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A Field Guide for Everyday Mission: 30 Days and 101 Ways to Demonstrate the Gospel
Surprise - whoever you are, you're a missionary!
If you call yourself a follower of Jesus, God calls you his missionary. You may never go halfway around the world. You may not raise financial support. But because of God's gospel work in you, you are on to people in your work, school, neighborhood, and those in need. As everyday missionaries, God has sent us to live out his Great Commission in the ordinary, normal, all-too-busy, and even most mundane moments of our lives.
A Field Guide for Everyday Mission answers these questions and more for individuals, churches, small groups, and missional communities. Many resources exist on missional theory, leadership, and stories. But based on their years of helping people tangibly demonstrate the gospel, pastors and practitioners Ben Connelly and Bob Roberts Jr. have created a resource to help ordinary followers of Jesus put the idea of mission into everyday practice.
Each day's reading includes an immediately practicable biblical principle and ends with a few ways to help you live it out. By the end of day 30, you'll have 101 different ways to demonstrate the gospel in your daily life. And along the way, practitioners such as Jeff Vanderstelt, Rick McKinley, and Lance Ford share stories from their unique contexts. A Field Guide for Everyday Mission is a tool designed for you, whether you're newly considering the missional idea, have never heard the word before, or have spent years trying to figure out how to put it into practice.
If you call yourself a follower of Jesus, God calls you his missionary. You may never go halfway around the world. You may not raise financial support. But because of God's gospel work in you, you are on to people in your work, school, neighborhood, and those in need. As everyday missionaries, God has sent us to live out his Great Commission in the ordinary, normal, all-too-busy, and even most mundane moments of our lives.
A Field Guide for Everyday Mission answers these questions and more for individuals, churches, small groups, and missional communities. Many resources exist on missional theory, leadership, and stories. But based on their years of helping people tangibly demonstrate the gospel, pastors and practitioners Ben Connelly and Bob Roberts Jr. have created a resource to help ordinary followers of Jesus put the idea of mission into everyday practice.
Each day's reading includes an immediately practicable biblical principle and ends with a few ways to help you live it out. By the end of day 30, you'll have 101 different ways to demonstrate the gospel in your daily life. And along the way, practitioners such as Jeff Vanderstelt, Rick McKinley, and Lance Ford share stories from their unique contexts. A Field Guide for Everyday Mission is a tool designed for you, whether you're newly considering the missional idea, have never heard the word before, or have spent years trying to figure out how to put it into practice.
- GenresChristianChristianity
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Ben Connelly
8 books19 followersBen Connelly is Director of Training for Saturate and Soma, leads Plant Fort Worth, and is co-planting Salt+Light Community in 2021.
He and Jess met doing student ministry in Waco, TX, then moved to Fort Worth where they planted The City Church (Acts 29/ Soma) in 2009. Now, after over 20 years serving local churches together, they train disciple-makers and planter couples across the world, as well as churches/ organizations with a desire for sending.
They live in Fort Worth, TX with their three kids, and host short-term foster placements, each on his/her way toward reunification or adoption.
Ben has written/contributed to several books, workbooks, articles, and publications, and has also taught university and seminary classes.
He and Jess met doing student ministry in Waco, TX, then moved to Fort Worth where they planted The City Church (Acts 29/ Soma) in 2009. Now, after over 20 years serving local churches together, they train disciple-makers and planter couples across the world, as well as churches/ organizations with a desire for sending.
They live in Fort Worth, TX with their three kids, and host short-term foster placements, each on his/her way toward reunification or adoption.
Ben has written/contributed to several books, workbooks, articles, and publications, and has also taught university and seminary classes.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Moody Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
In order to get a lot out of this book you have to understand where the authors are coming from. This is a book whose entire point depends on a couple of assumptions. One of them is the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers [1], which views all believers as not only future kings and priests but current priests of the order of Melchizedek by virtue of their conversion. On top of this, the authors view the great commission as applying to all believers. As a result, the authors take a viewpoint consistent with their presuppositions that all believers are therefore missionaries in some fashion and should therefore be instructed in how to go about this vocation in as effective a manner as possible. Given the premises of the authors, I think this is an excellent approach, and it manages to address many of the concerns that people have about Christians in terms of friendliness and politeness and genuine interest in others as people and not merely as projects. Overall this book is a job well done.
In terms of its contents, this book is about two hundred pages long and is divided into six parts that are themselves divided into five daily segments. This is a thirty-day devotional that takes place over the weekdays of six weeks, and is full of biblical scriptures as well as personal stories and a wide variety of perspectives aside from the authors', many of which show themselves to be influenced by the social gospel that is popular in areas where institutional Christianity is weak and people feel it necessary to appeal to those whose belief systems are highly defective through working on social issues of larger societal interest. The six weeks are based around the fundamental questions of journalism, with a missional focus: Why should I even care? Who is my everyday mission field: What does an everyday missionary do? When does everyday mission happen? Where does everyday mission happen? How do I share the gospel without killing the relationship? The advice manages to be generally biblical as well as practical and encourages people to be good listeners and simply be honest about their beliefs as it comes up naturally in one's conversation while one is going about as a godly person in the midst of the world around.
Overall, this is a book that will likely be most popular within a certain part of the Protestant world. Again, the presuppositions that the authors hold are not ones that everyone would agree with. Likewise, there are many believers who simply have no interest in or tolerance in the sort of social do-gooding that this book encourages. This book's intended audience is one that has a high degree of personal responsibility for the corner of the world that God has placed us in and a high degree of respect for others as being created in God's image whether or not they believe or behave as we do. Thankfully, this book is far less offensive than many books written by those of the contemporary social gospel movement, which made it a pleasure to read. The authors themselves desire more than simply to be read, though, but they want others to apply their thoughts and perspectives in their own everyday lives as they interact with a great many people and make friends among people of the world.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
In order to get a lot out of this book you have to understand where the authors are coming from. This is a book whose entire point depends on a couple of assumptions. One of them is the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers [1], which views all believers as not only future kings and priests but current priests of the order of Melchizedek by virtue of their conversion. On top of this, the authors view the great commission as applying to all believers. As a result, the authors take a viewpoint consistent with their presuppositions that all believers are therefore missionaries in some fashion and should therefore be instructed in how to go about this vocation in as effective a manner as possible. Given the premises of the authors, I think this is an excellent approach, and it manages to address many of the concerns that people have about Christians in terms of friendliness and politeness and genuine interest in others as people and not merely as projects. Overall this book is a job well done.
In terms of its contents, this book is about two hundred pages long and is divided into six parts that are themselves divided into five daily segments. This is a thirty-day devotional that takes place over the weekdays of six weeks, and is full of biblical scriptures as well as personal stories and a wide variety of perspectives aside from the authors', many of which show themselves to be influenced by the social gospel that is popular in areas where institutional Christianity is weak and people feel it necessary to appeal to those whose belief systems are highly defective through working on social issues of larger societal interest. The six weeks are based around the fundamental questions of journalism, with a missional focus: Why should I even care? Who is my everyday mission field: What does an everyday missionary do? When does everyday mission happen? Where does everyday mission happen? How do I share the gospel without killing the relationship? The advice manages to be generally biblical as well as practical and encourages people to be good listeners and simply be honest about their beliefs as it comes up naturally in one's conversation while one is going about as a godly person in the midst of the world around.
Overall, this is a book that will likely be most popular within a certain part of the Protestant world. Again, the presuppositions that the authors hold are not ones that everyone would agree with. Likewise, there are many believers who simply have no interest in or tolerance in the sort of social do-gooding that this book encourages. This book's intended audience is one that has a high degree of personal responsibility for the corner of the world that God has placed us in and a high degree of respect for others as being created in God's image whether or not they believe or behave as we do. Thankfully, this book is far less offensive than many books written by those of the contemporary social gospel movement, which made it a pleasure to read. The authors themselves desire more than simply to be read, though, but they want others to apply their thoughts and perspectives in their own everyday lives as they interact with a great many people and make friends among people of the world.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
May 1, 2023
ok y'all I will be so so honest, I did not finish this book but I did finish it mostly which is why I am counting it as read. I know that won't fly with some of y'all (talking bout you Zach Davin) but I feel like I read enough of it to be justified.
While I couldn't bring myself to finish it, it really was a good resource. I would recommend this for people who have recently learned about the Christian call to missions but have no idea where to start. It helps the reader connect tangible steps to live on mission day-in-day-out in ways that are easy to put into practice.
While I couldn't bring myself to finish it, it really was a good resource. I would recommend this for people who have recently learned about the Christian call to missions but have no idea where to start. It helps the reader connect tangible steps to live on mission day-in-day-out in ways that are easy to put into practice.
