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No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions
"A practical discussion of methods for Christian missionaries, recommending a return to traditional methods"--
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2021
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August 5, 2022
If you want a window into the current trends in missiology, and a window into some of the challenges of long-term cross cultural ministry, this book is superb.
Chapters 2, 3, and 9 are the standout chapters.
Rhodes serves us well in summarizing many of the unhelpful assumptions and practices promoted by movement methodologies--and he brings the receipts. He has done hard work of quoting these brothers to demonstrate from their own words what they believe. And he has worked hard to keep separate what the written proponents of these methodologies have said from some of the consequences or mis-applications of their teaching in the field. He's done the difficult work of treating these men as fellow Christians with good intentions, and holding their teaching to the light of Scripture.
He also provides helpful pushback against an 'overly spiritualized' view of ministry which is not necessarily promoted by movement guys, but seems to be in the zeitgeist of much of evangelicalism.
Combined, he argues for the need of disciplined study and cultivated wisdom in order to faithfully carry out the task. Towards the end of the book, there are some assertions that on their own could be taken to be dismissing risk or subjective feelings altogether. But read in context, Rhodes is working to correct a thoroughly unhelpful trend that presumes that the Spirit cannot work in the minds of those he inhabits.
A couple things do weaken the book over all. One is his commitment to the term 'professional' as summarizing discipline and a pursuit of excellence is confusing, in that it can lend itself to treating his emphasis on language and cultural acquisition as an alternative methodology that guarantees results if done properly (something Rhodes is *definitely not* arguing. I think there are better terms to convey a commitment to that work with less accompanying baggage. Second, his chapter on missionaries as ambassadors is confusing. It left me unclear as to whether all Christians are ambassadors in any sense, and in what sense missionaries are ambassadors. Third, the subtitle calling this a 'manifesto' is unhelpful. This book really only lays one plank for the work: pursue the long road of faithfulness, not get-spiritually-rich-quick schemes. There are many other important aspects of the mission task left unaddressed. Most particularly, the role of the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission is entirely absent. More clarity that this is simply a plank or a starting point or a corrective to one particular strand of unhelpful assumptions, rather than the complete package would help people read the book more helpfully.
Those critiques aside I still highly commend this book as an important resource for potential missionaries, and for sending churches and Christians to read to understand some of the challenges their missionaries face.
Chapters 2, 3, and 9 are the standout chapters.
Rhodes serves us well in summarizing many of the unhelpful assumptions and practices promoted by movement methodologies--and he brings the receipts. He has done hard work of quoting these brothers to demonstrate from their own words what they believe. And he has worked hard to keep separate what the written proponents of these methodologies have said from some of the consequences or mis-applications of their teaching in the field. He's done the difficult work of treating these men as fellow Christians with good intentions, and holding their teaching to the light of Scripture.
He also provides helpful pushback against an 'overly spiritualized' view of ministry which is not necessarily promoted by movement guys, but seems to be in the zeitgeist of much of evangelicalism.
Combined, he argues for the need of disciplined study and cultivated wisdom in order to faithfully carry out the task. Towards the end of the book, there are some assertions that on their own could be taken to be dismissing risk or subjective feelings altogether. But read in context, Rhodes is working to correct a thoroughly unhelpful trend that presumes that the Spirit cannot work in the minds of those he inhabits.
A couple things do weaken the book over all. One is his commitment to the term 'professional' as summarizing discipline and a pursuit of excellence is confusing, in that it can lend itself to treating his emphasis on language and cultural acquisition as an alternative methodology that guarantees results if done properly (something Rhodes is *definitely not* arguing. I think there are better terms to convey a commitment to that work with less accompanying baggage. Second, his chapter on missionaries as ambassadors is confusing. It left me unclear as to whether all Christians are ambassadors in any sense, and in what sense missionaries are ambassadors. Third, the subtitle calling this a 'manifesto' is unhelpful. This book really only lays one plank for the work: pursue the long road of faithfulness, not get-spiritually-rich-quick schemes. There are many other important aspects of the mission task left unaddressed. Most particularly, the role of the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission is entirely absent. More clarity that this is simply a plank or a starting point or a corrective to one particular strand of unhelpful assumptions, rather than the complete package would help people read the book more helpfully.
Those critiques aside I still highly commend this book as an important resource for potential missionaries, and for sending churches and Christians to read to understand some of the challenges their missionaries face.
October 31, 2022
Matt Rhodes' book No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions provides an important--even necessary--corrective to widespread yet deeply flawed contemporary missiological practices.
Rhodes argues that the most popular missionary methods today tend to encourage problematic and even dangerous shortcuts to disciple making and church planting. In particular, Rhodes critiques "movement" methodologies such as Church Planting Movements (CPM), Disciple Making Movements (DMM), and Training for Trainers (T4T). Each of these trends are rooted in popular missiology books that tell inspiring stories about tens of thousands of people coming to faith and thousands of churches planted (sometimes more!). Rhodes, however, finds many disturbing problems with these books, their statistics, and their instructions for missionaries.
In part 1 of the book, Rhodes surveys the problem, noting several commonalities to movement methodologies such as an overemphasis on speed, "silver bullet" strategies, and skepticism of intellectual preparedness for the task. The books and trainings promoting these strategies place much emphasis on numerical results. Rhodes rightly explains though that Scriptural principles must take precedence over the promise of numbers. He also argues that the numbers put forward may actually be incorrect or misinterpreted. The devastating result of movement missiology has often been a devaluing on the importance of teaching, a flawed understanding of conversion, and "churches" in danger of division, false teaching, and heresy.
In part 2, Rhodes offers a "course correction" rooted in missionaries seeing themselves as "Christ's ambassadors" who are devoted to the professional responsibility of communicating the gospel and teaching clearly, with both credibility and boldness. The primary way missionaries will accomplish this professionalism is by putting in the hard work of language and culture acquisition. Indeed, Rhodes spends many pages drilling down on the importance of taking language learning seriously, even offering tips on how to do this well. He urges missionaries to see their task as challenging work that will take years, even decades perhaps. In the final few chapters, Rhodes lays out a long-term path for missionaries to faithfully fulfill their goals. He also offers correction to many popular practices that initially sound pietistic and "feel" right, but that ultimately get in the way of a professional approach to missions. For example, Rhodes argues that missionaries often get sent overseas simply because they "feel called to go." This approach fails to consider the giftedness of the individual and the importance of wisdom in assessing.
