BOOK NOTES

Gary V. Nelson et al, Going Global: A Congregation’s Introduction to Mission Beyond our Borders, Chalice Press, 2011

The explosive growth in communication technology has placed

North American churches ever closer to accessing a truly global fellowship of believers. This globalization has positioned even the most modest missional church nearer to acquiring missionary experiences for its members. Responding to this desire for local churches to experience global mission, various Canadian and United States church groups have promulgated standards for short term mission programs, but without the full theological explanation. This explanation was provided by Canadians Gary Nelson, Gordon King and Terry Smith. In Going Global: A Congregation’s Introduction to Mission

Beyond our Borders, the three authors explore the typical pitfalls churches face when entering the global ministry arena without sound theological and cultural preparations. Their experiences in these matters range from missionary, church planter, fund-raiser, professor, refugee board member, to urban pastor. It is no longer enough to respond emotionally to dramatic need,

believing it is better to do something than nothing, the authors warn. It is not only possible but likely to do all the wrong things for the right reasons and therefore produce the opposite result of what church leaders intend. Churches in North America should recognize that those on

the receiving end of mission efforts form a critical but typically missing piece in preparation, planning, execution, and evaluation of a mission program’s success. Common principles and practices are suggested to ensure churches design mission experiences as

Books Received by the BWA

Brian C. Brewer, Editor, Distinctly Baptist: Proclaiming Identity in a New Generation, Judson Press, 2011

CIRCULATION STATEMENT

Statement required by the act of August 12, 1970, section 3685, Title 39, United States Code, showing ownership, management and circulation of BAPTIST WORLD. Published four times per year at 405 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Virginia 22046; the Publisher is Baptist World Alliance; the Editor is Eron Henry. There are no bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities. Baptist World Alliance is a nonprofit organization located at the above address. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months.

15. Extent and nature of circulation a. Total No. Copies

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

4,300

b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1. Sales through dealers and carriers -- 2. Requested/Mail Subscription

3,726

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 3,726 d. Free (unsolicited) Distribution by Mail 40 e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 536 g. Total Distribution

4,222

William L. Lumpkin, Bill Leonard, Editor, Baptist

Confessions of Faith, Second Revised Edition, Judson Press, 2011 30 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE

h.1. Copies Not Distributed: Office use, leftover, spoiled

i. TOTAL

Percentage Paid and/or Requested Circulation

38

4,300 86.7%

4,400 --

3,791 3,791 40

524 4,325 35

4,400 86.2%

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete

Eron Henry, Editor a two-way where those

street, going

and those hosting share as equal partners and as co-workers in mission. Missional

are churches to be aware of dispar-

ity in wealth among various populations:

“. . . More than

a billion people think nothing of spending $1.50 for a cup of cof- fee, while the bottom billion would like to see their income rise to $1.50 a day.” The disparity, the authors said,

does not automatically

mean that required expertise exists among those with wealth. “The center of Christianity has moved to the Southern” part of

the world, the authors remind us. Latin America, Africa, and Asia are experiencing tremendous growth in Christian life, while the Northern hemisphere experiences measurable decline. When this awareness informs the choices made regarding mission efforts, the authors believe it will have an appropriate impact on how North Americans shape their interactions with the rest of the world, and lead to true partnership in transformational mission programs. “Certainly in any partnership, one should ask, ‘How have we been changed as a result of our relationship with each other?’”

BW

Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date