January 27, 2023
I've never come across a devotional all about mission and neighboring. I'm grateful for this resource to give out to folks in my church. I was a bit underwhelmed by the first 10 days, but the remainder really picked up. I loved the formatting of the book - one devotion a day for 31 days with 101 practical ideas spread throughout. And some real-life testimonies.
Read it if you are interested in growing in confidence to love your neighbors and share the gospel with them.
Read it if you are interested in growing in confidence to love your neighbors and share the gospel with them.
July 1, 2014
√ Take a Few Puffs on a Cigar!
Yes, it's true. The authors are renegades. They are wild--nay, abnormal! They suggest smoking, a little gambling, keeping a pipe handy. I wasn't sure I understood them right, but I think they even suggested having a nip of whiskey at a campfire. Can this be? Have the authors lost their senses? What will come next--talking to Democrats?
♦ Relax, the authors are in full possession of their faculties. Their point is, if that's what it takes to reach the lost, then DO IT. Instead of isolating ourselves, let us make proactive choices to embrace your mission field, wherever you are. Yes, maybe that will involve sitting at a bar. As the authors state it in Tip #40, "Become stoked about people."
♦ Our lives should NOT be same as others; we have to be different--even sort of radical: "We should live in a way that makes folks wonder if we've got a few screws loose... Because of Jesus' work in us, our lives, choices, and decisions are marked by gospel abnormality." YES, YES, they've got it right! We are supposed to be different--we should seem a little strange, at least by the world's standard.
♦ This book reminds me a lot of Bill Hybels, "Just Walk Across the Room." The theme is very similar--take proactive action to reach the lost. In it's simplest form, this means simply saying, "Hello" to someone you don't know. As simple as this sounds, the fact is Christians are often reticent to talk to others: "Many people consider themselves shy. Striking up a conversation is simply something several of us aren't comfortable with."
♦ In A FIELD GUIDE FOR EVERYDAY MISSION, the authors provide an abundance of encouraging stories and suggestions to help us take that step "across the room." Tip #81 is, "Share missional stories with leaders: Even if leaders don't get it, your mission should benefit the church." I've found it helpful to share these stories in our sermon "discussion group." I've found that 90% of believers need encouragement about how to reach out to the unchurched folks.
♦ There are stories recounted by the authors and their friends, about ways they demonstrated the love of Jesus in their own mission field. For example, the story of the odd neighbor, "Crazy Dan," told by Lance Ford. According to Lance, Dan did indeed look a bit crazy. The house was falling apart, and it was a bit disconcerting to approach Dan in his car. But Lance took the initiative and got to know Dan. Turns out he was a computer scientist! Surprise! He wasn't crazy--he was LONELY. Dan continues to share his time with Dan, hoping and praying that someday Dan will give his heart to Jesus.
These are the types of encouraging stories presented in this encouraging book. These are not theoretical stories, about some faraway place--they are the stories of what can happen in OUR community. Such as, Rick McKinley, who takes a completely different tact in his city, Portland. There, despite bias against evangelicals, he works with the mayor and city officials, to help improve their city--and specifically improve the high school drop out rate.
Here are some other features:
♦ In each chapter, there are probing questions "For you to work through." These questions are designed to be helpful and encouraging. There are general questions, as well as questions for each of the 30 days.
♦ The authors emphasize they aren't encouraging doing "good" things just to be doing "good" things: "Mission is not truly mission if it doesn't involve Jesus." I remember when I helped pass out food in a poor section of San Diego. The African-American man standing next to me always made clear, "Jesus is the reason for the season." He wanted to announce what was REALLY important--not the food, but the savior.
♦ The authors conclude with Day 30, "Learn to Share the gospel by practicing sharing the gospel." Or, "JUST DO IT." They quote from the famous book, "Outliers," where Malcolm Gladwell claims that 10,000 hours of practice are required to become the best at some field.
√ HIGHLY RECOMMEND - THIS IS ONE OUTSTANDING BOOK! But I have to go now, I'm trying to get my pipe lit, and I've got an appointment to talk to a Democrat over a shot of Whiskey and ...
Yes, it's true. The authors are renegades. They are wild--nay, abnormal! They suggest smoking, a little gambling, keeping a pipe handy. I wasn't sure I understood them right, but I think they even suggested having a nip of whiskey at a campfire. Can this be? Have the authors lost their senses? What will come next--talking to Democrats?
