flourish in our service to the world’s most vulnerable.
—Al Tizon, PhD
Executive Minister, Serve Globally, Evangelical Covenant Church
With heavy hearts, yet renewed energy and continued resolve, this book encourages us to say “No!” to injustice and “Yes!” to God’s shalom.
—Rev Darrell Jackson, ThD
Associate Professor and Director of Research,
Whitley College, University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia
This book is an exceptional resource in the way it brings to light underrepresented issues in the academy and the church today. The global perspectives in this resource are like “a cry in the wilderness” to every listening ear. Every page throbs with resilience. It is sweeping, challenging, inspiring and applicable!
—Grace Al-Zoughbi
Lecturer in Biblical Studies,
Bethlehem Bible College, Palestine
This is a book that will engage seminary students, pastors, community leaders and activists alike, with thought-provoking essays and challenging questions for how best we are to live as followers of Christ in our many different ways and places.
—C. Rosalee Velloso Ewell, PhD
Principal,
Redcliffe College, Gloucester, UK
Executive Director,
Theological Commission, World Evangelical Alliance
This book is a rich distillation of twenty-first-century practitioner-wisdom; contextually relevant and laced with enduring biblical and theological insight. A recommended read for those thirsty for transformation.
—Carol Kingston-Smith
MA Tutor,
ForMission College, Birmingham, UK
Co-founder, “the jusTice initiative”
Relentless Love provides holistic hope in these challenging days. This collection brings together a wide range of profound reflective practitioners whose combined voice helps us better understand how to present the face of Christ with resilience, spirituality, compassion, and reconciliation.
—Perry Shaw, EdD
Former Professor of Christian Education,
Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon
In view of the worldwide events in our turbulent time, this book offers readers invaluable insight and understanding of resilience in integral mission of the global church. These multiple voices provide refreshing and compelling ways, in both theory and praxis, to embrace and embody the transforming power of the whole gospel for the whole creation.
—Xiaoli Yang, PhD
Research Scholar, University of Divinity,
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Melba Padilla Maggay
- Preface: Micah Global 7th Triennial Consultation
- Integral Mission and Resilient Communities Address in Poverty, Injustice, and Conflict
- Sheryl Haw
- Misión Integral
- The Challenge of World Christianity
- Graham Joseph Hill
- Part 1: Resilience, the Church, and Integral Mission
- Resilience and Integral Mission
- David Boan
- Righteousness, Suffering and Participation in Philippians 3:7–11
- Integral Mission and Paul’s Gospel
- Andrew Steere
- Dangerous Resilience?
- The Institutional Church and Its Systemic Resistance to Change
- Thandi Gamedze
- Poorology
- Getting the Seminary into the Slum
- Viv Grigg
- How Do Missionaries Become Resilient?
- Preliminary Findings from the Resilient Missionary Study
- Geoff Whiteman, Emily Edwards, Anna Savelle, and Kristina Whiteman
- The Gospel and the Future of Cities
- A Call to Action
- Participants of the Gospel and Future of Cities Summit
- Part 2: Resilience, Peace, and Justice
- Biblical Teachings on Social Justice
- Manavala Reuben
- Addressing Gender and Leadership Gaps in Development-Oriented Organizations
- Amy Reynolds and Nikki Toyama-Szeto
- Deeper Understanding for More Resilience in the Work for Peace and Justice
- Vilma “Nina” Balmaceda
- God’s Preference for the Poor
- The Bible and Social Justice in Ireland
- Patrick Mitchel
- Worship and Justice
- Spirituality that Embodies and Mobilizes for Justice
- Sandra Maria Van Opstal
- Proclamation and Demonstration
- CB Samuel
- What Is Required?
- Florence Muindi
- Beyond Compassion to Solidarity
- Peter McVerry
- Part 3: Resilience, Spirituality, and Compassion
- “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
- The Necessity of Lament for Spiritual Resilience in Contexts of Poverty and Injustice
- Clinton Bergsma
- Building Resilient Communities
- The Importance of Integrating Mental Health and Well-Being in Effective Development Thinking and Practice
- Becca Allchin, Stephanie Cantrill, and Helen Fernandes
- Indigenous Voices
- The Spiritual Strength of the Peoples of Abya Yala
- Jocabed Reina Solano Miselis
- The Gospel and Resilience in the Pursuit of the Common Good
- D. Zac Niringiye
- Against All Odds – and Ends
- Ruth Padilla DeBorst
- Resilience and Disaster and the Church’s Response
- Johannes Reimer
- Part 4: Resilience, Mobilization, and Partnerships
- Building Resilience with Local Churches and Communities
- Jané Mackenzie, Chris McDonald, Stanley Enock, and Mari Williams
- Church and Community Mobilization in Cooperation to Build Resilient Communities in South East Asia
- Fennelien Stal, Debora Suparni, Arshinta Soemarsono, and Norman Franklin C. Agustin
- Lessons from the Frontline of Global Movement-Building
- Reflections from Three Years of Tearfund’s Restorative Economy Approach
- Naomi Foxwood, Richard Gower, Helen Heather, and Sue Willsher
- North and South
- Boureima Diallo
- Part 5: Summaries from the Six Consultation Tracks
- “Church and Community Resilience” Consultation Track
- The Church at the Heart of the Resilient Community
- David Boan
- “Church and Corruption” Consultation Track
- Martin Allaby
- “Formation for Integral Mission (Discipleship)” Consultation Track
- Tori Greaves and Ruth Padilla DeBorst, INFEMIT
- “Urban Shalom” Consultation Track
- Joel Kelling and Fiona Kelling
- “Reconciliation as the Mission of the Church” Consultation Track
- Johannes Reimer
- “Integral Mission and Community Health” Consultation Track
- James Pender, Jim Oehrig, and Sara Kandiah
- Final Remarks
- Integral Mission and Community Resilience
- Sheryl Haw
- Bibliography
- About Micah Global
- List of Contributors