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Forgotten dynamite

Christianity's explosive

FORGOTTEN DYNAMITE
By Michael Green
Kingsway. 187 pages
ISBN 1 84291 120 1

'For centuries the church has had times when it has focused on reaching out to people with the gospel. Holding a "mission" in this way reflects the loving movement of God towards the people he has made and wishes to rescue.' This is what we are told on the cover of the book, but that was then, and the situation in Britain is very different today. With the demise of evangelistic missions, Michael Green writes about rediscovering their power. He makes a powerful, logical case as he pleads for churches to think and plan towards holding a 'mission'.

The book is rather like a manual as it describes practically how to get started, how to use a team, what sort of programme to put on, how to preach evangelistically and follow up those who are converted.

I could quibble about aspects of the book ... the author is very partial to his Oxford links, his favourite activities and people, as well as his own denomination. I am disappointed that Michael Green does not seem to see an element of warning people of judgement and God's wrath as necessary in gospel preaching.

However, the book is a 'must-read' for Christian leaders, and I am delighted it has been written. Evangelistic missions are vital if the church is again to be a centre from which the good news of Jesus goes out to people in its locality. For too long we have been satisfied to concentrate on the more fruitful work of evangelising our friends, and those on the fringe of the church. Mission can be a vital part of that ministry, but it also encourages outreach to those who have no contact with the people of God. It is therefore a vital part of the church's work. And for any Christian leader involved in a church where there has not been an evangelistic mission for some time, this book may kick start you to pray, plan and prepare for one.

As Michael Green says, 'If you have churches today where membership as a whole is convinced about Jesus and excited with him; if you have a unity and love which is hard to find elsewhere; if you find a caring for non-members which is extraordinary in its generosity; if you find worship that takes you out of yourself and challenges you to find a convincing explanation; and if you have ordinary Christians who cannot keep quiet about Jesus; then you have the sort of church where mission is a way of life and "an evangelistic mission is likely to prove fruitful!"'.

Roger Carswell, Leeds