Pressure Points: Twelve Global Issues Shaping the Face of the Church

by J.D. Payne

Each generation of believers faces numerous challenges to the mission of the church. While the church does not have control over the large issues of each generation, its response to them is a matter of Kingdom stewardship. J. D. Payne gets to the heart of the twelve most important problems we face today. In Pressure Points J. D. helps us see how we can prevent these global issues from pushing the church off its biblical moorings, so we can absorb the pressures while responding in a way that remains faithful to the church’s calling and mission. Come to see that despite all the challenges, some of the greatest days for Kingdom advancement are ahead of us.
Topics

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

J. D. Payne (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is pastor of church multiplication at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, and has served as missionary.

Reviews

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book to be in the spirit of Schaeffer's How Should we then Live and Colson's How Now Should we Live but, in many ways, much more valuable because of its global outlook, mission emphasis and concise presentation (I read the whole thing in an afternoon). JD Payne's book is overlooked but it is more important than almost every popular Christian book that has outsold it in the past 2-3 years because it does the critical work of laying before the Church many of the most pressing matters of our day and asks every church, ministry and Christ-follower to consider how to respond faithfully and strategically. I don't know if I would have selected all of JD's pressure points had I written a similar book, but I would certainly have chosen most of them. I recommend this book wholeheartedly for every local church to work through together.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Payne's book gives a glance at the major issues facing the global church and missions in the future.

The biggest positive about this book is that it's main function is to make North American Christians about global issues. However, it's purpose is just to make aware. Payne is not able to treat each of these issues in depth or propose solutions. It would have been more helpful if he had included bibliographies of resources that treat each issue more comprehensively.

It's a good starting point, but not a sufficient stopping point. I think Payne accomplishes the goal he set out to, but I still want more.

[Dr. Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find unhelpful Payne's drive-by observation on a couple of points. I.e. critiquing missionary theological ed without offering a better approach (how does he want to train pastors?), or rapidity being the driving factor in mission strategy (maybe long-term health and rapidity are not the same goal?). That said, I recommend the book as a resource to start thinking about realities of the world today and how the church and its mission ought to exist and make disciples in light of them.

[Kyle Reschke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good primer on 12 issues that are truly shaping the face of the global church. While each of the 12 topics could be an in depth study or dissertation, JD Payne did a good job of qualitative and quantitative analysis of current trends. Something that would be helpful in follow up for this read are more practical suggestions and steps as churches of all sizes and resources seek t0 engage well.

[Josh Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book I would normally read, but very glad I did. Very informative and easy to digest. No information overload, just good sound content. Would recommend.