Apostolic Imagination - by J D Payne (Paperback)

About the Book

A leading expert in the field of Christian missions encourages the church to recover the apostolic imagination that fueled the multiplication of disciples in the first century.

Book Synopsis

The Gospel Coalition 2022 Award of Distinction (Missions & The Global Church)

A leading expert in the field of Christian missions encourages the church to recover the apostolic imagination that fueled the multiplication of disciples in the first century. J. D. Payne examines the contemporary practice of Western missions and advocates a more central place for Scripture in defining missionary language, identity, purpose, function, and strategy. He shows that an apostolic understanding of the church's disciple-making commission requires rethinking every aspect of missionary engagement. The book includes end-of-chapter discussion questions and action steps to help pastors and church leaders develop an apostolic imagination.

From the Back Cover

Reimagining Missionary Language, Identity, Purpose, Function, and Strategy

J. D. Payne encourages the church to recover the apostolic imagination that fueled the multiplication of disciples in the first century.

"Does the mission of the church entail simply doing any good work in the world, or should the mission of the church have a sharper focus? Payne adds an important voice to this conversation, arguing for the priority of discipling the nations in our understanding and practice of Christian mission."
--Craig Ott, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; author of The Church on Mission

"One of the greatest needs for the church today is to cultivate an apostolic imagination that is biblically grounded, grace filled, contextually sensitive, and committed to global disciple making. As you read this book, you will be inspired to reimagine what it looks like to join in God's mission to make and multiply disciples in today's multicultural world."
--Winfield Bevins, Asbury Theological Seminary; author of Ever Ancient, Ever New

"I can't emphasize enough how important this book is for advancing our understanding of the apostolic person and function in the church and in Christian organizations. Payne has now brought his substantial scholarship to bear on this timely topic. I for one am deeply grateful."
--Alan Hirsch, founder of Forge Missional Training Network, the Movement Leaders Collective, and the 5Q Collective; author of The Forgotten Ways

"Payne is an excellent researcher and writer who identifies strategic issues that influence how the established church reaches out to the world. He takes on one of the most critical and foundational issues related to missions and to the health of the American church today. I recommend this book to ministry students who want to understand the contemporary mission challenge, to pastors who desire to lead their churches to engage the nations, to missionaries who are striving to be effective, and to anyone who wants to impact the nations for Christ."
--Don Dent, Gateway Seminary; author of The Ongoing Role of Apostles in Missions

About the Author

J. D. Payne (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of Christian ministry at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He has published thirteen books in the area of mission and evangelism and pastored churches for nineteen years. Payne hosts the Strike the Match podcast and writes frequently at www.jdpayne.org.