Perhaps the main theme running through the book, as the title suggests, is the idea that there really are no shortcuts in cross-cultural evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Instead, God is pleased to use ordinary, human means to accomplish his work, typically working through our normal efforts over years and years. Those means include: language learning, Biblical and theological knowledge, culture and worldview acquisition, and even average, simple prayers.
I think Rhodes' book is a must read for pastors, missionaries, missiologists, and prospective missionaries. The problem of movement methodologies is significant, and it has wrought many problems overseas. In my opinion, Rhodes is at his best when he is clearly explaining and critiquing CPMs, DMMs, and T4T. He uses movement proponents' own words to explain their positions and charitably tries to give the authors the best possible motives in their claims and instructions. Yet, Rhodes does not hold back in the very real danger and problems inherent in these approaches. I'm convinced by both my own reading of movement adherents and firsthand experience overseas that Rhodes' evaluation is correct and necessary. May many people read this book, and may we finally move on from these movements!
I also appreciate Rhodes' emphasis that God usually works through normal means to accomplish his purposes. In this, Rhodes is profoundly biblical, which he does a great job of demonstrating. His strong pushback on "extraordinary prayers," the role of fasting, a sense of calling and other common practices is welcome in an age where we often participate in certain activities just because it "feels" spiritual to do so or "feels" unspiritual to criticize pietism. As a pastor, I can easily apply this part of the book across a wide range of issues that might come up with those I am discipling.
Finally, while I have heard some critiques of Rhodes' explanation of missionaries as professionals, I personally find it quite helpful, especially as one who pastors many missionaries. I think Rhodes is usually right to expect missionaries to put the years of time and effort into language acquisition (and biblical knowledge!), assuming such work is not used as an excuse to ignore the church. I am happy to hand this book to the missionaries in my church so that they may see it's okay if their job right now is simply language learning.
At the same time, I do think there are crucial portions where Rhodes' argument gets away from him. A couple of these problems are especially surprising given that 9Marks has chosen to participate in the publication and distribution of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. First, in chapter 4, Rhodes argues that missionaries should see themselves as Christ's "ambassadors," quoting 2 Corinthians 5:20. Much of Rhodes' encouragements for missionaries to professionalize their work stems from his argument that they are "Christ's ambassadors.” I have no problem with this. However, Rhodes tries to use this title and 2 Corinthians 5:20 to define what a missionary is. In so doing, he does something strange with the text. He argues that "Paul doesn't say that all Christians are 'ambassadors for Christ.' Instead, Paul uses the term 'ambassadors for Christ' to describe himself and his team of missionaries" (112). While I get how Rhodes makes this argument, I'm not sure this distinction flows clearly from the text. Moreover, I question whether this is a helpful way to define what a missionary is and articulate their task. I assume Rhodes is trying to push back against the idea that all Christians are missionaries, and I am sympathetic to him on that. But I don't think his interpretation of 2 Corinthians 5:20 is the way to do it. Moreover, the problems in this chapter highlights the much bigger issue of defining what a missionary is, and Rhodes' own definition leaves something to be desired. Rhodes indicates that Paul and his contemporaries were missionaries, but I actually think this characterization undermines his argument in the rest of the book regarding the necessity of language learning for the missionary.
This leads to my second issue with Rhodes' book. Most of the book could be described as a manifesto defending language learning for missionaries. I am extremely supportive of language learning for most missionaries. Where a missionary is ministering to people who speak a different language such that communication is impossible, learning the language is a must (though contrary to Rhodes [149], I think there are ways to faithfully share the gospel while you are learning that language). However, Rhodes’ zeal for language learning causes him to go further by arguing that missionaries must learn the "heart language" of the people. In a few places in the book, particularly chapter 6, Rhodes discourages ministering in the trade language. In my opinion, however, there are several significant problems with this position. I'll limit myself to a biblical one: the apostle Paul and his missionary companions, "ambassador's for Christ," minister completely in the trade language of the day. Indeed, there is no example in the New Testament of someone learning a language in order to share the gospel. To avoid confusion I'll state again: I think language learning–even years of it–is normally a must for most missionaries. I'm not at all saying that the New Testament indicates that we *should* minister in the trade language. I am simply pointing out ministering in the trade language is the descriptive situation of the New Testament apostles. Rhodes acknowledges this reality in a different chapter of the book: "Paul spoke fluent Greek, but not the mother tongues of many of the congregations with whom he worked" (186). However, this sentence is written in the context of boldly speaking into cultural issues even though one may feel like an outsider, and so Rhodes never connects the dots in the way I am doing in this review. The problem for Rhodes, then, is this: his New Testament model for the ideal missionary not only *effectively* ministered in the trade language, he never learned a different language to do his job well. To be sure, ministering in a known trade language is impossible in many ministry contexts in the world–and where that is the case language learning must be done (and done well!). But, where a trade language can be used, and there are many options given globalization, I believe that such a ministry may fully conform to faithful New Testament ministry.
I have other minor quibbles here and there. I agree with some of his cautions regarding working with national believers, but my own situation has been far more encouraging than some of the problematic situations Rhodes describes (198-199). Some may note a muted ecclesiology in the book, but I don't read too much into this. I saw enough of a healthy ecclesiology to be satisfied, even though I do think the emphasis is a bit different than typical 9Marks books.
Despite these issues, which I think are significant, I truly believe this book is a necessary corrective to the disturbing practices of movement methodologies. I pastor an English-speaking church in a country in which English is not the majority language, which gives insights into some of my critiques above. At the same time, because of this ministry context, I also see Rhodes' book as an urgent corrective that needs to be widely read. I will joyfully hand this book to missionaries in my church as both a means of protecting them from bad methodologies and as an encouragement for how they can and should use their time. I am very grateful for Matt Rhodes' work!
Rhodes argues that the most popular missionary methods today tend to encourage problematic and even dangerous shortcuts to disciple making and church planting. In particular, Rhodes critiques "movement" methodologies such as Church Planting Movements (CPM), Disciple Making Movements (DMM), and Training for Trainers (T4T). Each of these trends are rooted in popular missiology books that tell inspiring stories about tens of thousands of people coming to faith and thousands of churches planted (sometimes more!). Rhodes, however, finds many disturbing problems with these books, their statistics, and their instructions for missionaries.
In part 1 of the book, Rhodes surveys the problem, noting several commonalities to movement methodologies such as an overemphasis on speed, "silver bullet" strategies, and skepticism of intellectual preparedness for the task. The books and trainings promoting these strategies place much emphasis on numerical results. Rhodes rightly explains though that Scriptural principles must take precedence over the promise of numbers. He also argues that the numbers put forward may actually be incorrect or misinterpreted. The devastating result of movement missiology has often been a devaluing on the importance of teaching, a flawed understanding of conversion, and "churches" in danger of division, false teaching, and heresy.
In part 2, Rhodes offers a "course correction" rooted in missionaries seeing themselves as "Christ's ambassadors" who are devoted to the professional responsibility of communicating the gospel and teaching clearly, with both credibility and boldness. The primary way missionaries will accomplish this professionalism is by putting in the hard work of language and culture acquisition. Indeed, Rhodes spends many pages drilling down on the importance of taking language learning seriously, even offering tips on how to do this well. He urges missionaries to see their task as challenging work that will take years, even decades perhaps. In the final few chapters, Rhodes lays out a long-term path for missionaries to faithfully fulfill their goals. He also offers correction to many popular practices that initially sound pietistic and "feel" right, but that ultimately get in the way of a professional approach to missions. For example, Rhodes argues that missionaries often get sent overseas simply because they "feel called to go." This approach fails to consider the giftedness of the individual and the importance of wisdom in assessing.
Perhaps the main theme running through the book, as the title suggests, is the idea that there really are no shortcuts in cross-cultural evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Instead, God is pleased to use ordinary, human means to accomplish his work, typically working through our normal efforts over years and years. Those means include: language learning, Biblical and theological knowledge, culture and worldview acquisition, and even average, simple prayers.
I think Rhodes' book is a must read for pastors, missionaries, missiologists, and prospective missionaries. The problem of movement methodologies is significant, and it has wrought many problems overseas. In my opinion, Rhodes is at his best when he is clearly explaining and critiquing CPMs, DMMs, and T4T. He uses movement proponents' own words to explain their positions and charitably tries to give the authors the best possible motives in their claims and instructions. Yet, Rhodes does not hold back in the very real danger and problems inherent in these approaches. I'm convinced by both my own reading of movement adherents and firsthand experience overseas that Rhodes' evaluation is correct and necessary. May many people read this book, and may we finally move on from these movements!
I also appreciate Rhodes' emphasis that God usually works through normal means to accomplish his purposes. In this, Rhodes is profoundly biblical, which he does a great job of demonstrating. His strong pushback on "extraordinary prayers," the role of fasting, a sense of calling and other common practices is welcome in an age where we often participate in certain activities just because it "feels" spiritual to do so or "feels" unspiritual to criticize pietism. As a pastor, I can easily apply this part of the book across a wide range of issues that might come up with those I am discipling.
Finally, while I have heard some critiques of Rhodes' explanation of missionaries as professionals, I personally find it quite helpful, especially as one who pastors many missionaries. I think Rhodes is usually right to expect missionaries to put the years of time and effort into language acquisition (and biblical knowledge!), assuming such work is not used as an excuse to ignore the church. I am happy to hand this book to the missionaries in my church so that they may see it's okay if their job right now is simply language learning.
At the same time, I do think there are crucial portions where Rhodes' argument gets away from him. A couple of these problems are especially surprising given that 9Marks has chosen to participate in the publication and distribution of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. First, in chapter 4, Rhodes argues that missionaries should see themselves as Christ's "ambassadors," quoting 2 Corinthians 5:20. Much of Rhodes' encouragements for missionaries to professionalize their work stems from his argument that they are "Christ's ambassadors.” I have no problem with this. However, Rhodes tries to use this title and 2 Corinthians 5:20 to define what a missionary is. In so doing, he does something strange with the text. He argues that "Paul doesn't say that all Christians are 'ambassadors for Christ.' Instead, Paul uses the term 'ambassadors for Christ' to describe himself and his team of missionaries" (112). While I get how Rhodes makes this argument, I'm not sure this distinction flows clearly from the text. Moreover, I question whether this is a helpful way to define what a missionary is and articulate their task. I assume Rhodes is trying to push back against the idea that all Christians are missionaries, and I am sympathetic to him on that. But I don't think his interpretation of 2 Corinthians 5:20 is the way to do it. Moreover, the problems in this chapter highlights the much bigger issue of defining what a missionary is, and Rhodes' own definition leaves something to be desired. Rhodes indicates that Paul and his contemporaries were missionaries, but I actually think this characterization undermines his argument in the rest of the book regarding the necessity of language learning for the missionary.
This leads to my second issue with Rhodes' book. Most of the book could be described as a manifesto defending language learning for missionaries. I am extremely supportive of language learning for most missionaries. Where a missionary is ministering to people who speak a different language such that communication is impossible, learning the language is a must (though contrary to Rhodes [149], I think there are ways to faithfully share the gospel while you are learning that language). However, Rhodes’ zeal for language learning causes him to go further by arguing that missionaries must learn the "heart language" of the people. In a few places in the book, particularly chapter 6, Rhodes discourages ministering in the trade language. In my opinion, however, there are several significant problems with this position. I'll limit myself to a biblical one: the apostle Paul and his missionary companions, "ambassador's for Christ," minister completely in the trade language of the day. Indeed, there is no example in the New Testament of someone learning a language in order to share the gospel. To avoid confusion I'll state again: I think language learning–even years of it–is normally a must for most missionaries. I'm not at all saying that the New Testament indicates that we *should* minister in the trade language. I am simply pointing out ministering in the trade language is the descriptive situation of the New Testament apostles. Rhodes acknowledges this reality in a different chapter of the book: "Paul spoke fluent Greek, but not the mother tongues of many of the congregations with whom he worked" (186). However, this sentence is written in the context of boldly speaking into cultural issues even though one may feel like an outsider, and so Rhodes never connects the dots in the way I am doing in this review. The problem for Rhodes, then, is this: his New Testament model for the ideal missionary not only *effectively* ministered in the trade language, he never learned a different language to do his job well. To be sure, ministering in a known trade language is impossible in many ministry contexts in the world–and where that is the case language learning must be done (and done well!). But, where a trade language can be used, and there are many options given globalization, I believe that such a ministry may fully conform to faithful New Testament ministry.
I have other minor quibbles here and there. I agree with some of his cautions regarding working with national believers, but my own situation has been far more encouraging than some of the problematic situations Rhodes describes (198-199). Some may note a muted ecclesiology in the book, but I don't read too much into this. I saw enough of a healthy ecclesiology to be satisfied, even though I do think the emphasis is a bit different than typical 9Marks books.
Despite these issues, which I think are significant, I truly believe this book is a necessary corrective to the disturbing practices of movement methodologies. I pastor an English-speaking church in a country in which English is not the majority language, which gives insights into some of my critiques above. At the same time, because of this ministry context, I also see Rhodes' book as an urgent corrective that needs to be widely read. I will joyfully hand this book to missionaries in my church as both a means of protecting them from bad methodologies and as an encouragement for how they can and should use their time. I am very grateful for Matt Rhodes' work!
May 6, 2023
The author makes some great points and provides a starting place for discussions, but the whole book is written with a very defensive tone that's hard to get past, and the author relies heavily on straw man arguments as well as taking positions that allow for no nuance. That's why this book can provide a starting place for methodology and missiological discussion, but discussions should seek middle road and nuance, not extremes. I think what I found lacking was an exploration of how to seek "the Gospel in every ear ASAP" AND "deep long-term discipleship that's rooted in Scripture, abiding in Christ, and nurturing churches to health." I think it's a false dichotomy to say seek the deep, not the wide.
Editing to add a link to this book review which does a good job of pointing out some of the weaknesses of the book and problems in how Rhodes misrepresents people.
https://serials.atla.com/gcbjm/articl...
Editing to add a link to this book review which does a good job of pointing out some of the weaknesses of the book and problems in how Rhodes misrepresents people.
https://serials.atla.com/gcbjm/articl...
April 10, 2023
When a pastor friend first began commending Disciple-Making Movements and Church-Planting Movements to me, I didn't know how to respond. Westerners have a hard time arguing with astounding numbers and compelling anecdotes.
This book helps guide the conversation by first pointing out some of the pitfalls of "shortcut" oriented movements and then presenting a more excellent way, a way that uses appropriate means to pursue Great Commission work. These means include proper training, language learning, and professional development as a missionary.
I especially appreciated Matt Rhodes's final chapter on "Work and the Holy Spirit." He seeks to clear up some common misunderstandings on the nature of prayer, fasting, and learning the will of God.
"Prayer is most certainly extraordinary, but not at all because we pray in extraordinary ways. Prayer is extraordinary because God answers us so generously when he need not answer us at all" (238).
This book helps guide the conversation by first pointing out some of the pitfalls of "shortcut" oriented movements and then presenting a more excellent way, a way that uses appropriate means to pursue Great Commission work. These means include proper training, language learning, and professional development as a missionary.
I especially appreciated Matt Rhodes's final chapter on "Work and the Holy Spirit." He seeks to clear up some common misunderstandings on the nature of prayer, fasting, and learning the will of God.
"Prayer is most certainly extraordinary, but not at all because we pray in extraordinary ways. Prayer is extraordinary because God answers us so generously when he need not answer us at all" (238).
March 12, 2022
Is this the first 9Marks book that argues for more, not less, pragmatism? Either way, it's easily one of the most important books in their series. Another subtitle for the book could be, "Missionary Brothers, We Should Not Be Amateurs."
Rhodes argues persuasively that the old well-trodden path of "traditional" missionaries, involving years of working on language acquisition and years of theological training, is the remedy that modern missions strategy woefully lack. Any plan short of that is "an irresponsible and unprofessional approach to missions." The Holy Spirit uses human means, like language study and communication, to accomplish his work.
Rhodes argues persuasively that the old well-trodden path of "traditional" missionaries, involving years of working on language acquisition and years of theological training, is the remedy that modern missions strategy woefully lack. Any plan short of that is "an irresponsible and unprofessional approach to missions." The Holy Spirit uses human means, like language study and communication, to accomplish his work.
March 31, 2024
Matt Rhodes is too right: There is no shortcut to success! This was such a great reminder of being patient and journeying the (sometimes very) long road of missions!
Key quotes:
"In the intense pressure they feel to complete the Great Commission, missionaries often bypass the slow, unflashy work of acquiring professional skills like theological education or language"
"Let's not forget that William Carey is best known in Kolkata today for promoting literacy among Bengalis, and that Hudson Taylor himself was a doctor! Compassion is an indispensable part of the Christian life."
"We should steer people to serve God in ways that use their gifts for at least two reasons: because people doing ministry matter, and because the people they are ministering to matter"
"Faithful and fruitful missionaries don't need a spectacular or eye-catching ministry. As Cary wrote, "I can plod. I can persevere to any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." So let us also plod ahead, relying on the Lord."
Key quotes:
"In the intense pressure they feel to complete the Great Commission, missionaries often bypass the slow, unflashy work of acquiring professional skills like theological education or language"
"Let's not forget that William Carey is best known in Kolkata today for promoting literacy among Bengalis, and that Hudson Taylor himself was a doctor! Compassion is an indispensable part of the Christian life."
"We should steer people to serve God in ways that use their gifts for at least two reasons: because people doing ministry matter, and because the people they are ministering to matter"
"Faithful and fruitful missionaries don't need a spectacular or eye-catching ministry. As Cary wrote, "I can plod. I can persevere to any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." So let us also plod ahead, relying on the Lord."
April 3, 2025
A challenging and necessary book. In challenging recently popularized missions methodologies, Rhodes wisely goes back to the primary texts of these movements that are often glossed over. Contary to what some critics have suggested, I don’t think Rhodes was claiming that ALL practitioners of these methodologies follow the primary sources like a textbook. I think the challenge was in the fact that if there is so little biblical evidence for movement methodology and, in some cases, downright shady “data,” why has the church embraced it at all?
The alternative roadmap Rhodes lays out is laden with scripture and refreshingly logical. No doubt this is a must read for aspiring missionaries and pastors, but I think any believer would benefit from Rhodes’ wisdom.
The alternative roadmap Rhodes lays out is laden with scripture and refreshingly logical. No doubt this is a must read for aspiring missionaries and pastors, but I think any believer would benefit from Rhodes’ wisdom.
July 5, 2022
Speaks more clearly into current debates in missions methodology than any other resource I know!
August 12, 2025
Audio - listen, I went into this book with a really open mind. In fact, I wanted to be deeply challenged in my views. In some ways, I was, specifically on the great and important task of language fluency and being able to communicate complex and important gospel truths, and being able to defend my faith and challenge the world views of others around me. This was already a North Star for me, but this made it more concrete and firmed. Secondly, his views on being professional- seeking professionals skills and seeing this “job” as a real, life, professional job. We need to be serious about what we do, and not take what we do lightly…with that, there needs to be deep biblical knowledge and again, knowing how to communicate those truths. I appreciate that sentiment, and I do want to pursue those things more intentionally.
However, just how the other side does it, he throws the baby out with the bath water in regards to DMM & Mov’ts. Of course, there are some intrinsic biblical truths you need to reconcile within the TRADITIONAL mov’t thinking, but again, mov’ts are a strategy - not a biblical foundation. He also comments on key dmm leaders being so numbers focused. Brother, the other side has the same issue…. Overall, I understand his heart. I really do, and honestly, he seems like a super amazing guy and I’d love to learn from him. I appreciate the challenges to my thinking, and I always want to grow in being challenged and to hear from the other side. However, having a dualistic approach and mindset to this kind of work is actually insane to me - this work is so nuanced. You can’t be dogmatic or black and white about everything - your views need to have nuance and realize they won’t play out how we want them to…
I started out with 4 stars, and then went to 3.5, and the last two chapters on prayer & Holy Spirit,and equipping and sending really disappointed me. Honestly I’d completely remove those chapters completely and give it a 4. Again, homies a real one and would definitely love to read more of his work in the future and talk to him.
However, just how the other side does it, he throws the baby out with the bath water in regards to DMM & Mov’ts. Of course, there are some intrinsic biblical truths you need to reconcile within the TRADITIONAL mov’t thinking, but again, mov’ts are a strategy - not a biblical foundation. He also comments on key dmm leaders being so numbers focused. Brother, the other side has the same issue…. Overall, I understand his heart. I really do, and honestly, he seems like a super amazing guy and I’d love to learn from him. I appreciate the challenges to my thinking, and I always want to grow in being challenged and to hear from the other side. However, having a dualistic approach and mindset to this kind of work is actually insane to me - this work is so nuanced. You can’t be dogmatic or black and white about everything - your views need to have nuance and realize they won’t play out how we want them to…
I started out with 4 stars, and then went to 3.5, and the last two chapters on prayer & Holy Spirit,and equipping and sending really disappointed me. Honestly I’d completely remove those chapters completely and give it a 4. Again, homies a real one and would definitely love to read more of his work in the future and talk to him.
May 28, 2024
Love this book. I have heard and read several ideas and philosophies for how to conduct missions in the modern world. I would say that this book offers one of the most robust and needful critiques for the church to grapple with. Particularly against the church planting movement and the disciple maker movement. In short, this a critique and an offered solution for modern missions in light of all the “get rich quick” strategies.
Additionally it questions the numbers reported, the health and longevity of planted churches, and the legitimacy of professions of faith being claimed by on the field workers.
I love the offered solution Rhodes gives. Make sure the prospective overseas workers are fit, gifted, and trained for the ministry before departure. Make language learning the primary work for a substantial amount of time (multiple years at least). Be competent in the language/culture sufficiently to present the gospel in a meaningful and relevant way that speaks to their current worldview. And ultimately, work hard in all of this effort knowing that the HS is not opposed to hard work.
This is a book I wish I had 5 years ago. Nevertheless, I’m grateful to say I served (and now support) a team of people who earnestly give themselves to the hard work of language learning for the purpose of communicating the good news clearly and boldy. May all who are working hard in this way not lose heart but strengthen their resolve knowing that they will reap at the proper time if they do not give up.
Additionally it questions the numbers reported, the health and longevity of planted churches, and the legitimacy of professions of faith being claimed by on the field workers.
I love the offered solution Rhodes gives. Make sure the prospective overseas workers are fit, gifted, and trained for the ministry before departure. Make language learning the primary work for a substantial amount of time (multiple years at least). Be competent in the language/culture sufficiently to present the gospel in a meaningful and relevant way that speaks to their current worldview. And ultimately, work hard in all of this effort knowing that the HS is not opposed to hard work.
This is a book I wish I had 5 years ago. Nevertheless, I’m grateful to say I served (and now support) a team of people who earnestly give themselves to the hard work of language learning for the purpose of communicating the good news clearly and boldy. May all who are working hard in this way not lose heart but strengthen their resolve knowing that they will reap at the proper time if they do not give up.
August 6, 2025
Makes a solid case for long-term faithfulness and deep preparation in missions, especially pushing back against some of the speed and short term methods in popular missiology books today. One of the most valuable parts was the systematic debunking of the insane church and believer numbers that get thrown around by organizations and books. Also highly emphasizes the importance of language learning and cultural immersion, which, in my experience, organizations don't enforce. The deep/slow vs fast/wide will always be a debate in mission strategy, and this contributes to that discussion. small side note, it does hold up Hudson Taylor as an example of success coming from language-learning, but like most books that note his example it glosses over the fact that part of his success resulted from sending his children to live in another country. The book’s argument is strong and pretty well-reasoned, but I still closed it feeling pretty much like a failure. Are there seriously people out there doing language study 8-10 hours a day for extended periods or is this one of those slight exaggerations for the books? Who knows. Anyway, read alongside the Movement methodology books and remember that the Holy Spirit is just as much present in the long days of studying grammar as he is in the miraculous chance encounters of stmt.
October 17, 2025
This was a good read!!! As a person truly not aware of the past and present missions landscape, this book was very eyeopening! I was challenged, convicted, and encouraged! This book held onto God’s sovereignty while challenging His church to hold fast to Christ and to “expect great things from God; attempt great things for God!”
Some highlights:
“Indeed, part of finding satisfaction in Jesus is accepting the limitations he places on us”
“ Like soldiers in a war effort, we serve a cause greater than ourselves, and we must be willing to lay down our personal preferences and goals in order to serve the larger call of Christ”
“ Obedience happens when people are deeply convinced that God will be with them in their obedience, and that Jesus‘s way is fundamentally good for them”
“ God may have worked through their methods at times, and he may have worked despite their methods at other times”
“Far too many of our books, articles, trainings, and conversation conversations seem to operate at the level of what works rather than what is most faithful to scripture”
Some highlights:
“Indeed, part of finding satisfaction in Jesus is accepting the limitations he places on us”
“ Like soldiers in a war effort, we serve a cause greater than ourselves, and we must be willing to lay down our personal preferences and goals in order to serve the larger call of Christ”
“ Obedience happens when people are deeply convinced that God will be with them in their obedience, and that Jesus‘s way is fundamentally good for them”
“ God may have worked through their methods at times, and he may have worked despite their methods at other times”
“Far too many of our books, articles, trainings, and conversation conversations seem to operate at the level of what works rather than what is most faithful to scripture”
August 19, 2023
Likely well-intended, the first few chapters are based on a misunderstanding or misreading of current movement methodologies. Several quotes are taken out of context or just plain misunderstood. It seems the author has only met a certain type of missionary practitioner of these methods, and would do well to actually sit down and talk to any of the people he quotes, most of whom would agree with most of the suggestions he makes in the second part of the book, which is quite good.
The second part, in which the author argues for greater commitment & intentionality on the part of modern missionaries, is often spot-on. The shortcoming of the book is the failure to actually understand movement methodologies before attacking them, or rather, a caricature of them. Again, it seems the author had a bad experience with a few missionaries who misread or misapplied basic assumptions about how movements work, & used that faulty understanding as a means to avoid the hard work of cross-cultural ministry. What the author attacks is not representative of all movement practitioners, & again, 90% of movement practitioners that I know would agree with most of the author’s recommendations in the second part of the book. The failure is in the false connection between the straw man the author sets up in the first part and his recommendations in the second.
I will be the first to point out the blind spots and failings of many movement practitioners, but the picture the author paints here is light years away from accurate, and that (intentional?) misrepresentation unfortunately undercuts many of the good points made in the second part of the book...!
The second part, in which the author argues for greater commitment & intentionality on the part of modern missionaries, is often spot-on. The shortcoming of the book is the failure to actually understand movement methodologies before attacking them, or rather, a caricature of them. Again, it seems the author had a bad experience with a few missionaries who misread or misapplied basic assumptions about how movements work, & used that faulty understanding as a means to avoid the hard work of cross-cultural ministry. What the author attacks is not representative of all movement practitioners, & again, 90% of movement practitioners that I know would agree with most of the author’s recommendations in the second part of the book. The failure is in the false connection between the straw man the author sets up in the first part and his recommendations in the second.
I will be the first to point out the blind spots and failings of many movement practitioners, but the picture the author paints here is light years away from accurate, and that (intentional?) misrepresentation unfortunately undercuts many of the good points made in the second part of the book...!
February 19, 2022
This book is excellent. The author humbly argues against common rapid multiplication methods while showing us the joy in being faithful in the ordinary means of how God typically works. Language learning, cultural acquisition, and years of service just cannot be replaced by “get rich fast” methods, or not even living amongst the people. Every overseas worker should read this!
December 17, 2025
Sobering must read for anyone considering career missions. The basis for all the author's arguments are rooted in the truth that "Our work doesn't crowd out the Holy Spirit. It offers space for Him to move." See Phil 2:12-13, Col 1:29, ext.... Our effort and God's work in and through us are not opposed to one another but are one in the same. This book was especially helpful to me in addressing misconceptions of prayer and teaching. I think Rhodes is right when he calls some of these misconceptions Semi-Gnostic. The idea that the human teaching of scripture is in opposition to the Holy Spirit teaching scripture is nowhere to be found in the bible. This is my biggest hang-up with Movement Missions (see: "We have to avoid falling into the role of explaining Scripture. When we put ourselves between the Word of God and His people we usurp God's role." - Trousdale, MM.) I don't see how you can reconcile this with the NT (Eph 4:11). The Spirit works through ordinary human means like teaching and preaching the bible. This is not "western", it's biblical. The office of pastor/elder/overseer has no place in DMM. But, according to the NT the office clearly plays a role in God's plan to build His church.
The emphasis on the importance of language learning is especially sobering and helpful to those considering missions. The idea that God works through mundane tasks like reading, study, practice, and other means is clear throughout scripture but an important reminder. In conversations with others I often see a hesitation behind the idea of seminary as "preparation" for ministry. I understand the concerns and that over preparation can be sinful and self-reliant. However, the functional theology of many people is that preparation somehow grieves or lessens the role of The Spirit. This completely overlooks the idea that the Spirit works in and through our preparation and human effort.
Since it's Christmas time the passage that comes to mind is Luke 2:41-52. When Jesus quoted scripture to defend against Satan's schemes in the wilderness 2 chapters later it wasn't by his divine omniscience. Jesus memorized scripture, he studied the Torah, he sat in the temple courts among the teachers, listened to them and asked them questions. God worked through Jesus' humanity and so how much more so does he work through our humanity today as well (John 20:21). This is a miracle.
The emphasis on the importance of language learning is especially sobering and helpful to those considering missions. The idea that God works through mundane tasks like reading, study, practice, and other means is clear throughout scripture but an important reminder. In conversations with others I often see a hesitation behind the idea of seminary as "preparation" for ministry. I understand the concerns and that over preparation can be sinful and self-reliant. However, the functional theology of many people is that preparation somehow grieves or lessens the role of The Spirit. This completely overlooks the idea that the Spirit works in and through our preparation and human effort.
Since it's Christmas time the passage that comes to mind is Luke 2:41-52. When Jesus quoted scripture to defend against Satan's schemes in the wilderness 2 chapters later it wasn't by his divine omniscience. Jesus memorized scripture, he studied the Torah, he sat in the temple courts among the teachers, listened to them and asked them questions. God worked through Jesus' humanity and so how much more so does he work through our humanity today as well (John 20:21). This is a miracle.
June 9, 2024
This book serves as a compelling critique of leadership within movement methodologies, advocating for a strategic, proactive approach to global work. It underscores the notion that while God often employs ordinary means for converting unbelievers, there are also extraordinary interventions that defy expectation. Yet, the book cautions against attempting to dissect and replicate such extraordinary occurrences, a central theme woven throughout its pages.
In discussing the preparation and calling of individuals for global work, the book delves into the challenges and rewards of language acquisition and cultural immersion. However, its efficacy is somewhat compromised by the final chapter that, while aiming to counterbalance the tendency to over-spiritualize fieldwork, veers too far in the opposite direction. Here, the author minimizes the importance of prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare, neglecting a balanced approach. The passages used in this chapter are open to interpretation and may benefit from a more nuanced perspective. Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering overseas global work.
In discussing the preparation and calling of individuals for global work, the book delves into the challenges and rewards of language acquisition and cultural immersion. However, its efficacy is somewhat compromised by the final chapter that, while aiming to counterbalance the tendency to over-spiritualize fieldwork, veers too far in the opposite direction. Here, the author minimizes the importance of prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare, neglecting a balanced approach. The passages used in this chapter are open to interpretation and may benefit from a more nuanced perspective. Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering overseas global work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
I hope this becomes a modern-day classic. Rhodes emphasizes professionalism in missions that does not violate Piper's plea that pastors are not professionals. He instead pleads for rigor and commitment in training to become a missionary who will last, serve God clearly, and love lost people effectively. READ THIS!
October 18, 2022
An important book as we evaluate 20 and 21 century missions and the future of reaching the unreached. Rhodes provides a helpful biblical critique of CPM and T4T and paves a new road with ancient traditions rooted in deep discipleship.
July 1, 2024
This book is SO well done. Ignore the fact that it took me a year to read, the writing and content was fascinating and an absolute must-read for those involved or interested in missions work. So many times while I read it I was blown away and impressed by Matt’s articulate and bold claims addressing how missions is done today and how the Bible speaks to a better way of doing things: wisely and professionally.
December 8, 2022
A Glimpse Into What Is Require to Serve as A Missionary
Matt gives the reader a glimpse into the reality of missions work. He rebuts the glamorous and heroic calling of giving your life away for the gospel without first being gifted and commissioned. He paints the reality that to properly minister and leave a lasting healthy gospel effect one needs to be a professional who is committed to language and culture acquisition.
If you have consider mission, read this. If you have committed to the mission field, read this. This book is a necessary read for anyone pursuing missions.
Matt gives the reader a glimpse into the reality of missions work. He rebuts the glamorous and heroic calling of giving your life away for the gospel without first being gifted and commissioned. He paints the reality that to properly minister and leave a lasting healthy gospel effect one needs to be a professional who is committed to language and culture acquisition.
If you have consider mission, read this. If you have committed to the mission field, read this. This book is a necessary read for anyone pursuing missions.
May 8, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher. Reviews are later to come (once the book’s published), both academic and popular.
For now, I’ll just say this has been one of the best and most balanced critiques I’ve seen of movement methodology in missions (making the first three chapters the best by far). The author also offers a corrective (which makes up the bulk of the book) and shows why missionaries must be committed to plodding faithfully for years in order to see reliable fruit (over and against rapidity-focused methods that often lead to less reliable fruit). For those familiar with these ongoing conversations, there’s also much here about the professionalization vs. amateurization of missions (as seen in Hesselgrave’s Paradigms in Conflict).
Of course, as with almost any book, there are places Rhodes and I differ (and in other areas, I think there are some significant shortcomings), but he does challenge my opposing positions with grace and nuance. I’ll say more about that in later reviews. (Edit: see my review in the Themelios journal here - click here).
Still, this book has my whole-hearted recommendation. I’m not optimistic that it will shift those who already hold to movement thinking, but it will at least make them address the weaknesses pointed out. It might be best suited for those looking to become missionaries and especially pastors, who help train and send missionaries, to become more familiar with these concepts. To read those other positions opposite Rhodes’ (which is always helpful for nuance), the primary works are footnoted throughout. I’ll say here that the most important works to be familiar with are those by David Garrison.
All in all, add this one to your reading lists.
For now, I’ll just say this has been one of the best and most balanced critiques I’ve seen of movement methodology in missions (making the first three chapters the best by far). The author also offers a corrective (which makes up the bulk of the book) and shows why missionaries must be committed to plodding faithfully for years in order to see reliable fruit (over and against rapidity-focused methods that often lead to less reliable fruit). For those familiar with these ongoing conversations, there’s also much here about the professionalization vs. amateurization of missions (as seen in Hesselgrave’s Paradigms in Conflict).
Of course, as with almost any book, there are places Rhodes and I differ (and in other areas, I think there are some significant shortcomings), but he does challenge my opposing positions with grace and nuance. I’ll say more about that in later reviews. (Edit: see my review in the Themelios journal here - click here).
Still, this book has my whole-hearted recommendation. I’m not optimistic that it will shift those who already hold to movement thinking, but it will at least make them address the weaknesses pointed out. It might be best suited for those looking to become missionaries and especially pastors, who help train and send missionaries, to become more familiar with these concepts. To read those other positions opposite Rhodes’ (which is always helpful for nuance), the primary works are footnoted throughout. I’ll say here that the most important works to be familiar with are those by David Garrison.
All in all, add this one to your reading lists.
March 19, 2022
You should read this book. While the author focuses heavily on church planting, a lot of his argumentation applies to missions as a whole.
I enjoyed the reoccurring theme of seeing how an extraordinary God chooses to work through the limited and ordinary efforts of people. We can be quick to attribute fruit in ministry to our methods instead of acknowledging and surrendering the fruit to the work of the omnipotent God that chooses to work through our efforts.
This book heavily focuses on Church Planting Movements (CPM) and Disciple Making Movements (DMM). The author challenges the methodology of “high rates of multiplication at all costs” that is put forth by CPM and DMM as unprofessional and unwise. This methodology offers high numbers of “churches” and high numbers of new believers(?), but it’s at the cost of placing immature believers in leadership positions and discouraging missionaries to learn the language and culture because it can inhibit the growth of the multiplication.
Instead, Rhodes offers a less glamorous approach of missions. He challenges people considering the mission field to be “professional.” He makes a lot of comparisons of being Christ’s ambassadors to being the ambassador of a nation going to to a foreign nation, and the expectations of the ambassador to have proficient understanding of the foreign nation’s language and culture to be able to properly represent his own nation.
Alongside highlighting the importance time consuming language and culture acquisition at the cost of quick results, Rhodes writes on a number of topics like the importance of discipleship, proper signs of church maturity, how to properly equip and send missionaries, the overspiritualization of calling, and the purpose of short term mission trips, to name some.
Rhodes doesn’t argue for any crazy new methodology that we’ve never seen before. His argumentation is full of scripture, and he looks at the ministries of older missionaries like Hudson Taylor or Adoniram Judson to see what we as missionaries today can glean from their work.
If you are in the missions field or are directly supporting missions, you should read this book.
5/5
I enjoyed the reoccurring theme of seeing how an extraordinary God chooses to work through the limited and ordinary efforts of people. We can be quick to attribute fruit in ministry to our methods instead of acknowledging and surrendering the fruit to the work of the omnipotent God that chooses to work through our efforts.
This book heavily focuses on Church Planting Movements (CPM) and Disciple Making Movements (DMM). The author challenges the methodology of “high rates of multiplication at all costs” that is put forth by CPM and DMM as unprofessional and unwise. This methodology offers high numbers of “churches” and high numbers of new believers(?), but it’s at the cost of placing immature believers in leadership positions and discouraging missionaries to learn the language and culture because it can inhibit the growth of the multiplication.
Instead, Rhodes offers a less glamorous approach of missions. He challenges people considering the mission field to be “professional.” He makes a lot of comparisons of being Christ’s ambassadors to being the ambassador of a nation going to to a foreign nation, and the expectations of the ambassador to have proficient understanding of the foreign nation’s language and culture to be able to properly represent his own nation.
Alongside highlighting the importance time consuming language and culture acquisition at the cost of quick results, Rhodes writes on a number of topics like the importance of discipleship, proper signs of church maturity, how to properly equip and send missionaries, the overspiritualization of calling, and the purpose of short term mission trips, to name some.
