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Diffusion: Connecting with God, Self, and Others for Missional Living
Many Christians have rejected past evangelistic methods for being manipulative, coercive, or simply ineffectual. In contrast, Sue M. Holdsworth demonstrates how mission, including evangelism, can occur naturally, in contexts of relationships with friends and colleagues. She encourages readers to develop genuine, mutually enriching relationships with non-church friends. Developing interpersonal skills and fostering deep connection with God, our inner selves, and with other Christians, will enable readers to engage in life-affirming ways that encourage people to self-disclose and talk of life and meaning together.
Using stories, real-life illustrations, and the wisdom of others, the author sets out a path for readers to engage in interpersonal mission that creates opportunities for evangelism, while celebrating non-church friends as they are. Questions at the end of each chapter make this book suitable for use by home groups and adult Sunday schools.
Using stories, real-life illustrations, and the wisdom of others, the author sets out a path for readers to engage in interpersonal mission that creates opportunities for evangelism, while celebrating non-church friends as they are. Questions at the end of each chapter make this book suitable for use by home groups and adult Sunday schools.
164 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 9, 2026
Really enjoying this book. Haven't quite finished it yet but I love Sue's commonsense way of sharing with others, not preaching or talking at them, but with them and sharing in a loving way.
It confirms what I and my husband have been doing for quite sometime, sharing with others on a casual and daily basis. And often I find that others will start to ask questions which opens the door for sharing more.
Thank you Sue for explaining that this is also a way of doing Missions on a local basis. I will continue to diffuse locally, sharing and loving as opportunities arise.
It confirms what I and my husband have been doing for quite sometime, sharing with others on a casual and daily basis. And often I find that others will start to ask questions which opens the door for sharing more.
Thank you Sue for explaining that this is also a way of doing Missions on a local basis. I will continue to diffuse locally, sharing and loving as opportunities arise.
October 21, 2026
Diffusion offers an encouraging and thoughtful vision of Christian mission grounded in everyday relationships. Sue M. Holdsworth draws together pastoral care, spiritual formation and practical experience to explore what it means to communicate God’s love through the way we live.
The book gives real substance to familiar ideas such as listening, hospitality and compassion. Holdsworth considers how we make space for another person’s story, recognise our own assumptions, and offer care that respects their dignity and choices. Her emphasis on mutuality is especially valuable: people outside the church bring wisdom, friendship and gifts that Christians also need to receive.
The chapters on listening and celebrating people are particularly strong. They encourage patient attention, genuine enjoyment of others and an appreciation of each person’s worth. The discussion of care also extends to empowerment and advocacy, connecting personal kindness with a willingness to address injustice.
Throughout, Holdsworth connects outward care with prayer, Scripture and the support of Christian community. Conversations about faith have a meaningful place within this approach, growing from relationships marked by trust and respect.
Personal examples, reflection questions and practical exercises make Diffusion well suited to home groups, pastoral care teams and congregations exploring mission together. A warm, constructive and challenging resource for Christians who want their faith to shape their daily encounters with others.
The book gives real substance to familiar ideas such as listening, hospitality and compassion. Holdsworth considers how we make space for another person’s story, recognise our own assumptions, and offer care that respects their dignity and choices. Her emphasis on mutuality is especially valuable: people outside the church bring wisdom, friendship and gifts that Christians also need to receive.
The chapters on listening and celebrating people are particularly strong. They encourage patient attention, genuine enjoyment of others and an appreciation of each person’s worth. The discussion of care also extends to empowerment and advocacy, connecting personal kindness with a willingness to address injustice.
Throughout, Holdsworth connects outward care with prayer, Scripture and the support of Christian community. Conversations about faith have a meaningful place within this approach, growing from relationships marked by trust and respect.
Personal examples, reflection questions and practical exercises make Diffusion well suited to home groups, pastoral care teams and congregations exploring mission together. A warm, constructive and challenging resource for Christians who want their faith to shape their daily encounters with others.
October 20, 2026
Why do we make “mission” so complicated? Sue Holdsworth has done us a great service by addressing this question. When i was younger Iwas told that before I could share my faith with people, I had to be across certain formulae and schooled in FAQs. People were regarded as “targets” or “goals” to be reached or won.
Sue Holdsworth reminds us that people are not primarily evangelistic projects.
She also reminds us that we do not have to learn sales techniques; that we only have to bear witness to what we have experienced in God. We don’t have to pretend to be somebody else.
In fact, we are probably more able to engage with people on any level if we show respect for who they are, what they think, and where they come from. If we can learn from them, we are more able to share what is important for us.
It is a refreshing, accessible book about the importance of attending to one’s own needs as well tat the needs of others.
I would have more about what happens to “friendship” if our friends make choices other than the ones I have made about life the universe and everything or how do we avoid the “us and them” feeling arising from a commitment to mission.
It is a good place to start these important discussions.
Sue Holdsworth reminds us that people are not primarily evangelistic projects.
She also reminds us that we do not have to learn sales techniques; that we only have to bear witness to what we have experienced in God. We don’t have to pretend to be somebody else.
In fact, we are probably more able to engage with people on any level if we show respect for who they are, what they think, and where they come from. If we can learn from them, we are more able to share what is important for us.
It is a refreshing, accessible book about the importance of attending to one’s own needs as well tat the needs of others.
I would have more about what happens to “friendship” if our friends make choices other than the ones I have made about life the universe and everything or how do we avoid the “us and them” feeling arising from a commitment to mission.
It is a good place to start these important discussions.
October 11, 2026
The opening chapter describes how the evangelical approach to Christian mission has been interpreted and practised in the past. Using examples, including some from her own experience, the author goes on to demonstrate why this wasn’t working. The rest of the book is devoted to showing better ways in which God’s love can be shown to others. Above all, it’s important to build relationships of mutuality and respect. Acceptance of and willing to listen to the beliefs of others is essential, and it’s probably a good idea to wait until invited to share one’s own beliefs. This includes circumstances in which churches provide help to asylum seekers and immigrants in the form of English classes eg, along with other resources.
Finally the author highlights the importance of accountability within a Christian community of those providing care, while also maintaining the confidentiality of those seeking it.
The target audience is Christians in general and I know many who’ve already adopted this approach. I found it to be a very practical and readable guide.
Finally the author highlights the importance of accountability within a Christian community of those providing care, while also maintaining the confidentiality of those seeking it.
The target audience is Christians in general and I know many who’ve already adopted this approach. I found it to be a very practical and readable guide.
October 18, 2026
'Diffusion' is a refreshing read for anyone who has felt uneasy with mission approaches that seem to view people as projects to win rather than image-bearers to be loved. Sue Holdsworth presents mission not as a method, but as a way of life rooted in the missio Dei - joining God in what He is already doing through listening, hospitality, compassion and genuine relationships. Her greatest contribution is the reminder that prayer, community, listening and love are not alternatives to mission – they are the soil from which mission grows. This book will encourage those involved in vocational ministry and ordinary Christians alike who are seeking to follow Jesus faithfully where He leads. Holdsworth's call is not to “do” more mission, but to become the kind of people through whom God's love naturally flows.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews