“Insightful & Inspiring!”
From sweeping panoramas of international missions to practical advice for serving our local communities, Send is an inspiring and insightful introduction to church planting.
While its focus on church planting might cause some readers to decide Send is not for them, Essian points out that planting demands whole-church involvement even from its earliest stages. It requires the participation and gifts of the whole body of believers. Some leaders are specifically called to be boots-on-the-ground planters, but church plants also depend upon the generous support of core members, givers, and volunteers.
“First, your neighbor to the right of you, as well as the one to your left, is not there by accident. God has orchestrated 10,000 things for them to be there, ‘that they should seek God’ (v 27). Second, where you are and when you are there is also purposed by God. Thus, in fact, you are sent wherever you are.” (Essian, Send, p. 74).
Send is concise and accessible. Essian drives home deep truths with a relatable tone and memorable illustrations.
This book is structured simply, moving from the cosmic scope of God’s mission in the world to a focused consideration of how our individual churches and gifts fit into this mission. It is helpful reading for any ministry leaders or active laypeople, whether or not they are actively involved in church planting at the moment.
Send proved especially timely reading for me since my home church (where my husband is a pastor) is experiencing its own “superbloom.” We are growing, and it is astonishing and humbling to see the Spirit at work in our community. People are hearing the gospel. People are digging into the Word. People are asking the question their leaders love to hear: “How can I serve?”
One the whole, Send is a memorable and motivating little book. If you or your church are involved in church planting (or may be in the future), this is an excellent resource to add to your library.