Rhodes doesn’t argue for any crazy new methodology that we’ve never seen before. His argumentation is full of scripture, and he looks at the ministries of older missionaries like Hudson Taylor or Adoniram Judson to see what we as missionaries today can glean from their work.
If you are in the missions field or are directly supporting missions, you should read this book.
5/5
August 13, 2023
While this book has been controversial within the missiological community, I found it helpful. Rhodes evaluates CPM methodology highlighting some positive aspects along the way. Towards the end of the book, he provides a recommended path towards "professional" or biblically responsible missions. He also gives advice to those seeking to send others and considering going themselves. These portions of Rhode's work were some of of my favorite parts.
But most of the book is a forceful critique of the extremes of CPM methodology, and for that reason his work serves as a helpful guide and warning. The dangers of making speed and numbers the highest priority over biblical faithfulness or church health are clear. That being said, I believe many of those on the field who would fall within the CPM category practice a more nuanced view than what is portrayed in Rhodes' work. Thus, I would be considerate as to whom I recommended this book as I believe a general understanding of the broader context is helpful. With that in mind however, I believe Rhode’s warnings and exhortations are helpful for the church today. If the reader finds themselves at times agreeing and other times questioning, then I believe they are most likely on the right track towards a healthy tension in missions methodology.
But most of the book is a forceful critique of the extremes of CPM methodology, and for that reason his work serves as a helpful guide and warning. The dangers of making speed and numbers the highest priority over biblical faithfulness or church health are clear. That being said, I believe many of those on the field who would fall within the CPM category practice a more nuanced view than what is portrayed in Rhodes' work. Thus, I would be considerate as to whom I recommended this book as I believe a general understanding of the broader context is helpful. With that in mind however, I believe Rhode’s warnings and exhortations are helpful for the church today. If the reader finds themselves at times agreeing and other times questioning, then I believe they are most likely on the right track towards a healthy tension in missions methodology.
December 14, 2025
This book is a response to the missionary methods of CPM-style missions popular in some circles of broader Evangelicalism. Rhodes pushes back on the "non-residential missionary" model in favor of the traditional long-term method of careful church planting.
Rhodes' carefully works through the errors of these modern methods, which tend to dispense with preaching, teaching, and discipleship in favor of rapid replication. in response, this book explains the need for a long-term method of learning language and culture before attempting the foreign missionary task and of laboring to produce a spiritually mature core group from which leadership can be appointed before moving on.
My main complaint from the book is that Rhodes did not develop his definition of a missionary or the task of missions from Scripture but rather assumed the traditional ones.
This book was somewhat shocking for me, as I have only ever interacted with the missions method Rhodes espouses and had heard of the alternative methods he opposes. Learning about the so-called missions strategies used in some circles that inflate numbers and emphasize rapidity above all else and the harm they cause was helpful to grasp the state of modern missions.
Overall, this book helped me to nail down my own philosophy of missions from both a scriptural and practical perspective.
Rhodes' carefully works through the errors of these modern methods, which tend to dispense with preaching, teaching, and discipleship in favor of rapid replication. in response, this book explains the need for a long-term method of learning language and culture before attempting the foreign missionary task and of laboring to produce a spiritually mature core group from which leadership can be appointed before moving on.
My main complaint from the book is that Rhodes did not develop his definition of a missionary or the task of missions from Scripture but rather assumed the traditional ones.
This book was somewhat shocking for me, as I have only ever interacted with the missions method Rhodes espouses and had heard of the alternative methods he opposes. Learning about the so-called missions strategies used in some circles that inflate numbers and emphasize rapidity above all else and the harm they cause was helpful to grasp the state of modern missions.
Overall, this book helped me to nail down my own philosophy of missions from both a scriptural and practical perspective.
June 21, 2024
Rhodes gives thorough, biblical, and objective critiques of CPM methodology. Missionaries must be professional, plodding, and proclaiming Christians. Anything that we would expect of the elders of our churches, we should also expect of our missionaries. This is good and true.
The reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is chapter 10 on prayer and fasting. Rhodes is wrong about the benefits of extended and intense prayer as well as fasting. He critiques practices such as waking up at 4:00am to pray for hours and fasting to see progress in spiritual warfare. He would do well to read Jesus, the church fathers, the Reformers, and the Puritans on this point. He also critiques having big expectations of answered prayer, to which I stand with Charles Spurgeon who said we may not see many converts because we don’t expect them.
Rhodes ends the book by comparing the famous “Sit down young man…” rebuke of Carey to modern CPM practitioners’ rebuke of the proclamation method which is skewed. Carey was dealing with hyper-Calvinism, which I sense in chapter 10 of this work, not CPM.
The reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is chapter 10 on prayer and fasting. Rhodes is wrong about the benefits of extended and intense prayer as well as fasting. He critiques practices such as waking up at 4:00am to pray for hours and fasting to see progress in spiritual warfare. He would do well to read Jesus, the church fathers, the Reformers, and the Puritans on this point. He also critiques having big expectations of answered prayer, to which I stand with Charles Spurgeon who said we may not see many converts because we don’t expect them.
Rhodes ends the book by comparing the famous “Sit down young man…” rebuke of Carey to modern CPM practitioners’ rebuke of the proclamation method which is skewed. Carey was dealing with hyper-Calvinism, which I sense in chapter 10 of this work, not CPM.
May 20, 2022
This book should be required reading for anyone considering going into the mission field. Or for current missionaries. Or for pastors/churches supporting the work of missions.
I found it to be eye-opening about current trends in missions. It builds solid arguments for a biblical missiology. And it is well written, turning out to be an engaging read.
I found it to be eye-opening about current trends in missions. It builds solid arguments for a biblical missiology. And it is well written, turning out to be an engaging read.
June 7, 2022
Clear and useful. Not only does Rhodes deconstruct the pervasive popular approaches to missions most of us encounter on the field, but he then carefully reconstructs a more realistic approach to missions- one that considers both our real human limitations and God’s supernatural empowerment for the task. Practical, encouraging, and worth your time.
November 23, 2022
I wrote a really long review earlier but it didn’t save.
Basically I think this is a must read for every church member to be educated about common malpractice in missions and to understand the vital importance of faithful teaching, language-learning, and gathering disciples into local churches.
Basically I think this is a must read for every church member to be educated about common malpractice in missions and to understand the vital importance of faithful teaching, language-learning, and gathering disciples into local churches.
January 24, 2024
This was a fantastic read. This is a one stop shop for many different things I’ve read on in missiology over the past couple of years. I’d recommend this book to pastors to include on a reading list for their potential missionary candidates.
March 18, 2022
Missions is too important to get wrong. Read this.
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