Mere Missions

P reface • 17

his preface, Lewis defines ‘mere’ Christianity as consisting of those beliefs that have been “common to all Christians at all times.” Adopting that vein of thought, Mere Missions: Moving Forward to Multiply consists of those principles that are common, prevalent, to missions at all times. C. S. Lewis probably had his detractors to Mere Christianity . I do not put myself on the level of C. S. Lewis so I’m sure there will be those who will disparage, and challenge Mere Missions . I’m okay with that. I welcome conversation, not condemnation. I aptly cling to the words of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139.23-24). C. S. Lewis, in dealing with the subject matter of Mere Christianity , said in his preface, “I am only a layman, and at this point we are getting into deep water. I can only tell you, for what it is worth, how I, personally, look at the matter.” I, too, am only a layman. I am not a missiologist. I have no higher education degrees. Like Lewis, I can only tell, you, for what it is worth, how I, personally, look at the matter of missions and the Church. As J. Herbert Kane said, “When the Church has been true to her own genius, she has always been a witnessing community. When she has lost her missionary vision, she has turned inward and gone into decline. But whenever she has experienced revival, she has always resumed her essential task – world missions.” There is nothing new under the sun (Eccles. 1.9). Eric Hoffer in his book, The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements , said it like this, “The great Christian revolutions come not by the discovery of something that was not known before. They happen when someone takes radically something that was already there.” This book is a reminder, a renewal back to old foundations that are timeless and cross into all cultures. This book on missions is not a fire hydrant in which you will be overwhelmed by its volume and force. It is a faucet. My prayer is that as you turn on the faucet you might be able to fill your cup to drink and be