Overview
This new volume in the award-winning Encountering Mission series is for current and future missionaries. It provides practical guidance regarding getting ready for the mission field and the realities of life on the field. The authors are well qualified to write such a manual, each having served as a missionary for more than twenty years and each having taught missions in seminary.
The authors begin by examining the contemporary context for missions, including the recognition that the world's mission fields are in constant and often rapid change. They then discuss aspects of preparing oneself for the mission field, beginning with home-front preparations and moving to on-the-field preparations. The final section deals with practical issues and challenges of missionary life.
The authors begin by examining the contemporary context for missions, including the recognition that the world's mission fields are in constant and often rapid change. They then discuss aspects of preparing oneself for the mission field, beginning with home-front preparations and moving to on-the-field preparations. The final section deals with practical issues and challenges of missionary life.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: The Changing Scene
1. Remember the Past
2. Understanding Key Ideas and Terms
Part 2: Home-Front Preparations
3. Decision Making and the Will of God
4. Spiritual Formation
5. Personal Readiness
6. Ministry Readiness
7. Avenues to Cross-Cultural Ministries
8. Finding Your Niche
9. Getting Going
Part 3: On-Field Preparations
10. What Is Culture?
11. At Home in the Culture
12. Culture and Language Acquisition
Part 4: Missionaries and Their Lives
13. Women in Missions
14. Missionary Families
15. Crises in Missions
16. Reentry
17. What's Next?
Appendix
Introduction
Part 1: The Changing Scene
1. Remember the Past
2. Understanding Key Ideas and Terms
Part 2: Home-Front Preparations
3. Decision Making and the Will of God
4. Spiritual Formation
5. Personal Readiness
6. Ministry Readiness
7. Avenues to Cross-Cultural Ministries
8. Finding Your Niche
9. Getting Going
Part 3: On-Field Preparations
10. What Is Culture?
11. At Home in the Culture
12. Culture and Language Acquisition
Part 4: Missionaries and Their Lives
13. Women in Missions
14. Missionary Families
15. Crises in Missions
16. Reentry
17. What's Next?
Appendix
Authors
Tom Steffen
Tom Steffen (DMiss, Biola University) is professor of intercultural studies at Biola University and director of the doctor of missiology program. He served as a missionary for twenty years in Southeast Asia.
Lois McKinney Douglas
Lois McKinney Douglas (PhD, Michigan State University) is professor emerita of mission at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She served as a missionary for twenty-three years with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society.