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Scatter: Go Therefore and Take Your Job With You
"You were created for one live your life for God’s glory. You need no further special call. You have been created uniquely to do this uniquely, so work out what you’re passionate about, good at, and fit for, and go do it." — Andrew Scott In Scatter , missions innovator Andrew Scott sounds a call for a new era of missions, one that uses the global marketplace for gospel growth and sees every Christian—engineer, baker, pastor, or other—as God’s global image bearer. Andrew has served in over 52 countries and is the U.S. president of one of the world’s largest mission agencies. With eyes on a quickly-growing world and a slower-growing church, he sees that our traditional mission models simply won’t do. Here he gives a guide to change it up. Helping us see the grand narrative of Scripture and how each of us fits within it, he issues a compelling scatter .
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
59 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Scott
287 books13 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 5, 2025
Even if you don’t feel “called to overseas missions” (neither do I), this is a fantastic read that will challenge and encourage you to bring your full life and self in service of God!
December 18, 2021
Actually a solid read, definitely gets it right when it comes to evangelism, that foreign Mission is not just for"full time missionaries". Does fit the name of this app.
June 11, 2025
Andrew Scott (de schrijver, niet de acteur) legt in dit boek uit waarom onze visie op zending vaak onjuist is en erg beperkend werkt. Door zending te zien als een 'christelijke full-time bediening' missen we een groot deel van wat de Bijbel ons leert over zending. Scott roept ons op om te ontdekken waar onze talenten en passies liggen, een baan te zoeken die daar bij aansluit om die vervolgens uit te gaan oefenen op een plek waar God niet of nauwelijks wordt geëerd.
April 14, 2025
If you’re 18-30 (or even older) and a Christian, this is probably going to be a super relevant and helpful read. I recommend it to everyone! Dope tagline too.
April 7, 2022
An interesting read, and it definitely got me thinking about how to be intentional about not only what field I chose to work in but where I choose to work from and making sure that both are Kingdom-minded; however, overall, I felt like the book lacked a lot of substance. There were broad points made, and it seemed to be written as an introductory essay or call to action about a general topic rather than a book that could answer many questions about said topic. I wouldn’t recommend you not read it but it probably won’t come to mind when people ask me for book recommendations.
June 6, 2022
This book does a good job of redefining of what it looks like to be on mission. It’s not just something that the few are called to, but rather we all can turn our careers and professions into a life that is imitating Christ. By doing this, we can be wherever in the world and be impactful as we use our professional standing as an instrument to share who Christ is.
January 27, 2019
Market place missions. Scatter although a challenging idea is an easy read with great "snapshots" of how all followers of Jesus can be who God made them to be in places where the light of Christ needs to shine.
March 14, 2016
Author Andrew Scott summarizes his book "Scatter" when he writes, "It is my opinion that God is once again preparing a set of unique circumstances to facilitate the mass movement of followers of Jesus into the thoroughfares of the world taking with them the Gospel of Jesus."
Scott, a man who has visited 52 countries, is passionate about missions work and The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). His book opens with statistics. He says 2.8 billion people have no knowledge of Jesus and that every day 57,000 are added to this number. He notes that Americans spend more on Halloween costumes for their pets than on reaching the unreached of our world and that less than half a percentage point of the 1.6 million Americans engaged in full-time ministry have "scattered" to reach this huge audience of unreached souls.
Scott simply states that "compassion without action is merely pity." He then recounts the history of God scattering His people from the Babel story through the Old Testament and throughout the Roman Empire. He points out that Abraham and some of the Apostles "scattered" out of obedience to God's direction, but in every other instance the resettling of populations was either because they were taken as prisoners or were fleeing persecution or some of form of hardship.
He writes, "I believe that this is the metanarrative of Scripture, God filling the Earth with His glory through His chosen people whom He would relentlessly pursue, lovingly redeem, and powerfully use for His purpose ....... He chose to bring the universe into existence so that we, the pinnacle of His creation, could enjoy His glory and participate in the spreading of His glory and fame."
Scott passionately writes, "It is clear to me that we are not called
to the purposes of God; we are made for them."
He paints a compelling argument that the millennial generation, primarily using the Internet and their personal passion, will lead a revival of missions work.
The author firmly believes that missionaries have been hindered by the traditional system of fundraising, attaching themselves to a missions organization, and following protocol. He believes the new missionary will merely follow his heart to a country, work in the profession where he is gifted, and convert the lost by the power of example.
Scott adds, "We have elevated the status of missionary to something very narrow and super-spiritual . . . I wonder sometimes if the Apostle Paul would have made it through."
The author closes with a chapter of snapshots (stories and memories) that have inspired him and been the heroes of his life and then asks, "What if a generation would rise up and embrace both their identity and their purpose?"
I wish to thank Moody Publishers for providing an advance review copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Scott, a man who has visited 52 countries, is passionate about missions work and The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). His book opens with statistics. He says 2.8 billion people have no knowledge of Jesus and that every day 57,000 are added to this number. He notes that Americans spend more on Halloween costumes for their pets than on reaching the unreached of our world and that less than half a percentage point of the 1.6 million Americans engaged in full-time ministry have "scattered" to reach this huge audience of unreached souls.
Scott simply states that "compassion without action is merely pity." He then recounts the history of God scattering His people from the Babel story through the Old Testament and throughout the Roman Empire. He points out that Abraham and some of the Apostles "scattered" out of obedience to God's direction, but in every other instance the resettling of populations was either because they were taken as prisoners or were fleeing persecution or some of form of hardship.
He writes, "I believe that this is the metanarrative of Scripture, God filling the Earth with His glory through His chosen people whom He would relentlessly pursue, lovingly redeem, and powerfully use for His purpose ....... He chose to bring the universe into existence so that we, the pinnacle of His creation, could enjoy His glory and participate in the spreading of His glory and fame."
Scott passionately writes, "It is clear to me that we are not called
to the purposes of God; we are made for them."
He paints a compelling argument that the millennial generation, primarily using the Internet and their personal passion, will lead a revival of missions work.
The author firmly believes that missionaries have been hindered by the traditional system of fundraising, attaching themselves to a missions organization, and following protocol. He believes the new missionary will merely follow his heart to a country, work in the profession where he is gifted, and convert the lost by the power of example.
Scott adds, "We have elevated the status of missionary to something very narrow and super-spiritual . . . I wonder sometimes if the Apostle Paul would have made it through."
The author closes with a chapter of snapshots (stories and memories) that have inspired him and been the heroes of his life and then asks, "What if a generation would rise up and embrace both their identity and their purpose?"
I wish to thank Moody Publishers for providing an advance review copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2019
Leí el libro en español con el título: Dispersados. El autor apunta a que el modelo de envío de misioneros tradicionales (que levantan su sustento) a lugares de difícil acceso está siendo cada vez más complejo y difícil. Y propone en cambio la idea de “dispersarnos” como creyentes a los lugares más lejanos y complejos para llegar como trabajadores reales. Es un libro para movilizar al cuerpo de Cristo, pero no expone a profundidad los desafíos de lo que su propuesta involucra. Buen punto de partida para comenzar a reflexionar en buscar trabajos como creyentes donde Cristo no es conocido.
October 14, 2021
"God is saying, this is how I am going to bless you as My image bearers. You will be fruitful, you will multiply, you will fill the earth, and you get to govern it.... But as in any covenant, we have a responsibility to fulfill, a role to play in order to be the ongoing participants in that covenant and the recipients of it's blessing."
Andre Scott, President & CEO of @om_aroundtheworld sheds light on God's commands to fill the earth and make disciples as we do. In this prompting to refresh our idea of missions, Scott points out the business of "tent-making" and how the modern day calls for a different kind of missionary.
Scott provides the reader with startling stats that depict a dark world filled with people who have never heard the name of Jesus. But in that darkness, there is a hope: Jesus and his Church, who has been called to make disciples.
I highly recommend reading this book, whether you feel called to be a "missionary" or not. God has given you a calling, and that calling includes making disciples as you go.
Andre Scott, President & CEO of @om_aroundtheworld sheds light on God's commands to fill the earth and make disciples as we do. In this prompting to refresh our idea of missions, Scott points out the business of "tent-making" and how the modern day calls for a different kind of missionary.
Scott provides the reader with startling stats that depict a dark world filled with people who have never heard the name of Jesus. But in that darkness, there is a hope: Jesus and his Church, who has been called to make disciples.
I highly recommend reading this book, whether you feel called to be a "missionary" or not. God has given you a calling, and that calling includes making disciples as you go.
January 26, 2023
Was super excited about this book because I get really passionate about entering the "secular" workforce with excellence and evangelism. However, this book let me down!!! It read like a youth pastor's sermons that used way too many analogies and at the end of each analogy you were just left confused with how it fit into the actual purpose of the book. One word to describe the book is just lacking. Like it was good but could have done so much more. Some things I did appreciate about the book... the use of statistics and providing real-world data on global evangelism, the bravery to handle such a sticky subject about financially supported missionaries, and the encouragement to approach whatever job you are doing with excellence and zeal. I certainly finished the book both encouraged and convicted!
I second what another person said in their review- I wouldn't recommend that you not read it, but it wouldn't come to my mind as a great boo.
I second what another person said in their review- I wouldn't recommend that you not read it, but it wouldn't come to my mind as a great boo.
June 11, 2020
Great intro to the model of marketplace missions. I'm a firm believer in this model; "traditional" missionaries are likely going to continue to decrease as countries become more closed to religious workers. At the same time, a new generation of ambitious and talented millennial Christians are desiring to do work that goes beyond making money and transform the world, so why not unleash them to use their talents to benefit society and open up doors for the Gospel at the same time?
January 27, 2023
The message of the book is so true and something that people should hear about. We are to live life on mission and use the gifts and talents God has given us. None of us are “sidelined” from the call to make disciples of all nations.
The book was sporadic and written like a conference talk. It was not as logic based as I would have liked to see. The ideas and basis for the book are smothered with stories and anecdotes.
The book was sporadic and written like a conference talk. It was not as logic based as I would have liked to see. The ideas and basis for the book are smothered with stories and anecdotes.
February 26, 2023
I think this idea of going to the nations and working a "regular job" is great. Not to say that everyone has to do this, but it is definitely a way to reach unreached you may never have contact with if not for that job. Also I appreciate avoiding the "fake job" because sometimes I am uneasy about the idea and its potential dishonesty. Challenging me to think about how I view my future career and my role in God's plan of redemption.
February 22, 2022
Excellent book. He overstates the exegesis at times for emphasis but it does not affect the main point. It is time to change the mission model and to intentionally scatter, taking our jobs with us, doing whatever job we do with excellence, shining the light of Jesus wherever God takes us.
June 18, 2025
Love the way he writes, very readable. Powerful proposal. I'd highly recommend this to any young follower of Jesus trying to figure out what their next season of life holds. Be prepared to be convicted, challenged, and a bit overwhelmed though!
January 25, 2018
This is a great read! I love the illustrations Scott used to bring his point home.
March 16, 2018
Instrumental in my life and how I will live and work from now on. Andrew has helped me better understand the theology of work and its importance in the Kingdom of God.
May 9, 2023
Excelente book from chapters 6-10 and the prologue. Very inspiring and reassuring
February 2, 2019
A book to start a movement of people scattering all over the world using their talents, skills and vocations to further God’s kingdom to the least reached.
A very interesting read. A great movement could come out of this. I hope it shows people how they can use their talents, passions, vocations and job to reach people. A missionary doesn’t have to be evangelizing on the streets anymore, they can be an accountant or a nurse or a shop owner. Sharing Christ is about creating relationships with your community and colleagues and showing God’s love everyday in what you do. Andrew Scott shares some powerful stories and calls to “go” in this book.
