I am featuring this post today because I am in Richmond, VA, and am about to spend an enjoyable day with Fritz Kling, author of "The Meeting of the Waters" and founder of Kling Philanthropy Group.
Original Post: Feb 2010
Fantastic book comes out in a few days called "The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents that will propel the future church". Author (and friend) Fritz Kling sent me the manuscript last year and I just LOVED the book, and found it hard to wait so long before the release date came around so that I could tell you all about it. But that time is here. The book comes out March 1st but you can order it now.
My official blurb on the book:
"Meeting of the Waters is the most significant book on international mission I have come across in a long time and one that echoes my own observations. Fritz Kling has the skinny on the movements that are impacting the changing landscape of Christian mission. This book is the result of thorough research in a broad sweep of mission situations and the results are both enlightening and challenging. I highly recommend this book for those who want to know what mission in the real world actually looks like."
If I could add to that, I would say that 2010 will be a year of reflection about global mission, its changing landscape and what that means for all of us and I dont know of any better book right now that the Meeting of the Waters. Fritz has traveled to 40 countries to interview key leaders on these changes and the book is a result of those findings. Here's a snapshot of the 7 Global Currents from the book. Click on the icons for more.
MERCYYounger people of faith around the world increasingly demonstrate their piety and their love for others by serving–by feeding the hungry, addressing AIDS, rescuing girls sold into slavery, saving the earth, etc. |
MUTUALITYWhile Americans and the West had long been the leaders of worldwide “Christendom,” now Christians from countries all around the world have the education, access, resources, and confidence to share leadership with powerful countries like the US. |
MIGRATIONPeople everywhere are on the move, to meet economic needs, flee repression or combat, seek freedom or asylum, enjoy tourism, etc. While in the past Christian missionaries reached diverse people groups by ships or planes or trains, now everywhere in the world is more diverse. |
MONOCULTUREFocusing on helping individual people in the unique cultures and countries in which they live, the Christian church has trained and sent missionaries around the world for a long time. |
MACHINESThe importance of technology is not news to anyone, but its impact on Christian communities around the world has its surprises. Studies on technology and evangelism abound, so I highlight examples of how technology is radically changing disaster relief efforts. |
MEDIATIONMany people say that the world is “flattening,” and that we’re all coming closer together. But the internet and available media are actually providing more opportunities, tools, and points for polarization and division. Who will mediate, and how? |
 MEMORYIn the shadow of so many game-changing trends, every country, region and village has its own “backstory” — those historical features, clues and codes that may be unseen but affect everything in those societies. You can click on any of those icons to see more resources, videos and blog posts. I would be happy to post them individually if readers wanted to discuss them one by one. TRIVIA: Fritz Kling and I met at Search Party, 2002, an emerging-missional church event in St Louis that was inspired by Boaz Project's "Epicenter 2001" in Austin. |
Looks really interesting, Andrew….gotta add it to my “must read” list.
J
Interesting…yes indeed! Greetings from Mexico.
Definitely adding this to the resource list for the book proposal I just sent to you. You know all the good stuff.
i want to give my 5 cents.
I. i think it was you skinny who brought the idea of the DISTANCE church verses the LOCAL church. in america, i would contend we are more distance church because of suburbia landscapes. we rely on cars to get to church that is located 20 to 45 minutes away. what is going to happen in the future when fuel will become too expense to travel to the distance church. i have heard any chatter when if this happens.
II.. i also haven’t heard any contingency plans on how the local church will deal with the future disasters especially about the end times. take example of national disasters or a future terrorist attack or martial law or anything national tragic or economic plunge..etc…point is what is the contingency plan to what a church member should do? a church should be ready.
what do u think?
i meant to edit and say…” i haven’t heard any chatter when or if this happens.”
Sounds like a sweet book – can’t wait to get hold of it and digest it.
Am also really interested in reading some African perspectives this year – if you come across any noteworthy books on your travels there, please mention them.