Dr. David J. Hesselgrave is retired as professor of mission and manager of the School of World Mission at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is a past president of the Evangelical Missiological Society and is writer of Theology and Mission and Dynamic Religious Movements. ( Backcover ) From the University of Minnesota. he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in rhetoric and public reference with an accent in cross-cultural communicating. [ 1 ] He besides has a Maestro of Humanistic disciplines in address and the Bachelor of Arts in doctrine every bit good as his sheepskin from Trinity Theological Seminary. [ 2 ] He has legion articles. books and multimedia presentations. [ 3 ] Just to call a few. His books include Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally ( Zondervan 1978 ) ; Contextualization-Meanings. Methods. and Models ( with Edwards Rommen. Baker 1989 ) . [ 4 ] Content Summary
It is clear that Dr. Hesselgrave chief aim was to show Apostle Paul’s model church-planting rhythm ( pg. 47 ) which is a ten-step procedure that began and ended with the commissioning of missionaries ( pg. 50 ) Dr. Hesselgrave wants the reader to understand that in order to be hold an influential missionizing and evangelizing. the key is to do painstaking determinations along with being prayerful in your programs and schemes. ( pg. 50 ) Paul tells us that we are non to travel frontward with any type of program until we have sought counsel from the Holy Spirit ( pg. 44 ) in order to works churches is three generalised countries: within common civilizations of North America ( ME-1 [ pg. 28 ] ) . within cross-cultural countries in North America ( ME-2 [ pg. 28 ] ) and within cross-cultural countries throughout the universe ( ME-3 [ pg. 29 ] ) .
In the authorship of his book. Dr. Hesselgrave breaks it down into five parts: Part 1-the Christian and the Christian Mission ; Part 2-the Christian Leader and the Christian Mission ; Part 3-the Sending Church and the Christian Mission ; Part-4 the Emergning Church and the Chrisian Mission ; and Part 5-the Sending Church and the Christian Mission ( Continued ) . With the aid of the Paul’s scheme and methodological analysis. Dr. Hesselgrave topographic points in gesture the 10 stairss of Paul’s church-planting ministries which are: Missionaries Commissioned. Audience contacted. Gospel Communicated. Hearers Converted. Believers Congregated. Fatih Confirmed. Leadership Consecrated. Believers Commended. Relationships Continued. and Sending Churches Convened. ( pp. 47-48 )
What Dr. Hesselgrave wants the reader to understand is that within this rhythm. it begins with missionaries commissioned and ends with directing churches convened. and with this in head. he wants to relay to the reader that there is merely one mark church ( pg. 50 ) . Although the mark church may hold arrived at measure nine. it is compulsory that measure ten ( directing churches convened ) ties in with the first measure ( missionaries commissioned ) and the procedure begins once more. Not merely is this 10 measure procedure indispensable for the freshly planted churches. but it can be a cardinal plus for those presently in being. It will demo where the seasoned church where they are now and where they need aid in countries that are soon non working.
As the reader peruses through Dr. Hesselgrave’s book. he expounds upon each of the 10 stairss of the Pauline Cycle. from chapter 8 to chapter 17. He remains committed to sharing the information and the aims of each with practicial applications. Witin each of the applicatory subdivisions. he present descriptive information by utilizing three minor subdivisions: Blibical rules and case in points ( pg. 36 ) . relevant research ( pg. 39 ) . and practical contemplation ( pg. 40 ) . With the presented information included in his book. he concludes with a subdivision where he inside informations how these unambiguous entries can be formulated into a chief program for the on-going church works.
EvaluationDr. Hesselgrave’s book is a entire success in the facet that he set out to utilize Paul’s scheme and its efficiency for those who desire to be church plantation owners specifically in cross-cultural environments today ; Paul was chosen by Christ to make the Gentiles ( pg. 284 ) ; and that Paul’s main intent was to prophesy the Gospel and set up churches ( pg. 24 ) . This book is a success besides because it maintained the subject of the Pauline Cycle throughout by including foundation-laying stuff and expounds upon that the aforesaid foundation with item analysis of each of the 10 provinces within the Cycle.
As with many books that have been written. they incorporate information that is non necessary. He stays faithful throughout the book. His technique provides for the reader a clear and organized through procedure as they read through the stuff and get down the procedure for their ain church workss.
Dr. Hesselgrave presumes that the primary mission for churches is to distribute the Gospel to pull others to the religion and be effectual in service ( pg. 17 ) . It is necessary that the primary desire of all Christians. male and female alike. is to idolize God in spirit and in truth and to give glorification to Him and Him entirely.
He refers to the church as a storm centre of modern-day society ( pg. 17 ) . God’s desire is for the church to growing and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to pull trusters into the local church ( pg. 17 ) . Without new churches being planted. there are less new trusters being added. When new trusters are added. so they are taught how to travel out and add new trusters which promote the Great Commission which was commanded by the risen Christ ( pg. 19 ) In chapter 14. the Leaders Consecrated. provides a clear description of who a true leader should be. It is agreed that no church. concern. etc. can ne’er be stronger than its leaders. He portions the differences between a natural leader and a religious leader.
A natural leader is self-assured and religious leader is confident in God ; natural leader do his or her ain determinations while a religious leader seeks to happen God’s will ; natural leaders enjoys commanding others where religious leadersdelights to obey God ; natural leaders are independent and religious leaders are God-dependent ( pg. 260 ) . He besides portions with the reader that religious leaders give authorization. but besides are capable to authtority. and he or she must understand their degree of authorization ( pg. 258 ) . In order to be a successful leader of the local church. they must be found and established. In order for development of the leader can take topographic point. a maestro program which includes a three measure procedure has to be established: let them to learn and prophesy to solidify between the features of natural and religious leading ; and supply duties and ample preparation for those are established leaders and good as the up and coming leaders ( pg. 276 ) . If the leaders are non trained and developed. the church planted is doomed to win.
Planting Churches Cross-Culturally is a utile tool for all in ministry and those draw a bead oning to increase their cognition in church planting. It portions with the reader the importance of holding cardinal constituents in topographic point such as great leading. holding a bosom for missions. choosing the country for the works. holding religion. and how to pull followings every bit good as maintain them. The Pauline Cycle incorporates God in every portion. and this in bend makes the success of the church works and development ( pg. 221 ) .
Dr. Hasselgrave assures the reader that rules implemented by the Apostle Paul are still prevailing today. and that today’s missionaries will greatly appreciate following them. These rules will ne’er be out of day of the month because they are guided by God.
