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World of difference

Global Mission at the pic 'n' mix counter

Mission in change

WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
Global Mission at the pic 'n' mix counter
By Richard Tiplady
Paternoster Press. 196 pages. £8.99
ISBN 1 84227 244 6

This book tackles the important subject of how we carry out mission today in the light of the changing world we live in. It is not written primarily for the individual Christian seeking how to be personally involved in the Lord's commission, but for those who are involved in the process of enabling mission: mission agencies, church leaders, etc.

Changes in society and the world around us are obvious, and this book discusses their impact on mission today. Some may try to ignore the effects of change, while others become despondent and conclude that mission in the UK is in terminal decline. The author is convinced that the latter is not the case and challenges us to face up to what is happening and think through how we can best respond.

In the three opening chapters he provides a brief review of, and a Christian response to, some key issues affecting us. Globalisation (the interdependence and intermixing of cultures in the modern world) and postmodernity (the way people behave with greater choice and a desire to tailor choices to satisfy their own personal tastes) produce the cultural diversity that we all increasingly experience.

In a chapter entitled 'Creaking at the seams', the author looks at traditional mission agencies and how they were set up, and the difficulties facing them today, and the need to change. The proposed approach is to try and utilise the advantages of diverse ways of meeting specific needs, but provide a strong network for mutual help, support and advice between them.

Richard Tiplady provides us with a well-researched book with many references throughout, both secular and Christian. He is not offering simple quick-fix solutions to problems nor is he dismissive of mission agencies; indeed he points out how some are tackling change. You may not agree with all his conclusions, and inevitably a short book cannot be comprehensive. I personally would have liked more on the two-way direction of missionary sending today and the key involvement of overseas Christians in the missionary process. There were places where I did not find illustrations particularly helpful to my understanding of the argument and, on one occasion, left me confused. However, the book is timely and should stimulate thought and discussion on how to move forward in facilitating mission in the 21st century.

Rodney Moss,
elder of Bethesda Baptist Church, Felixstowe, & member of Latin Link UK Executive