♦ Relax, the authors are in full possession of their faculties. Their point is, if that's what it takes to reach the lost, then DO IT. Instead of isolating ourselves, let us make proactive choices to embrace your mission field, wherever you are. Yes, maybe that will involve sitting at a bar. As the authors state it in Tip #40, "Become stoked about people."
♦ Our lives should NOT be same as others; we have to be different--even sort of radical: "We should live in a way that makes folks wonder if we've got a few screws loose... Because of Jesus' work in us, our lives, choices, and decisions are marked by gospel abnormality." YES, YES, they've got it right! We are supposed to be different--we should seem a little strange, at least by the world's standard.
♦ This book reminds me a lot of Bill Hybels, "Just Walk Across the Room." The theme is very similar--take proactive action to reach the lost. In it's simplest form, this means simply saying, "Hello" to someone you don't know. As simple as this sounds, the fact is Christians are often reticent to talk to others: "Many people consider themselves shy. Striking up a conversation is simply something several of us aren't comfortable with."
♦ In A FIELD GUIDE FOR EVERYDAY MISSION, the authors provide an abundance of encouraging stories and suggestions to help us take that step "across the room." Tip #81 is, "Share missional stories with leaders: Even if leaders don't get it, your mission should benefit the church." I've found it helpful to share these stories in our sermon "discussion group." I've found that 90% of believers need encouragement about how to reach out to the unchurched folks.
♦ There are stories recounted by the authors and their friends, about ways they demonstrated the love of Jesus in their own mission field. For example, the story of the odd neighbor, "Crazy Dan," told by Lance Ford. According to Lance, Dan did indeed look a bit crazy. The house was falling apart, and it was a bit disconcerting to approach Dan in his car. But Lance took the initiative and got to know Dan. Turns out he was a computer scientist! Surprise! He wasn't crazy--he was LONELY. Dan continues to share his time with Dan, hoping and praying that someday Dan will give his heart to Jesus.
These are the types of encouraging stories presented in this encouraging book. These are not theoretical stories, about some faraway place--they are the stories of what can happen in OUR community. Such as, Rick McKinley, who takes a completely different tact in his city, Portland. There, despite bias against evangelicals, he works with the mayor and city officials, to help improve their city--and specifically improve the high school drop out rate.
Here are some other features:
♦ In each chapter, there are probing questions "For you to work through." These questions are designed to be helpful and encouraging. There are general questions, as well as questions for each of the 30 days.
♦ The authors emphasize they aren't encouraging doing "good" things just to be doing "good" things: "Mission is not truly mission if it doesn't involve Jesus." I remember when I helped pass out food in a poor section of San Diego. The African-American man standing next to me always made clear, "Jesus is the reason for the season." He wanted to announce what was REALLY important--not the food, but the savior.
♦ The authors conclude with Day 30, "Learn to Share the gospel by practicing sharing the gospel." Or, "JUST DO IT." They quote from the famous book, "Outliers," where Malcolm Gladwell claims that 10,000 hours of practice are required to become the best at some field.
√ HIGHLY RECOMMEND - THIS IS ONE OUTSTANDING BOOK! But I have to go now, I'm trying to get my pipe lit, and I've got an appointment to talk to a Democrat over a shot of Whiskey and ...
December 31, 2016
Three three star rating I'm giving doesn't have to so much with the actually content as it does with the presentation of the content. Initially I felt like the idea of daily short readings and ideas of how to live on mission was a good idea, but the more I read the more overwhelming it felt. There was simply too much jammed into a small book. It was almost as if the authors were saying "everybody should be a missionary, it's easy" while then going ok to present an overload of information that was not easy to follow or implement. I read this book looking for a resource for our church members to use to train in how to live on mission, but I knew in the first few chapters they would be intimidated but the dense nature of each chapter and the amount of ideas.
With that said, many of the ideas are fantastic. The authors do indeed offer ways of living on mission that are not sharing Jesus using the four spiritual laws. They present an accurate case that every Christian is called to make disciples and reach the lost. I just wish book would have been shorter and more simplified for the lay person. Being a pastor I was able to follow all their key concepts fine, but most lay members of the church won't make it very far in this book.
Three key take aways:
1. Everyone who is not a Christian is a not-yet-believer
"We’ve used the term “not-yet-believer” throughout this book to refer to those who don’t know Jesus."
2. Invite people into your life not just to church
"Inviting people into our lives is harder than inviting people to church or an event. It takes vulnerability, generosity, and hospitality."
3. Train people to pray and follow up
"praying with someone once is meaningful, following up is even more meaningful."
Other:
"do we try to fit God’s mission around our priorities, or will we reprioritize our time around God’s mission?"
"When we started The City Church, we introduced people to new identities God gives us in the gospel: in Christ, we are disciples of God, members of God’s family, and missionaries to God’s world."
With that said, many of the ideas are fantastic. The authors do indeed offer ways of living on mission that are not sharing Jesus using the four spiritual laws. They present an accurate case that every Christian is called to make disciples and reach the lost. I just wish book would have been shorter and more simplified for the lay person. Being a pastor I was able to follow all their key concepts fine, but most lay members of the church won't make it very far in this book.
Three key take aways:
1. Everyone who is not a Christian is a not-yet-believer
"We’ve used the term “not-yet-believer” throughout this book to refer to those who don’t know Jesus."
2. Invite people into your life not just to church
"Inviting people into our lives is harder than inviting people to church or an event. It takes vulnerability, generosity, and hospitality."
3. Train people to pray and follow up
"praying with someone once is meaningful, following up is even more meaningful."
Other:
"do we try to fit God’s mission around our priorities, or will we reprioritize our time around God’s mission?"
"When we started The City Church, we introduced people to new identities God gives us in the gospel: in Christ, we are disciples of God, members of God’s family, and missionaries to God’s world."
June 17, 2014
This is the best resource I've read on the practicalities of how a life lived on mission might look. I am eager to encourage others to read it and hope groups of people will walk through it, with Bibles in hand, as they consider how they'll live on everyday mission.
If "Total Church" is a look at the theological foundations and big-picture view of what a missional church might look like, this "Field Guide" helps us get a look at the practical implications of that theology and philosophy. This book is perfectly formatted for equipping your church groups to take steps into mission in their everyday.
If "Total Church" is a look at the theological foundations and big-picture view of what a missional church might look like, this "Field Guide" helps us get a look at the practical implications of that theology and philosophy. This book is perfectly formatted for equipping your church groups to take steps into mission in their everyday.
November 3, 2014
In A Field Guide for Everyday Mission, Ben Connelly and Bob Roberts Jr. break down what everyday mission is and how and when to do it. The book is easy to follow, filled with personal testimonies and has a strong biblical foundation. The book is broken down into daily readings to allow you to implement the over 100 tips given throughout 30 days. Whether you are a new believer or mature in your walk with the Lord this book has something for you to help you live out the everyday mission you we are called to do. I read the book individually but I think it would also be great to read in a small group setting to help keep one another accountable.
May 14, 2016
This book was interesting. It's a practical guide for small groups, individuals, and churches. Its a helpful guide, simple. Most people think that going to church every Sunday is all they have to do, but there's more to it than that. We have to try to lead people to Christ. I remember my godmother and I going to different people's house for a prayer meeting or a bible study. That was so exciting. After reading this book, you will have 101 ways to demonstrate the gospel. This is a great tool for someone ready to start the everyday mission. Each day has a bible scripture to read. This book will liven up your life. It answers so many questions, you will keep this close at hand.
November 20, 2015
Amazingly helpful, practical, and jam-packed with insightful and common-sense ideas for sharing Christ in the most natural of circumstances. Those looking for ideas about what it means to live as a missional Christian will find both motivation and methodology here. Recommend!
December 21, 2015
Great primer
For those new to the missional conversation, this book is an excellent introduction to the subject, complete with examples on how to live out the missionary life God calls all Christians to live.
For those new to the missional conversation, this book is an excellent introduction to the subject, complete with examples on how to live out the missionary life God calls all Christians to live.
February 15, 2016
5 stars = Yearly re-read
4 stars = Re-read eventually
3 stars = Very Good
2 stars = OK
1 stars = Pass on this one.
0 stars = Couldn't finish it.
4 stars = Re-read eventually
3 stars = Very Good
2 stars = OK
1 stars = Pass on this one.
0 stars = Couldn't finish it.
April 9, 2015
Great resource for all Christains. Contains helpful ideas of how to live like a missionary in everyday life. I will return to this book often.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews