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Mission Is the Shape of Water: Learning From the Past to Inform Our Role in the World Today
In an ever-changing world, how can we learn from the past to discern the shape of mission today?
In our contemporary culture, the mission of God can seem elusive and hard to define. We often focus on the present moment, losing sight of the epic story of God that has been unfolding through the ages. Michael Frost offers a compelling framework for understanding mission by drawing on the rich tapestry of Christian history and revealing how context shapes mission, just as a bottle shapes water.
Through captivating storytelling and perceptive analysis, this book sheds light on how the shape of mission has changed over time, enabling us to learn from past successes and failures, and inspiring and equipping readers to engage in the mission of God in new and transformative ways.
In our contemporary culture, the mission of God can seem elusive and hard to define. We often focus on the present moment, losing sight of the epic story of God that has been unfolding through the ages. Michael Frost offers a compelling framework for understanding mission by drawing on the rich tapestry of Christian history and revealing how context shapes mission, just as a bottle shapes water.
Through captivating storytelling and perceptive analysis, this book sheds light on how the shape of mission has changed over time, enabling us to learn from past successes and failures, and inspiring and equipping readers to engage in the mission of God in new and transformative ways.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2023
33 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Michael Frost
61 books100 followersMichael Frost is the founding director of the Tinsley Institute at Morling College. He is an internationally recognised Australian missiologist and one of the leading voices in the missional church movement. His books are required reading in colleges and seminaries around the world and he is much sought after as an international conference speaker. Michael Frost blogs at mikefrost.net
See also other Michael Frosts.
See also other Michael Frosts.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 25, 2023
This is a brilliant book and one that I have been recommending to all my mission students. The content is well crafted and the stories from history are thought provoking and inspiring. I love Mike's ability to challenge his readers, but also call them to action. I was so honored to be sent a draft copy and help pray this book into being!! Loved the finished product and will be gifting this book to many of my friends as we seek to learn from the past to inform our roles in the world today.
December 11, 2023
A Must-Read Journey from Past to Future
Mike Frost's latest book really hit it out of the park. It's all about how mission has changed over time to fit different eras in church history.
Frosty doesn't shy away from pointing out where we've tripped up in the past, making it clear God's work still keeps going strong no matter the era. He also gives each chapter a neat spin by showing how we can learn from past to do better today.
"Mission Is the Shape of Water" is a great read packed with lessons from our past to help us shape a better future. If you ask me, it's a must-read!
Mike Frost's latest book really hit it out of the park. It's all about how mission has changed over time to fit different eras in church history.
Frosty doesn't shy away from pointing out where we've tripped up in the past, making it clear God's work still keeps going strong no matter the era. He also gives each chapter a neat spin by showing how we can learn from past to do better today.
"Mission Is the Shape of Water" is a great read packed with lessons from our past to help us shape a better future. If you ask me, it's a must-read!
September 25, 2023
It’s been said before that history is written by the winners, but sometimes, it’s not so much about who writes it as much as about who actually reads it and studies it.
Missiologist Michael Frost takes time to walk through the history of missions throughout the world in “Mission Is the Shape of Water.” Frost walks his readers through what he calls the ten shapes: God Slaying, Peacemaking, Flame Bearing, Spirit Seeking, Wordsmithing, Freedom Fighting, Unshackling, Contextualizing, Remissioning, and Unearthing.
Frost shares stories of people in grassroots movements that aren’t led by experts or great influencers. The people that Frost shares about are “ordinary spirit-led missionaries.” As he shares the off-the-beaten-path history of Kingdom builders in the world, he cautions his readers of being too myopic when he writes of our tendency to only look immediately in front of us rather than backwards as well. “We only focus on the events right in front of us and lose sight of the epic story that has unfolded up until this point.” Amen.
