[featured_image]The best book I read in 2006 was The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson. They emphasize the point that Christians ought to engage their communities “with truth and grace, good news and good deeds.”
I’ve bought this book for several church planters and recommended it to so many others because I believe it helps Christians to identify the needs of their communities and start ministries to meet those needs.
Consider this… “The early church grew because its people loved and served….As we have entered into the life of the city through service, we have had the opportunity to engage with people from whom we normally would be isolated. We are seeing relationships formed and people taking steps toward God and his church as never before. Good deeds form a great bridge over which the good news can travel.”
If you haven’t read their book – I highly recommend it. You might also want to check out their most recent book – The Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church for the Community (released in April this year).
(You can read my Amazon.com review of The Externally Focused Church here – click yes if you like it.)
Today’s Missional Challenge
Love and serve someone this week that doesn’t know Jesus.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