I pray some people will take this book to heart and scatter. Maybe follow that calling they’ve had but didn’t know how to fulfill. Finally be brave enough to take that leap to follow God’s will to a new country to share the gospel while in the workplace. Reflecting Christ in their life wherever they are and whatever they’re doing.
A very interesting read. A great movement could come out of this. I hope it shows people how they can use their talents, passions, vocations and job to reach people. A missionary doesn’t have to be evangelizing on the streets anymore, they can be an accountant or a nurse or a shop owner. Sharing Christ is about creating relationships with your community and colleagues and showing God’s love everyday in what you do. Andrew Scott shares some powerful stories and calls to “go” in this book.
I pray some people will take this book to heart and scatter. Maybe follow that calling they’ve had but didn’t know how to fulfill. Finally be brave enough to take that leap to follow God’s will to a new country to share the gospel while in the workplace. Reflecting Christ in their life wherever they are and whatever they’re doing.
June 16, 2016
The historical model of missions is not working. The amount of money the church gives for missions is pathetic. “Americans spend more on Halloween costumes – for our pets – than we give to reaching the unreached in our world.” (11) Scott provides some snapshots of the unreached today that are heartbreaking.
We need to get a new picture, Scott argues. That division between “full-time” Christian workers and the rest of us needs to be retired. Every believer gets to be a “full-time” follower of Christ, bringing glory to God through our professions and other aspects of our life. Just like the early Christians were scattered, we are to scatter to permeate our society and the world.
What an encouraging book! We are encouraged to live our passion, to be who God created us to be. We might be a business owner. We might be an artist, a plumber, or a teacher. Whatever we do, whether it is out in society or in our home, we are to live for God's kingdom, not our own accumulation of wealth. Our life is centered on the purposes of God, pointing others to God's glory.
Scott asks, “What if an entire generation redirected their purpose away from the elusive and godless American dream?” (72) He includes inspiring stories of people who have done so. He encourages us by reminding us we were made in God's image and of our position in Christ, accepted and loved. He uses biblical examples and tells some great parables to illustrate his principles.
I highly recommend this book to those in church leadership. Scott has included a note to pastors and mission leaders. They are encouraged to accept a new paradigm and empower a generation to share the gospel with their coworkers and neighbors. Those of us sitting in the pews need encouragement from our leaders to do that.
There are a couple of thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter so this book could be used for a group or personal study.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
We need to get a new picture, Scott argues. That division between “full-time” Christian workers and the rest of us needs to be retired. Every believer gets to be a “full-time” follower of Christ, bringing glory to God through our professions and other aspects of our life. Just like the early Christians were scattered, we are to scatter to permeate our society and the world.
What an encouraging book! We are encouraged to live our passion, to be who God created us to be. We might be a business owner. We might be an artist, a plumber, or a teacher. Whatever we do, whether it is out in society or in our home, we are to live for God's kingdom, not our own accumulation of wealth. Our life is centered on the purposes of God, pointing others to God's glory.
Scott asks, “What if an entire generation redirected their purpose away from the elusive and godless American dream?” (72) He includes inspiring stories of people who have done so. He encourages us by reminding us we were made in God's image and of our position in Christ, accepted and loved. He uses biblical examples and tells some great parables to illustrate his principles.
I highly recommend this book to those in church leadership. Scott has included a note to pastors and mission leaders. They are encouraged to accept a new paradigm and empower a generation to share the gospel with their coworkers and neighbors. Those of us sitting in the pews need encouragement from our leaders to do that.
There are a couple of thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter so this book could be used for a group or personal study.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
June 23, 2016
When missions are mentioned, most people think that you leave everything you know behind and go someplace to share the gospel. On top of that, there is a certain way that you have to share the gospel. Though this can work, and has worked in the past, Andrew Scott believes that there is a better way, one that lets people still share the gospel, but according to how God created them to be. Scott says that more people could be reached if God's people would Scatter.
There is no question that Christians are sent to go share the gospel, we all acknowledge the commission Jesus gave His followers. The question is, are we supposed to leave all of our "secular" skills behind? Using the times Israel was scattered into foreign lands, and when early Christians escaped persecution as examples, Scott shows how God has sent His people out, especially when they tended to get comfortable. They went, and used the skills and talents they had to live among the people and be a witness for God. We have the choice to do the same thing willingly.
Scott makes a lot of good and valid points, the one that sticks with me most being that we are to use everything God has given us to serve and glorify Him. Let people see what we can do, and use that as an opening to share God's love with them.
Scatter is written in an encouraging way, not like you're being spoken down to, but walked with and pushed to do your best at whatever God has made you to do. I recommend it for any Christian, whether your missions field is in another country or your hometown.
I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.
There is no question that Christians are sent to go share the gospel, we all acknowledge the commission Jesus gave His followers. The question is, are we supposed to leave all of our "secular" skills behind? Using the times Israel was scattered into foreign lands, and when early Christians escaped persecution as examples, Scott shows how God has sent His people out, especially when they tended to get comfortable. They went, and used the skills and talents they had to live among the people and be a witness for God. We have the choice to do the same thing willingly.
Scott makes a lot of good and valid points, the one that sticks with me most being that we are to use everything God has given us to serve and glorify Him. Let people see what we can do, and use that as an opening to share God's love with them.
Scatter is written in an encouraging way, not like you're being spoken down to, but walked with and pushed to do your best at whatever God has made you to do. I recommend it for any Christian, whether your missions field is in another country or your hometown.
I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.
June 13, 2021
Un libro confrontante sobre la Misión Global de Dios.
September 15, 2016
This books focuses on taking your job with you and be a christian where ever you are. Point taken, let's go for it. "Old missions strategies" don't work and support is declining. That's true, less money goes to missions, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. I don't think the problem is lack of money or less people going to places where Christ is not know. It is lack of involvement of the church. Missions and the church are disconnected. Missions belongs to the church, they send out their people, as a missionary or as an employee working for a company. Don't make a dualism out of that. Missionary organisations are facilitators and use their experience to help people do their job or ministry. So churches need to think over their missions vision/strategy and missionary organisations need to think over their role.
March 21, 2016
Rating: 3.25
Andrew Scott takes on a sticky subject in this book. Christians living for Christ. He points out some staggering statistics on how less than 1% of proclaimed American Christians take part in Missions. He feels that we are not fulfilling the great commission with our apathy. Scott also believes that if we are not going to take part in missions we should at least be noticed in our own communities for our Daily Walk. Through his writing you capture his passion for missions and he gives some great examples on how you could begin your own life as a missionary.
Andrew Scott takes on a sticky subject in this book. Christians living for Christ. He points out some staggering statistics on how less than 1% of proclaimed American Christians take part in Missions. He feels that we are not fulfilling the great commission with our apathy. Scott also believes that if we are not going to take part in missions we should at least be noticed in our own communities for our Daily Walk. Through his writing you capture his passion for missions and he gives some great examples on how you could begin your own life as a missionary.
November 21, 2016
Great book that teaches how the church should focus on teaching every Christian how to be missionaries wherever they are at. It is inspiring and encouraging to hear that 39 of the 40 miracles in the book of Acts were performed by people who weren't apostles and that they happened away from the religious parts of town. So I think each Christian leader should read this book and learn to commission their teachers, business people, doctors, lawyers, accountants, IT guys, data entry specialists, musicians, multi level marketers and much more to be missionaries wherever their job takes them.
May 18, 2016
This is one of the best book's I've ever read that deals with putting your faith into action. Pastors, followers of Christ, back row believers, young people, old people...anyone who cares about the future of the Church needs to read this book and act on its message. If you were inspired by David Platt's "Radical" or Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life," Scatter will give you the next steps. Just awesome!
August 31, 2016
Great book, both challenging and inspiring. Every Christian should read, especially ministry leaders.
September 18, 2016
This might be a useful read if you are considering what next to do with your life.
November 22, 2016
Great Book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews