I am excited and thankful to share with you that my latest book has been released by Thomas Nelson. Kingdom Expressions: Trends Influencing the Advancement of the Gospel provides an overview of the most influential gospel advancing movements and trends in the latter 20th and early 21st centuries.
Over a year ago, Thomas Nelson approached me about writing a reference book that would address some of the new expressions found in American Evangelicalism that were not attached to a particular denomination.
While Evangelicals have experienced many changes in the last 60 years, I wanted to concentrate on the developments that grew from deep convictions regarding the missionary nature of the church. During this time, Evangelicals wrestled deeply with how to better evangelize the nations, both across the street and across the world. What started with a heightened evangelistic zeal among a few people oftentimes developed into movements to advance the gospel, with large numbers of participants and abundant resources. While many people participating in these new expressions remained loyal to their denominations, these new trends and movements were not bound to a single denomination. They often developed and matured outside of any one denominational authority.
This is a reference book. I have attempted to remain as objective as possible, without providing critique. This approach allows both history and the convictions of such movements to speak for themselves. While there are several expressions in this book in which i am in much agreement, there are others that trouble me to various degrees. My objective has been to present the facts and allow those involved in such expressions to speak for themselves.
The chapters address the following:
Cell Church Movement
Church Growth Movement
Church Planting Networks
Cowboy / Hip Hop / Biker Churches
Emerging Church Movement
House Church Movement
Lausanne Movement
Megachurch Movement
Missional Church Movement
Purpose Driven Church Movement
Seeker Movement
Short-Term Missions Movement
Spiritual Warfare Movement
Multisite Church Movement
The content of this book provides an overview of the topics examined. I include definitions, history, common convictions, and individuals who have provided representative leadership for each expression. Some of these expressions have already gone through their life cycles, with few people still talking about them. However, other expressions are just past their births and in the adolescent stages. Regardless of whether or not such expressions are considered passé or current, their influence lives on and they are worthy of being listed in such a reference book. The Church stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before us–whether we like it or not.
I hope you will get a copy of this work. It is my prayer that the Lord will use this book for the multiplication of disciples, leaders, and churches across the world for His glory.
If you would like to read a portion of the text, you may find it at Thomas Nelson’s site HERE. The Kindle version should be available very soon.
