Seventy-one years ago today, Anglican priest and missionary, Roland Allen passed away. He authored numerous articles and books including, Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours? and The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church and the Causes which Hinder It. He lived through the Boxer Uprising in China at the turn of the twentieth century, served churches in England and Africa, and was buried in Nairobi, Kenya.
I have written extensively about Allen on this blog. So, I’m going to point you to those pages for more information on this highly influential man.
Through June 10, my book Roland Allen: Pioneer of Spontaneous Expansion is on sale for $0.99 at the Kindle store. If you are looking for a brief biography and missiology on Allen, here is where you should start.
Last year, I had the honor of editing Roland Allen’s The Ministry of Expansion: The Priesthood of the Laity. This book includes an 80 year old manuscript that was Allen’s last book-length work. The manuscript sat for decades in the Oxford library until we published it last fall with William Carey Library.
Yesterday was Roland Allen Day. Yes, it is a day on the Episcopal calendar.
Here are two Strike the Match podcasts on Allen:
Roland Allen: Life and Journey, Part 1
Roland Allen: Missiology, Part 2
If you are not familiar with Allen or his work, today is a good day to begin developing your understanding. If you are a long-time student of Allen, today is a good day to remember what the Lord did through the man who continues to influence the Church.