Smither, Edward L., and Jessica A. Udall, eds., Mission in Praise, Word, and Deed: Reflections on the Past and Future of Global Mission. Nashville, TN: William Carey Publishing, 2023. 230 pp. Paperback, $19.99.
As I read through Smither and Udall’s book, I was struck by the sheer variety of ways that God’s people are at work in our world today. Arising out of a 2022 missions conference at Columbia International University, this edited volume is a compendium of current mission practices and emerging mission concerns. Although most of the authors are seasoned missiologists, the book’s strength lies not in a lofty goal to set forth an integrated theory but in hearing a diversity of voices of long-term practitioners. This book gives us a slice of what the global church looks like on mission, from Chinese house churches to refugee missions in the Middle East to ministry in public universities.
The editors divide the book into three themes expressed in its title: Praise, Word, and Deed. In the “Mission in Praise” unit, Robin Harris sets the tone for the entire missions enterprise, the worship of God in the global church. She focuses on the value of ethno-doxology, what she calls a “Find It, Encourage It model of arts engagement” (8). In this model, understanding the arts is crucial to finding local ways of expression in public worship. It becomes a powerful witness to Christianity not being perceived as a Western, imported religion.
The second unit, “Mission in Word,” consists of two parts, “Evangelism” and “Discipleship & Training.” Reading through the book one section at a time, I was initially surprised at the hodgepodge placement of having one author writing “how to share the gospel using one verse” (Bill Jones) and the next chapter being a thorough exploration of evangelism in a secular world (Raphael Anzenberger). Such placement of the chapters at times seems arbitrary, an all-too-common problem for edited conference books. Looked at in another light, it helpfully reflects the variety of missions approaches. Anzenberger’s excellent chapter on evangelism to secular people concludes with an examination of the faith journey of secular individuals, the five-fold thresholds that need to be crossed, “trust, curiosity, openness, seeking, and following” (50).
“Mission in Deed,” the book’s third section, sets forth some best practices in missions, from long-term medical missions to short-term medical missions to refugee ministry. The unit begins with a moving personal story from Bekele Shanko, who tells about the transformative power of the gospel. Coming from an impoverished area in south-central Ethiopia, his father was a shamanic priest, and their family was “living a hopeless life, in deep darkness, and in a shadow of death” (106). Through a dream and the visit of some new Christians in another village, his father accepted Christ, transforming the lives of the whole family. While Shanko continues by exploring some of the dimensions of transformative mission, the power of this chapter lies in his reminder of the difference the Christian story makes in all our lives.
The final unit focuses on the practices of the global mission enterprise, combining all three themes, “The People of Praise, Word, and Deed in Mission.” The unit includes such topics as the influence of Chinese house churches, how sub-Saharans go on mission, and lessons learned on multicultural teams. A key concluding chapter is Ken Katayama’s “Majority World Partnerships in Mission.” Katayama argues that while partnerships can be grueling, these relationships can flourish by following three main principles– relationship-based, vision-focused (not activity-focused), and values-driven (rather than strategic-driven)– along with the critical “art of coordination” (179-183).
If I were to make a minor criticism of the book, frustratingly, there was no biographical context given for the contributor at the beginning of each chapter; the reader must search the index for each author’s biographical and geographical information.
This book would be helpful to anyone looking for a general resource on contemporary missions practice. Along with best practices, it highlights critical concerns in missions, such as emerging trauma among people groups, informal theological education, and majority world partnerships. In sum, through Mission in Praise, Word, and Deed, Smithers and Udall give voice to a diversity of partners speaking from a multiplicity of centers of influence throughout the world who are creatively engaged in the Missio Dei.
Janine Paden Morgan
Adjunct Professor of Missions
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX, USA