With a prophetic voice that cuts to the quick of the consumeristic Western church, Frost writes freely and honestly about our need to be present and proximate, not coming in as “saviors” but as neighbors and friends. Quoting from the Parish Collective, he reminds us that, “If we don’t learn to be the church in our everyday lives, we lose our power to collectively confront injustices, we ignore the gifts of our neighbors and we perpetuate the systems that keep us apart.”
The movement of God throughout history has not necessarily moved in a straight line, but has ebbed and flowed, just like water, “...the exact contours of the mission of God’s people are fluid…And throughout history, our mission has been shaped differently, depending on the challenges and interests of people in each epoch.”
As I started reading “Mission Is the Shape of Water,” I found myself wondering where Frost was going. Why all these stories? What was the point? But as these stories unfolded on the pages, he began to tie them together, showing us a much more colorful and diverse picture of God’s Kingdom work through the centuries. As God’s people explored cultures rather than overtaking cultures, the different expressions of the Church took shape in such ways that made a far greater impact than simple cookie cutter techniques would have made. Frost not only shares the stories of success, he shares the stories that stand as fair warning for all of us to be cautious of our approach to being part of the Mission of God in the world.
As he winds down the book, Frost throws out questions that, if properly wrestled with, might actually cause us to shape things more in the way God calls us rather than the ways that have led us to what we see in the church today. Part of that is admitting that maybe what we’ve been striving for isn’t what we should be striving for after all. “What if the church in post-Christendom eschews any inclination to dominate or control the culture in which it finds itself? What if faithfulness becomes our metric rather than triumph?” As he says, maybe “we aren’t supposed to prevail.”
If you have been feeling dissatisfied with trends that we’ve come to see, accept, and promote in the Western church, I highly recommend this book. A word of warning: it may make you mad, it may challenge your thinking, it may frustrate you, and you might not agree with everything. But if it helps to move you to finding just what shape your mission should be taking in the place where God has planted you, then I’d say it’s all worth it.
Missiologist Michael Frost takes time to walk through the history of missions throughout the world in “Mission Is the Shape of Water.” Frost walks his readers through what he calls the ten shapes: God Slaying, Peacemaking, Flame Bearing, Spirit Seeking, Wordsmithing, Freedom Fighting, Unshackling, Contextualizing, Remissioning, and Unearthing.
Frost shares stories of people in grassroots movements that aren’t led by experts or great influencers. The people that Frost shares about are “ordinary spirit-led missionaries.” As he shares the off-the-beaten-path history of Kingdom builders in the world, he cautions his readers of being too myopic when he writes of our tendency to only look immediately in front of us rather than backwards as well. “We only focus on the events right in front of us and lose sight of the epic story that has unfolded up until this point.” Amen.
With a prophetic voice that cuts to the quick of the consumeristic Western church, Frost writes freely and honestly about our need to be present and proximate, not coming in as “saviors” but as neighbors and friends. Quoting from the Parish Collective, he reminds us that, “If we don’t learn to be the church in our everyday lives, we lose our power to collectively confront injustices, we ignore the gifts of our neighbors and we perpetuate the systems that keep us apart.”
The movement of God throughout history has not necessarily moved in a straight line, but has ebbed and flowed, just like water, “...the exact contours of the mission of God’s people are fluid…And throughout history, our mission has been shaped differently, depending on the challenges and interests of people in each epoch.”
As I started reading “Mission Is the Shape of Water,” I found myself wondering where Frost was going. Why all these stories? What was the point? But as these stories unfolded on the pages, he began to tie them together, showing us a much more colorful and diverse picture of God’s Kingdom work through the centuries. As God’s people explored cultures rather than overtaking cultures, the different expressions of the Church took shape in such ways that made a far greater impact than simple cookie cutter techniques would have made. Frost not only shares the stories of success, he shares the stories that stand as fair warning for all of us to be cautious of our approach to being part of the Mission of God in the world.
As he winds down the book, Frost throws out questions that, if properly wrestled with, might actually cause us to shape things more in the way God calls us rather than the ways that have led us to what we see in the church today. Part of that is admitting that maybe what we’ve been striving for isn’t what we should be striving for after all. “What if the church in post-Christendom eschews any inclination to dominate or control the culture in which it finds itself? What if faithfulness becomes our metric rather than triumph?” As he says, maybe “we aren’t supposed to prevail.”
If you have been feeling dissatisfied with trends that we’ve come to see, accept, and promote in the Western church, I highly recommend this book. A word of warning: it may make you mad, it may challenge your thinking, it may frustrate you, and you might not agree with everything. But if it helps to move you to finding just what shape your mission should be taking in the place where God has planted you, then I’d say it’s all worth it.
October 2, 2023
I have read most books by Michael Frost, and have always been encouraged and challenged by them.
In his latest book, he traces the good, the bad and the ugly of the church's missional journey. In this book, he walks us readers through what he calls the ten shapes:
God Slaying,
Peacemaking,
Flame Bearing,
Spirit Seeking,
Wordsmithing,
Freedom Fighting,
Unshackling,
Contextualizing,
Remissioning, and,
Unearthing.
“Mission,” he writes, “must never be about transplanting British or American forms of Christianity into foreign fields.” Having spent some time in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda that is something that the church there wrestles with: why did missionaries bring so much British (especially) forms of Christianity to our land.
The movement of God throughout history has seldom moved in a straight line, but has ebbed and flowed, just like water, “...the exact contours of the mission of God’s people are fluid…And throughout history, our mission has been shaped differently, depending on the challenges and interests of people in each epoch.”
One of the things that I appreciate about the history that Michael Frost traces in this book is he doesn't shy away from the bad and the ugly parts of church history. But he also puts those parts in the context of their day. It's an important reminder that what we take for granted today may not be the best approach. As these stories are unfolded, Frost ties them together, showing us a colourful and diverse picture of God’s Kingdom work in different times and cultures.
At the end of the book, Frost gives some questions that, if we wrestled with them, might cause us to shape things more in the way God calls us rather than the ways that have led us to what we see in the church today. Part of that is admitting that maybe what we’ve been striving for isn’t what we should be striving for after all. “What if the church in post-Christendom eschews any inclination to dominate or control the culture in which it finds itself? What if faithfulness becomes our metric rather than triumph?”
“This is the gospel,” Frost writes, “Christ is king...as proved by his birth, life, miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection...and a relationship with him unites us into a world of deliverance, justice, peace, healing, community, joy, and the experience of God’s presence. These are the very things we need to be sharing with this current generation.”
You may find the book a little slow to get going, but I highly recommend this book.
In his latest book, he traces the good, the bad and the ugly of the church's missional journey. In this book, he walks us readers through what he calls the ten shapes:
God Slaying,
Peacemaking,
Flame Bearing,
Spirit Seeking,
Wordsmithing,
Freedom Fighting,
Unshackling,
Contextualizing,
Remissioning, and,
Unearthing.
“Mission,” he writes, “must never be about transplanting British or American forms of Christianity into foreign fields.” Having spent some time in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda that is something that the church there wrestles with: why did missionaries bring so much British (especially) forms of Christianity to our land.
The movement of God throughout history has seldom moved in a straight line, but has ebbed and flowed, just like water, “...the exact contours of the mission of God’s people are fluid…And throughout history, our mission has been shaped differently, depending on the challenges and interests of people in each epoch.”
One of the things that I appreciate about the history that Michael Frost traces in this book is he doesn't shy away from the bad and the ugly parts of church history. But he also puts those parts in the context of their day. It's an important reminder that what we take for granted today may not be the best approach. As these stories are unfolded, Frost ties them together, showing us a colourful and diverse picture of God’s Kingdom work in different times and cultures.
At the end of the book, Frost gives some questions that, if we wrestled with them, might cause us to shape things more in the way God calls us rather than the ways that have led us to what we see in the church today. Part of that is admitting that maybe what we’ve been striving for isn’t what we should be striving for after all. “What if the church in post-Christendom eschews any inclination to dominate or control the culture in which it finds itself? What if faithfulness becomes our metric rather than triumph?”
“This is the gospel,” Frost writes, “Christ is king...as proved by his birth, life, miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection...and a relationship with him unites us into a world of deliverance, justice, peace, healing, community, joy, and the experience of God’s presence. These are the very things we need to be sharing with this current generation.”
You may find the book a little slow to get going, but I highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2023
In his work, Frost skillfully delves into the evolution of missions throughout history, shedding light on their development and demonstrating how we can draw valuable lessons to apply in our own contemporary context. What sets Frost's approach apart is his inclusion of lesser-known historical examples, which not only captivate the reader's interest but also serve as a wellspring of encouragement and practical insights for those seeking to learn from the past.
One of Frost's remarkable contributions lies in his ability to elucidate the interconnectedness of historical missions and their relevance to our present endeavors. He emphasizes that simply copying and pasting missions from the past is insufficient; instead, he advocates for the importance of adaptation and contextualization. By connecting the dots between historical missions and their applicability today, Frost underscores the critical need to tailor our efforts to the specific circumstances we face and people we are serving. This approach not only ensures the relevance of our missions but also enhances their effectiveness and impact.
In essence, Frost's work serves as a valuable guide for individuals and organizations aiming to craft meaningful missions that resonate with the challenges and opportunities of their time. It emphasizes the importance of learning from history while stressing the necessity of flexibility and adaptation in mission formation. Frost's exploration of this topic enriches our understanding of how missions can evolve and thrive across different eras and contexts, making his insights a valuable resource for anyone interested in what it means to join into the mission of God, now.
"We can learn from the earliest Christians how to invest great confidence in the faithfulness of God and the uniqueness of Christ. We can admire their uncompromising stance on condemning the
oppression of religious neuroticism caused by polytheism. But now is the time for greater circumspection. We bear the burden of the inconsistent history of the church and need to learn ways to free people from the domination of their idols without resorting to coercion and control." (pg 20)
One of Frost's remarkable contributions lies in his ability to elucidate the interconnectedness of historical missions and their relevance to our present endeavors. He emphasizes that simply copying and pasting missions from the past is insufficient; instead, he advocates for the importance of adaptation and contextualization. By connecting the dots between historical missions and their applicability today, Frost underscores the critical need to tailor our efforts to the specific circumstances we face and people we are serving. This approach not only ensures the relevance of our missions but also enhances their effectiveness and impact.
In essence, Frost's work serves as a valuable guide for individuals and organizations aiming to craft meaningful missions that resonate with the challenges and opportunities of their time. It emphasizes the importance of learning from history while stressing the necessity of flexibility and adaptation in mission formation. Frost's exploration of this topic enriches our understanding of how missions can evolve and thrive across different eras and contexts, making his insights a valuable resource for anyone interested in what it means to join into the mission of God, now.
"We can learn from the earliest Christians how to invest great confidence in the faithfulness of God and the uniqueness of Christ. We can admire their uncompromising stance on condemning the
oppression of religious neuroticism caused by polytheism. But now is the time for greater circumspection. We bear the burden of the inconsistent history of the church and need to learn ways to free people from the domination of their idols without resorting to coercion and control." (pg 20)
September 25, 2023
If, like me, you are a Follower of the Way of Jesus who longs for an understanding of mission that is beautiful, grace-filled, life-giving, honest, and refreshing, this road is an enlightened road. If you are looking for such a path, our brother, Michael Frost, is an anointed guide.
From the very beginning of the book, I was captivated by what he shares about the need for us to expand our missional imagination, widening it to include the voices of those who are typically overlooked, and allowing it to be shaped by our context, as a bottle shapes water.
"We need Christians to be sensitive to the cultural and philosophical landscape in which they find themselves and to develop missional responses specific to that context."
I am struck by how Michael Frost explores what was compelling about early Followers of the Way - how what they shared and testified of was not memorized or prepared, but experiential, communal, and sincere.
Witnesses convinced of this Way agreed with and supported one another, giving reasons for the depth of their faith in Jesus. This Way that did not/does not involve terror or brutality, but was/is loving and trustworthy. True followers of this simple Way were/are hope-filled, unbound, experiencing and practicing freedom, liberation, hospitality, benevolence, kindness, love, forgiveness, and care.
The book includes a quote from Timothy Keller who describes idols as “. . . something we look to for things only God can give.” I am reminded that we need to identify and confront, not only the motivations of those who misrepresent the Way of Jesus but the idols I have nurtured in my own life. I need to ask myself what I’m defending and what is so important that I can’t live without?
All that to say that I highly recommend this book!
From the very beginning of the book, I was captivated by what he shares about the need for us to expand our missional imagination, widening it to include the voices of those who are typically overlooked, and allowing it to be shaped by our context, as a bottle shapes water.
"We need Christians to be sensitive to the cultural and philosophical landscape in which they find themselves and to develop missional responses specific to that context."
I am struck by how Michael Frost explores what was compelling about early Followers of the Way - how what they shared and testified of was not memorized or prepared, but experiential, communal, and sincere.
Witnesses convinced of this Way agreed with and supported one another, giving reasons for the depth of their faith in Jesus. This Way that did not/does not involve terror or brutality, but was/is loving and trustworthy. True followers of this simple Way were/are hope-filled, unbound, experiencing and practicing freedom, liberation, hospitality, benevolence, kindness, love, forgiveness, and care.
The book includes a quote from Timothy Keller who describes idols as “. . . something we look to for things only God can give.” I am reminded that we need to identify and confront, not only the motivations of those who misrepresent the Way of Jesus but the idols I have nurtured in my own life. I need to ask myself what I’m defending and what is so important that I can’t live without?
All that to say that I highly recommend this book!
September 18, 2023
What a fabulous book! The basic premise is that as water remains the same even as it takes the shape of that which holds it, the essence of kingdom of God remains the same, even as its shape is determined by the context in which it flows. From there Frost leads his readers on a wonderful journey through the shape on missions from the earliest days of the church until now.
I’m not sure that I love the phrase “well-balanced” but it’s very apt here. Not only are there inspiring stories of those who championed Jesus and his Kingdom well, but also those who got it very wrong, either through wilfulness or misguidedness. These cautionary tales are as valuable as the success stories.
Frost has a great writing style, it’s an accessible read with engaging content and a satisfying structure. There is a lot of information, but it never feels like hard work, rather an invigorating travail through stories, philosophies and world movements that is thought provoking, encouraging and challenging in equal measure.
It’s obviously a fabulous resource for those who love church and missions history. I also highly recommend it to those who simply want to be inspired and challenged by what God has done and is inviting us into for the present and future!
If the goal of this book was to inspire Christians to embrace the stories of the past to inform how we continue to be faithful in the present and the future, then Frost has hit the mark perfectly.
I’m not sure that I love the phrase “well-balanced” but it’s very apt here. Not only are there inspiring stories of those who championed Jesus and his Kingdom well, but also those who got it very wrong, either through wilfulness or misguidedness. These cautionary tales are as valuable as the success stories.
Frost has a great writing style, it’s an accessible read with engaging content and a satisfying structure. There is a lot of information, but it never feels like hard work, rather an invigorating travail through stories, philosophies and world movements that is thought provoking, encouraging and challenging in equal measure.
It’s obviously a fabulous resource for those who love church and missions history. I also highly recommend it to those who simply want to be inspired and challenged by what God has done and is inviting us into for the present and future!
If the goal of this book was to inspire Christians to embrace the stories of the past to inform how we continue to be faithful in the present and the future, then Frost has hit the mark perfectly.
