Today’s ALL-STAR Missions Churches: Strategies to Help Your church Get Into the Game

By Tom Telford with Lois Shaw
Baker Books (Grand Rapids, MI); 2001
ISBN 0-8010-6381-7
$10.99 û Paperback û 173 pages

“What are the best missions churches in America? Why are their missions programs so effective? How can your church learn from them?” Telford, a former umpire, uses baseball analogies to answer these questions. He studied thousands of churches to compile a list that he believes are the top 25 U.S. ones in mission activities and support and found several common characteristics.

Missions are infused throughout the entire church program — not just assigned to one department or committee. The pastor, and all the staff and other leaders, are enthused and personally involved in missions. Most “all star” churches try to get as many people as possible involved in short-term trips, and they emphasize preparation, support, and follow up activities as much as what happens on the field. Great reading!