Fruitfulness on the Frontline

by Mark Greene

Daily life may never be quite the same.

In this horizon-expanding, spirit-lifting, heart-warming book Mark Greene serves up a liberating view of how God can and does work in and through us in our daily lives. Whether you're a student or retired, at the gym or at work, at the school gate or in the supermarket, here is a fresh and original framework for fruitfulness which will open up a host of possibilities to make a difference for Christ among the people you naturally meet in the places you find yourself day by day.

Brimming with true stories, the combination of fresh Biblical insight, humour and practical steps will not only spark your imagination; it will enrich your sense of wonder at the greatness and grace of the God who not only gave his life for us, but invites us to join him in his glorious, transforming work.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Religion, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really useful book that our church is reading just now for home discussion about applying Christian life to your working week rather than just Sundays. Opened it on the bus home tonight just after leaving a very intense day on a course which today was on goals and deciding what I should be doing with my (accounting) business going forward. Only to open the book and read the sentence "The Lord be with you in your accounting". So new rating criteria - 5 stars for a very clear message...

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really encouraging book that serves as a reminder to Christians about the many ways they can serve God wherever they find themselves.

[Derek Winterburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greene has written a book that will inspire Christians to put their faith into practice in the public world.

The author likes words and has crafted a book that is both a pleasure to read and profound. He suggests that where / when Christians encounter non-Christians they can be fruitful in the following ways: Modelling Good Character, Making Good Work, Ministering Grace and Love, Moulding Culture, Being a Mouthpiece for Truth and Justice and Being a Messenger of the Gospel. He freely admits that the 6M's is just his analysis, and there are not clear lines between each one.

Nevertheless this clear structure enables Greene to tease out the contours of a life of faith interacting with non-belief. There are two particular strengths of this book. First, from his years of work in this field, Greene has collected some very striking stories of how people have put their Christianity to work or (not!). This is no mere academic study - here is a collection of true stories. Then secondly the author has no end of little applications; concrete actions that connect with a range of people or situations.

I also thought the chapter on 'Proclaiming the Gospel' suggested a fresh way of thinking about 'personal evangelism.' I would like him to develop his treatment further.

Perhaps his 'ad-man' style is a little overdone in places, and some of his quips are so 2013 / British that their meaning is fading. But if the reader can get past those then s/he will be rewarded by a challenging and most helpful book.

[Nat S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book was a bit of a slog to get through, mostly because there wasn't much in it that I hadn't heard or thought about before. I'm sure that someone who hasn't really thought about how they could serve God's purposes in their 'frontline' (the setting in which they spend most of their time eg. workplace, school, care home) would get a lot more out of it than I did. But otherwise, well-written, well-explained and more than a little bit humorous!

[Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really helpful things here. At times some of it seemed obvious, but this was because I have the rare privilege of being part of an organisation that aims to help Christians integrate faith and work; the book was a reminder how few get this sort of teaching.
Concept of 'frontline' particularly helpful, and knowing that for some people at some times this may be quite narrow, but still the context they are working in.
Generally very good and believable stories. I wonder if they may date as the atmosphere towards Christians in UK workplaces gets ever more hostile.

6Ms concept generally useful.

At times some risk of getting quite post-millenial if we do the things suggested hoping we can reshape the world more than we perhaps can - although I don't think that is authors aim, and the theology is deliberately kept straightforward.
Helpful book for me personally and to help teach others from.

[Kevin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for validating us (in Gods eyes) where we are, and to some extent who we are. I am needed just where I am and can be empowered with Kingdom work, in whatever setting I now find myself in. Today that was with a young Romanian tatoo artist, as we looked at writing 'All for Jesus' in Maceodonian under a Celtic Cross, in a Celtic styled cyrillic script !! The 6Ms, put Making Good Work, on a par with Messenger of the Gospel, and Mouthpeice for Truth & Justice etc. The book gives the reader a healthy perspective on how we should view 'Christian Kingdom living'.

[Robert Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book to be rushed through. Greene lays out some hugely helpful principles to liberate Christians from thinking that overt proclamation is the only mark of fruit in their walk with Christ, and encourages them to think more widely of how the Lord might use them in their homes, workplaces, communities and schools. A book with the potential to make a real difference.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and immensely practical and helpful book. Challenging and encouraging without being too daunting at the same time! I really loved this book and would recommend it to anyone

[Jenny Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear, easy to read book. Very applicable.

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful way to look at every area of life as a frontline. A lot of food for thought. Well written and engaging.

[Fiona Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot although it was a little boring😳 sorryyyy

[Eilidh Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this one for work so (with all books I am told read as opposed to choosing to read) I was not enthusiastic about it but I ended up absolutely loving it! Since I work in ministry, this book was less applicable to since that's not the desired audience but I still found it really helpful for day-to-day life. Practical and insightful as to how every element of work and life can glorify God. Everyone should read this!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful books on living out your Christian faith I have read, and so well written. I highly recommend it.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always uneasy about the casual appropriation of military language for other spheres of life, be that health care or faith, but there is little doubt in my mind that the "frontline" metaphor espoused by Greene, Hudson and LICC is one of the most helpful and potentially culture-changing for the church and Christians moving the idea of missiology from being institutional to personal, without it becoming individualised. Whilst other books from this stable focus on the concept itself and how to implement it in churches this is largely focused on how it should impact on people's day to day lives. It is mainly made up of personal stories from different spheres underpinned by Biblical exegesis. There are times when I am slightly frustrated by some of that exegesis which is somewhat literal, but that's a discussion for another day and another book.

[Ian Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Greene writes in a way that is clear, warm, and friendly. His material is liberally scattered with stories from real life that bring his propositions to life. In this I case it is the idea that every person's frontline in life is where they interact with people and that this is the place they should focus on living for Christ. But this is not a book about evangelistic techniques, rather it presents a series of ways in which we are to be what Jesus wants us to be. Starting with modelling godly character it gives a framework for living and acting as followers of Jesus in the places he has put us. There are plenty of ideas of what sort of little things we might do to help pave the way for God to work through us in the lives of the people we mix with.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about how to be a Christian on the workplace. Lots of real-life stories and practical tips; strong grounding in the Bible. However, I did not find it very earth-shattering or particularly deep, hence not giving it a 5.

[Alison Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book recommended by the speaker on our church weekend away, basically challenging people to live authentic lives every day, wherever you find yourself ie at work, home, leisure and so on.
Had good examples and questions at the end of each chapter for reflection.