Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations

Product Description

Discover Your Place in the Movement of God 

An incredible breakthrough in missions history is taking place as disciples of Jesus make more disciples of Jesus around the globe, particularly among the least-reached. But what exactly are these church planting or disciple making movements? Where are they occurring and what are their unifying features? How are they manifesting in diverse populations? And can you or your organization be instrumental in catalyzing more movements? Motus Dei, Latin for “movement of God,” seeks to answer these questions and more.  

Warrick Farah has expertly synthesized an extensive conversation between mission practitioners, scholars, and seasoned movement leaders from around the world. The resulting in-depth analysis of movements provides a multi-disciplinary academic investigation of an emerging “movements missiology,” highlighting the importance of theology, social sciences, ethnology and anthropology, communications theory, leadership theory, and statistical analysis. Motus Dei locates the current Church Planting Movement (CPM) phenomenon within modern history, while tracing its roots back to the first century, and articulates a missiological description of the dynamics of Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) in Asia, Africa, and diaspora contexts in the Global North.  

Offering over thirty first-hand accounts of indigenous churches planting churches among the nations, Motus Dei provides a seedbed for growing movements in diverse contexts. There are lessons to be learned here by anyone seeking to participate in the movement of God. 

Review

God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who “blows where he wills,” or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, “What is actually going on here?” This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God’s transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. 
Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE 
executive director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies 
  
There are more than three hundred thousand churches in the United States; that is twenty-three churches for every Starbucks. With so many good churches, most American pastors have never seen a movement of thousands of non-Christians becoming Christians. I wonder if that is why some church leaders have spoken out against movements. I listened as one critic referred to movements as “diabolical.” He should not have said that. I forgave him. Another referred to the work of some missionaries as “gimmicks.” I forgave him as well.  
But in non-Christian countries, we are praying for movements. Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great “apostle to Islam,” who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer’s prayer was Luke 5:5-“Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again.” By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. Let’s keep praying to the Lord of the harvest. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. 
Robert A. Blincoe, PhD  
president emeritus, Frontiers US 
  
As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited