Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations

by Warrick Farah

Discover Your Place in the Movement of God 

An incredible breakthrough in missions history is taking place as disciples of Jesus make more disciples of Jesus around the globe, particularly among the least-reached. But what exactly are these church planting or disciple making movements? Where are they occurring and what are their unifying features? How are they manifesting in diverse populations? And can you or your organization be instrumental in catalyzing more movements? Motus Dei, Latin for “movement of God,” seeks to answer these questions and more.  

Warrick Farah has expertly synthesized an extensive conversation between mission practitioners, scholars, and seasoned movement leaders from around the world. The resulting in-depth analysis of movements provides a multi-disciplinary academic investigation of an emerging “movements missiology,” highlighting the importance of theology, social sciences, ethnology and anthropology, communications theory, leadership theory, and statistical analysis. Motus Dei locates the current Church Planting Movement (CPM) phenomenon within modern history, while tracing its roots back to the first century, and articulates a missiological description of the dynamics of Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) in Asia, Africa, and diaspora contexts in the Global North.  

Offering over thirty first-hand accounts of indigenous churches planting churches among the nations, Motus Dei provides a seedbed for growing movements in diverse contexts. There are lessons to be learned here by anyone seeking to participate in the movement of God. 

376 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[W. Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books on Discipleship-Making Movement (DMM) and Church Planting Movement (CPM) abound. Most of these books are prescriptive and actively promote the DMM/CPM approach. Motus Dei, however, is a more descriptive and scholarly approach to the subject though the contributors are all advocates of movement approaches.

I think Warrick Farah's chapter on movements is the best introduction and analysis of the subject. He is much more nuanced and balanced in the way he presents and advocates for movements methodology as opposed to those who wrote the popular introductions (e.g. David Watson, Jerry Trousdale). I also appreciate Dave Cole's chapter on addressing the common objections to DMM/CPM. I think he responded to the objections very well and succinctly. Moreover, he does not show a defensive attitude but humbly acknowledges the valid concerns pointed out by the objections and shows how DMM/CPM, if done sensitively and thoughtfully, could address those concerns.

Overall, in my opinion, the quality and usefulness of the essays vary (which is not surprising for any work with multiple contributors). However, I am glad to see a more nuanced and scholarly DMM/CPM resource added to the growing number of DMM literatures. I hope to see more books like Motus Dei coming in the next few years!

[Marti Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the remarkable features of global mission today is the growth of more than 1,000 disciple-making movements including more than 70 million believers. Too good to be true? Too strange to be good? While the literature about disciple-making movements is growing, this book is a big step forward in compiling some of the best thinking and research on contemporary disciple-making movements. Definitely pro-movement but with plenty of critical thinking brought to bear.

Here some 30 contributors share biblical and historical perspectives, factors that contribute to or challenge movements, meaty and diverse case studies, and areas for further research and reflection. If academic or strategic research is on your mind, this book will give you a head start as it includes lots of references and detail on research methodology. A number of the authors also offer key points from their recent or soon-to-be-published work.

The book is one outcome of a 2020 virtual movements research symposium held by Motus Dei, an international network for the missiological study of global movements to Christ.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive book about DMM, descriptions, analysis, case studies, self-reflection & hopes for the future. I learned a lot, especially the self-reflection part about critically evaluating ministry in learning communities. I look forward to learning with the Motus Dei network and seeing how the Sovereign Lord uses these people & principles to awaken & empower the Church.

[Mike Allbutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each chapter was different. Some chapters were more impactful to me than others. Took me a while to read but it was worth it.

[Mike Dili · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on movements. It was well balanced with in-depth research and practitioners sharing their practical stories of what the Lord is doing through movements.