August 19, 2025
Really enjoyed reading and being challenged by this book. What the author does is to give a summary of Christian missions over the centuries giving examples of many church traditions and various denominations. It dives into the negative impact of empires colonizing other nations. A great deal of evil has been done in the name of Christianity all over the world
It emphasizes the need for Christians to reassess their methods of sharing the good news and to consider the contemporary cultural context in order to do the work effectively. This is why mission is like water. The basic facts about Jesus as Savior do not change, but the methods of presentation must vary.
Wirioneddol wedi mwynhau darllen a chael fy herio gan y gyfrol hon. Yr hyn a wna'r awdur yw rhoi crynodeb o genhadu Cristnogol dros y canrifoedd gan roi enghreifftiau o lu o draddodiadau eglwysig ac enwadau amrywiol. Y mae'n plymio i effaith negyddol ymerodraethau yn coloneiddio cenhedloedd eraill. Gwnaed llawer iawn o ddrwg yn enw Cristnogaeth ar hyd a lled y byd
Mae'n pwysleisio'r angen i Gristnogion ail asesu eu dulliau o rannu'r newyddion da ac i ystyried y cyd-destun diwylliannol cyfoes er mwyn gwneud y gwaith yn effeithiol. Dyma pam fod cenhadu fel dŵr. Nid yw'r ffeithiau sylfaenol am Iesu fel Gwaredwr yn newid, ond rhaid i'r dulliau o gyflwyno amrywio.
It emphasizes the need for Christians to reassess their methods of sharing the good news and to consider the contemporary cultural context in order to do the work effectively. This is why mission is like water. The basic facts about Jesus as Savior do not change, but the methods of presentation must vary.
Wirioneddol wedi mwynhau darllen a chael fy herio gan y gyfrol hon. Yr hyn a wna'r awdur yw rhoi crynodeb o genhadu Cristnogol dros y canrifoedd gan roi enghreifftiau o lu o draddodiadau eglwysig ac enwadau amrywiol. Y mae'n plymio i effaith negyddol ymerodraethau yn coloneiddio cenhedloedd eraill. Gwnaed llawer iawn o ddrwg yn enw Cristnogaeth ar hyd a lled y byd
Mae'n pwysleisio'r angen i Gristnogion ail asesu eu dulliau o rannu'r newyddion da ac i ystyried y cyd-destun diwylliannol cyfoes er mwyn gwneud y gwaith yn effeithiol. Dyma pam fod cenhadu fel dŵr. Nid yw'r ffeithiau sylfaenol am Iesu fel Gwaredwr yn newid, ond rhaid i'r dulliau o gyflwyno amrywio.
September 25, 2023
The flame of mission has burned throughout the history of the church. Sometimes it has burned with heat and intensity; sometimes it has barely been a flicker. But the Lord by his Spirit has never abandoned the task, nor abandoned the church. Michael Frost, in this excellent book, traces the movements of the Spirit through time. This is not simply a journey through church history, rather it shows how God’s people have been on mission, in many places and in many ways. These movements of the Spirit have much to teach us today, and Frost, in an inspiring way, calls these out, and calls us to engage mission in our context. Emil Brunner wrote: “The Church exists by mission, just as a fire exists by burning. Where there is no mission there is no Church; and where there is neither Church nor mission, there is no faith.”
This is a hopeful book for the future of the church. This book guides us towards a re-imagined future. We do not imitate the past, but we boldly move onto new frontiers. Knowing that the Lord continues to work as we remain faithful and alert.
Kurt Fredrickson
Fuller Theological Seminary
This is a hopeful book for the future of the church. This book guides us towards a re-imagined future. We do not imitate the past, but we boldly move onto new frontiers. Knowing that the Lord continues to work as we remain faithful and alert.
Kurt Fredrickson
Fuller Theological Seminary
March 17, 2024
I was first impressed by hearing Michael Frost preach. Since then, I've discovered there's quite a bit more to Dr Frost. Google him.
This is a clever, readable, challenging book. It's history, yet never dull. Frost takes us through 2000 years of Christians trying to find the best ways to communicate their faith. The stories are told in ten "shapes": the ways the church has thought about and delivered the good news of Jesus. Frost does this in an objective, entertaining way and doesn't hold back critique where it's warranted. For example, in the overlap of missionary -ending and colonialism in 18th and 19th centuries.
It's history with a purpose. To challenge us to think about mission in the future. In a mind-stretching epilogue Frost outlines ideas that all Christians need to read and contemplate.
Highly reccomended.
This is a clever, readable, challenging book. It's history, yet never dull. Frost takes us through 2000 years of Christians trying to find the best ways to communicate their faith. The stories are told in ten "shapes": the ways the church has thought about and delivered the good news of Jesus. Frost does this in an objective, entertaining way and doesn't hold back critique where it's warranted. For example, in the overlap of missionary -ending and colonialism in 18th and 19th centuries.
It's history with a purpose. To challenge us to think about mission in the future. In a mind-stretching epilogue Frost outlines ideas that all Christians need to read and contemplate.
Highly reccomended.
September 25, 2023
Having read some of Michael's work in the past I was expecting it to be good. But honestly I surprised by just how refreshing it was to read about mission in a way that makes sense to me as a missions field worker. It was so helpful to me to see examples from some of the little known or talked about parts of church history and how God has used non-traditional means to reach people throughout time. For someone who generally finds missiology books difficult to relate to this was a great change. Thanks to Michael Frost for making the missionaries of the past into real fallible people, who didn't always have a clear plan, pure motives or any idea of the long term impact of what they were doing.
November 20, 2023
This is an excellent book that should be read by every Christian who wants to understand the development of the world Christian movement. Frost takes us on a journey exploring, and telling stories about the 10 "shapes" of mission which have brought us to where we are today. I love the story approach - Frost is an excellent story teller. I love the thematic approach - one that I first learned to appreciate while studying at Fuller Seminary under Dr. Paul Pierson. I also love the fact Frost gives us some pictures of what the future of the Church could look like. If you are serious about wanting to understand the past and present state of the global church and would like a perspective on the future, I would encourage you to read this book.
December 19, 2023
This book at first glance may seem like a book for just someone working in overseas missions BUT it is not. Michael Frost gives us a glimpse how missions has changed over time to adjust to the needs and culture while holding firm to the core beliefs of the Christian faith. This book last few chapters addresses the Western church which I think ever person needs to read (pastors, laypeople, college students, missionaries). He addresses contextualization and the move of the future church. I highly recommend this book to better understand our culture today!
October 30, 2023
Find our place in today’s world
Just was water gains its shape from the receptacle that holds it, mission can look different in various periods of time and culture. Michael Frost takes us on a valuable journey through history and leaves us with a sense of hopefulness about the future of a church that is ready to discover its place in today’s world and time.
Just was water gains its shape from the receptacle that holds it, mission can look different in various periods of time and culture. Michael Frost takes us on a valuable journey through history and leaves us with a sense of hopefulness about the future of a church that is ready to discover its place in today’s world and time.
June 25, 2025
Enlightening
I like this book. Makes us think.
There was only one thing i did not agree with. What I did not appreciate was making a heroe out of a very young environmentalist activist with not much life experience. I thought that was taking a populist stance. This is just my personal view.
I like this book. Makes us think.
There was only one thing i did not agree with. What I did not appreciate was making a heroe out of a very young environmentalist activist with not much life experience. I thought that was taking a populist stance. This is just my personal view.
January 12, 2026
A great book to expand your mind around mission and evangelism. Challenging in the best ways. Took some grit and determination to finish but I’m so glad I did. All the way to the end there is new insight and encouragement for living on mission today.
September 20, 2023
Essential reading for those in (or interested in) Christian ministry.
September 25, 2023
Must read for all Ministry Leaders
Michael Frost once again writes a compelling work. He challenges us to reconsider what mission is and how we live that out in the cultures we are planted today.
Michael Frost once again writes a compelling work. He challenges us to reconsider what mission is and how we live that out in the cultures we are planted today.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews