Overview

Discover Your Place in the Movement of God An incredible breakthrough in missions history is taking place as disciples of Jesus make more disciples of Jesus around the globe, particularly among the least-reached. But what exactly are these church planting or disciple making movements? Where are they occurring and what are their unifying features? How are they manifesting in diverse populations? And can you or your organization be instrumental in catalyzing more movements? Motus Dei, Latin for ""movement of God,"" seeks to answer these questions and more. Warrick Farah has expertly synthesized an extensive conversation between mission practitioners, scholars, and seasoned movement leaders from around the world. The resulting in-depth analysis of movements provides a multi-disciplinary, academic investigation of an emerging ""movements missiology,"" highlighting the importance of theology, social sciences, ethnology and anthropology, communications theory, leadership theory, and statistical analysis. Motus Dei locates the current Church Planting Movement (CPM) phenomenon within modern history, while tracing its roots back to the first century, and articulates a missiological description of the dynamics of Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) in Asia, Africa, and diaspora contexts in the Global North. Offering over thirty firsthand accounts of indigenous churches planting churches among the nations, Motus Dei provides a seedbed for growing movements in diverse contexts. There are lessons to be learned here by anyone seeking to participate in the movement of God.

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Reviews

I have been writing and teaching on the subject of movements since 2001. People have often asked for more information about such works of the Spirit. Though I have been able to refer to a few sources here and there, I never found a satisfying comprehensive volume. Motus Dei is the compendium of contemporary research and wisdom for which we have been waiting! This groundbreaking book provides a breath of fresh air, answers many questions, and greatly advances the conversation regarding this flourishing field of study. J. D. Payne, PhD Professor of Christian Ministry, Samford University Author of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers Any phenomenal movement of God that emerges with force and scale will attract both interest and critique. This volume is a comprehensive and reasoned response from a sterling collection of scholar-practitioners. Together they establish not only the plausibility of these ecclesial movements on the edges of God's kingdom, but help the reader envision how a fresh movement can arise in their own neighborhood, city, or people. -Brad Gill Editor, International Journal of Frontier Missiology As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited for this volume, which brings together theologians, historians, missiologists, and practitioners around the important topic of the movement of God. -Rev. Dave C. Global Pastor, Park Community Church, Chicago, IL As one who has spent decades in the worlds of both higher education and church planting, I highly recommend Motus Dei. It is well-researched, very informative, and extremely practical. Motus Dei would serve well as either a classroom text or a field handbook--a one-stop-shop resource on church planting movements. -Bill Jones, DMin Cofounder, Crossover Global; chancellor, Columbia International University Clarity, information, and encouragement. This collection on kingdom movements provides all three. The international contributors exhibit extensive ministry experience and keen scholarly expertise. The wide-ranging topics--biblical-historical, missional-theological, analytical, practical--are addressed with substance. Perhaps best of all is the winsome approach that acknowledges missiological tensions and questions, all the while affirming the contemporary surge of peoples to follow Jesus. Many thanks to the Motus Dei Network for this timely and constructive publication. -Rev. J. Nelson Jennings, PhD Mission Pastor, Consultant, and International Liaison, Onnuri Church; Editor, Global Missiology God is moving in unprecedented ways! Kingdom movements have happened throughout history, but in the last thirty years God has started more than 1,400 movements with more than eighty million disciples in many unreached peoples and places. Motus Dei is an invaluable effort to evaluate and learn what God is doing in movements for the benefit of both the broader Christian world and movement leaders. ""See, I am doing a new thing! ... do you not perceive it?"" (Isaiah 43:19). -Stan Parks, PhD Cofacilitator of the 24:14 Global Coalition; VP of Global Strategies, Beyond coeditor of 24:14 - A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who ""blows where he wills,"" or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, ""What is actually going on here?"" This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God's transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. -Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE Executive Director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies I highly recommend this book. Motus Dei captures all the very best and most current research on Disciple Making Movements. It looks back at the historic development of the field, and then forward, anticipating what is to come. As an edited volume, Motus Dei brings together premier scholars to offer a biblically astute, theologically robust, and culturally sophisticated analysis of Disciple Making Movements. It would be the ""go-to"" book for me on this subject. -Gregg A. Okesson, PhD Interim Provost and VP for academic affairs, Asbury Theological Seminary; author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World If ever there was an anthology whose ""time has come,"" it is this compilation of reflections from leaders involved with movements of people to Christ from other religious backgrounds. The verifiable fact of large kingdom movements in the majority world needs to be taken seriously and celebrated. This volume sets the stage for their voices to emerge as part of Christ's global church and their indigenous experience of God in Christ to teach us all. -Jay Matenga, DIS Director of Global Witness, World Evangelical Alliance; executive director, WEA Mission Commission In 1974, Ralph Winter's ""hidden peoples"" shook the mission world. Over the next three decades, ""harvest field"" research propelled missiology as a theological discipline. The corresponding, late-twentieth-century global advance is undeniable. In 2004, David Garrison's ""ten universal elements"" were equally seismic. Two decades into the twenty-first century, we are again witnessing the maturation of missiology relative to ""harvest force"" research. Motus Dei pushes our observations of multiplying movements from adolescence into adulthood as a discipline. The corresponding global advance is as yet unfolding. -Nathan Shank, PhD candidate Affinity Global Strategist--South Asian peoples, International Mission Board Issues surrounding movements have risen to the forefront of missiology, creating a need for a more robust theology of movements. Motus Dei is a window into the dynamic discussion that is reshaping how the global church is fulfilling the Great Commission. If there was any one book that provides the clearest snapshot of the current ""state of movement missiology,"" this is it. -Ted Esler, PhD President, Missio Nexus Motus Dei is a breath of fresh air for the mission world, bringing much-needed empirical work to the phenomena of movements, where churches are planting churches. With baseline definitional work, missional theology, the exploration of movement dynamics, and case studies all in one volume, this book and the promise of ongoing research in future volumes is the place to go to better understand movements in order to wisely participate in what the Spirit is doing around the world. -Alan Johnson, PhD Associate Professor of Anthropology, Assembliesd of God Theological Seminary Coeditor of Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration Motus Dei is the first report of a learning community of mission leaders and scholars in dialogue about how the Spirit of God has moved among them, creating households of faith, new generations of disciples, the multiplication of churches and seekers around the world. The goal of this community is to continue these conversations and to invite others participating with God in movements to join them. This book is an exceptional introduction. -Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD Provost Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, senior professor of Anthropology; coauthor of Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision: Training Leaders for a Church-Planting Movement Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great ""apostle to Islam,"" who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer's prayer was Luke 5:5--""Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again."" By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. -Robert A. Blincoe, PhD President Emeritus, Frontiers US Much missiological energy has been spent to explore Christ-centered movements of the past: the early Wesleyans of Britain and the US, Dalit groups in southern India, and peoples of the mountains of the India-Myanmar border to name a few. Can such movements occur today? Do they occur today? Building on the 2020 Motus Dei consultation, Warrick Farah and team offer a significant collection exploring the reality of current Christ-centered movements. Their documentation, explanation, analysis, and reflection, seasoned by some contributors with needed critique, help us take vital steps forward in our understanding. I warmly commend this important compendium. -David Greenlee, PhD Author and Missiologist, Operation Mobilization One third of the world's population does not have access to the gospel! One. Third. There is only one way so many will ever be reached, and that is through God-centered movements. This book contains all the information one needs to become versed in the importance and dynamics of contemporary movements. Comprised of writings by some of the most knowledgeable on the topic, the book is not only informative but also instructive, with helpful illustrative case studies. As Alan Hirsch notes in the afterword, Motus Dei is ""packed full of movemental wisdom"" that is so needful in understanding what it takes to reach the unreached today. -Marvin J. Newell, DMiss Executive Director, Alliance for the Unreached / A Third of Us

"I have been writing and teaching on the subject of movements since 2001. People have often asked for more information about such works of the Spirit. Though I have been able to refer to a few sources here and there, I never found a satisfying comprehensive volume. Motus Dei is the compendium of contemporary research and wisdom for which we have been waiting! This groundbreaking book provides a breath of fresh air, answers many questions, and greatly advances the conversation regarding this flourishing field of study. J. D. Payne, PhD Professor of Christian Ministry, Samford University Author of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers Any phenomenal movement of God that emerges with force and scale will attract both interest and critique. This volume is a comprehensive and reasoned response from a sterling collection of scholar-practitioners. Together they establish not only the plausibility of these ecclesial movements on the edges of God's kingdom, but help the reader envision how a fresh movement can arise in their own neighborhood, city, or people. -Brad Gill Editor, International Journal of Frontier Missiology As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited for this volume, which brings together theologians, historians, missiologists, and practitioners around the important topic of the movement of God. -Rev. Dave C. Global Pastor, Park Community Church, Chicago, IL As one who has spent decades in the worlds of both higher education and church planting, I highly recommend Motus Dei. It is well-researched, very informative, and extremely practical. Motus Dei would serve well as either a classroom text or a field handbook--a one-stop-shop resource on church planting movements. -Bill Jones, DMin Cofounder, Crossover Global; chancellor, Columbia International University Clarity, information, and encouragement. This collection on kingdom movements provides all three. The international contributors exhibit extensive ministry experience and keen scholarly expertise. The wide-ranging topics--biblical-historical, missional-theological, analytical, practical--are addressed with substance. Perhaps best of all is the winsome approach that acknowledges missiological tensions and questions, all the while affirming the contemporary surge of peoples to follow Jesus. Many thanks to the Motus Dei Network for this timely and constructive publication. -Rev. J. Nelson Jennings, PhD Mission Pastor, Consultant, and International Liaison, Onnuri Church; Editor, Global Missiology God is moving in unprecedented ways! Kingdom movements have happened throughout history, but in the last thirty years God has started more than 1,400 movements with more than eighty million disciples in many unreached peoples and places. Motus Dei is an invaluable effort to evaluate and learn what God is doing in movements for the benefit of both the broader Christian world and movement leaders. ""See, I am doing a new thing! ... do you not perceive it?"" (Isaiah 43:19). -Stan Parks, PhD Cofacilitator of the 24:14 Global Coalition; VP of Global Strategies, Beyond coeditor of 24:14 - A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who ""blows where he wills,"" or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, ""What is actually going on here?"" This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God's transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. -Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE Executive Director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies I highly recommend this book. Motus Dei captures all the very best and most current research on Disciple Making Movements. It looks back at the historic development of the field, and then forward, anticipating what is to come. As an edited volume, Motus Dei brings together premier scholars to offer a biblically astute, theologically robust, and culturally sophisticated analysis of Disciple Making Movements. It would be the ""go-to"" book for me on this subject. -Gregg A. Okesson, PhD Interim Provost and VP for academic affairs, Asbury Theological Seminary; author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World If ever there was an anthology whose ""time has come,"" it is this compilation of reflections from leaders involved with movements of people to Christ from other religious backgrounds. The verifiable fact of large kingdom movements in the majority world needs to be taken seriously and celebrated. This volume sets the stage for their voices to emerge as part of Christ's global church and their indigenous experience of God in Christ to teach us all. -Jay Matenga, DIS Director of Global Witness, World Evangelical Alliance; executive director, WEA Mission Commission In 1974, Ralph Winter's ""hidden peoples"" shook the mission world. Over the next three decades, ""harvest field"" research propelled missiology as a theological discipline. The corresponding, late-twentieth-century global advance is undeniable. In 2004, David Garrison's ""ten universal elements"" were equally seismic. Two decades into the twenty-first century, we are again witnessing the maturation of missiology relative to ""harvest force"" research. Motus Dei pushes our observations of multiplying movements from adolescence into adulthood as a discipline. The corresponding global advance is as yet unfolding. -Nathan Shank, PhD candidate Affinity Global Strategist--South Asian peoples, International Mission Board Issues surrounding movements have risen to the forefront of missiology, creating a need for a more robust theology of movements. Motus Dei is a window into the dynamic discussion that is reshaping how the global church is fulfilling the Great Commission. If there was any one book that provides the clearest snapshot of the current ""state of movement missiology,"" this is it. -Ted Esler, PhD President, Missio Nexus Motus Dei is a breath of fresh air for the mission world, bringing much-needed empirical work to the phenomena of movements, where churches are planting churches. With baseline definitional work, missional theology, the exploration of movement dynamics, and case studies all in one volume, this book and the promise of ongoing research in future volumes is the place to go to better understand movements in order to wisely participate in what the Spirit is doing around the world. -Alan Johnson, PhD Associate Professor of Anthropology, Assembliesd of God Theological Seminary Coeditor of Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration Motus Dei is the first report of a learning community of mission leaders and scholars in dialogue about how the Spirit of God has moved among them, creating households of faith, new generations of disciples, the multiplication of churches and seekers around the world. The goal of this community is to continue these conversations and to invite others participating with God in movements to join them. This book is an exceptional introduction. -Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD Provost Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, senior professor of Anthropology; coauthor of Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision: Training Leaders for a Church-Planting Movement Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great ""apostle to Islam,"" who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer's prayer was Luke 5:5--""Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again."" By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. -Robert A. Blincoe, PhD President Emeritus, Frontiers US Much missiological energy has been spent to explore Christ-centered movements of the past: the early Wesleyans of Britain and the US, Dalit groups in southern India, and peoples of the mountains of the India-Myanmar border to name a few. Can such movements occur today? Do they occur today? Building on the 2020 Motus Dei consultation, Warrick Farah and team offer a significant collection exploring the reality of current Christ-centered movements. Their documentation, explanation, analysis, and reflection, seasoned by some contributors with needed critique, help us take vital steps forward in our understanding. I warmly commend this important compendium. -David Greenlee, PhD Author and Missiologist, Operation Mobilization One third of the world's population does not have access to the gospel! One. Third. There is only one way so many will ever be reached, and that is through God-centered movements. This book contains all the information one needs to become versed in the importance and dynamics of contemporary movements. Comprised of writings by some of the most knowledgeable on the topic, the book is not only informative but also instructive, with helpful illustrative case studies. As Alan Hirsch notes in the afterword, Motus Dei is ""packed full of movemental wisdom"" that is so needful in understanding what it takes to reach the unreached today. -Marvin J. Newell, DMiss Executive Director, Alliance for the Unreached / A Third of Us"

"God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who ""blows where he wills,"" or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, ""What is actually going on here?"" This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God's transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE executive director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies There are more than three hundred thousand churches in the United States; that is twenty-three churches for every Starbucks. With so many good churches, most American pastors have never seen a movement of thousands of non-Christians becoming Christians. I wonder if that is why some church leaders have spoken out against movements. I listened as one critic referred to movements as ""diabolical."" He should not have said that. I forgave him. Another referred to the work of some missionaries as ""gimmicks."" I forgave him as well. But in non-Christian countries, we are praying for movements. Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great ""apostle to Islam,"" who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer's prayer was Luke 5:5-""Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again."" By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. Let's keep praying to the Lord of the harvest. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. Robert A. Blincoe, PhD president emeritus, Frontiers US As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited for this volume, which brings together theologians, historians, missiologists, and practitioners around the important topic of the movement of God. Rev. Dave C. global pastor, Park Community Church, Chicago, IL Issues surrounding movements have risen to the forefront of missiology, creating a need for a more robust theology of movements. Motus Dei is a window into the dynamic discussion that is reshaping how the global church is fulfilling the Great Commission. If there was any one book that provides the clearest snapshot of the current ""state of movement missiology,"" this is it. Ted Esler, PhD president, Missio Nexus Any phenomenal movement of God that emerges with force and scale will attract both interest and critique. This volume is a comprehensive and reasoned response from a sterling collection of scholar-practitioners. Together they establish not only the plausibility of these ecclesial movements on the edges of God's kingdom, but help the reader envision how a fresh movement can arise in their own neighborhood, city, or people. Brad Gill editor, International Journal of Frontier Missiology Much missiological energy has been spent to explore Christ-centered movements of the past: the early Wesleyans of Britain and the US, Dalit groups in southern India, and peoples of the mountains of the India-Myanmar border to name a few. Can such movements occur today? Do they occur today? Building on the 2020 Motus Dei consultation, Warrick Farah and team offer a significant collection exploring the reality of current Christ-centered movements. Their documentation, explanation, analysis, and reflection, seasoned by some contributors with needed critique, help us take vital steps forward in our understanding. I warmly commend this important compendium. David Greenlee, PhD missiologist and author, Operation Mobilization Clarity, information, and encouragement. This collection on kingdom movements provides all three. The international contributors exhibit extensive ministry experience and keen scholarly expertise. The wide-ranging topics-biblical-historical, missional-theological, analytical, practical-are addressed with substance. Perhaps best of all is the winsome approach that acknowledges missiological tensions and questions, all the while affirming the contemporary surge of peoples to follow Jesus. Many thanks to the Motus Dei Network for this timely and constructive publication. Rev. J. Nelson Jennings, PhD mission pastor, consultant, and international liaison, Onnuri Church editor, Global Missiology Motus Dei is a breath of fresh air for the mission world, bringing much-needed empirical work to the phenomena of movements, where churches are planting churches. With baseline definitional work, missional theology, the exploration of movement dynamics, and case studies all in one volume, this book and the promise of ongoing research in future volumes is the place to go to better understand movements in order to wisely participate in what the Spirit is doing around the world. Alan Johnson, PhD associate professor of anthropology, Assembliesd of God Theological Seminary coeditor of Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration As one who has spent decades in the worlds of both higher education and church planting, I highly recommend Motus Dei. It is well-researched, very informative, and extremely practical. Motus Dei would serve well as either a classroom text or a field handbook-a one-stop-shop resource on church planting movements. Bill Jones, DMin cofounder, Crossover Global; chancellor, Columbia International University Motus Dei is the first report of a learning community of mission leaders and scholars in dialogue about how the Spirit of God has moved among them, creating households of faith, new generations of disciples, the multiplication of churches and seekers around the world. The goal of this community is to continue these conversations and to invite others participating with God in movements to join them. This book is an exceptional introduction. Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD provost emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, senior professor of Anthropology coauthor of Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision: Training Leaders for a Church-Planting Movement If ever there was an anthology whose ""time has come,"" it is this compilation of reflections from leaders involved with movements of people to Christ from other religious backgrounds. The verifiable fact of large kingdom movements in the majority world needs to be taken seriously and celebrated. This volume sets the stage for their voices to emerge as part of Christ's global church and their indigenous experience of God in Christ to teach us all. Jay Matenga, DIS director of Global Witness, World Evangelical Alliance, and executive director of the WEA Mission Commission One third of the world's population does not have access to the gospel! One. Third. There is only one way so many will ever be reached, and that is through God-centered movements. This book contains all the information one needs to become versed in the importance and dynamics of contemporary movements. Comprised of writings by some of the most knowledgeable on the topic, the book is not only informative but also instructive, with helpful illustrative case studies. As Alan Hirsch notes in the afterword, Motus Dei is ""packed full of movemental wisdom"" that is so needful in understanding what it takes to reach the unreached today. Marvin J. Newell, DMiss executive director, Alliance for the Unreached / A Third of Us I highly recommend this book. Motus Dei captures all the very best and most current research on Disciple Making Movements. It looks back at the historic development of the field, and then forward, anticipating what is to come. As an edited volume, Motus Dei brings together premier scholars to offer a biblically astute, theologically robust, and culturally sophisticated analysis of Disciple Making Movements. It would be the ""go-to"" book for me on this subject. Gregg A. Okesson, PhD interim provost and VP for academic affairs, Asbury Theological Seminary author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World God is moving in unprecedented ways! Kingdom movements have happened throughout history, but in the last thirty years God has started more than 1,400 movements with more than eighty million disciples in many unreached peoples and places. Motus Dei is an invaluable effort to evaluate and learn what God is doing in movements for the benefit of both the broader Christian world and movement leaders. ""See, I am doing a new thing! ... do you not perceive it?"" (Isaiah 43:19). Stan Parks, PhD cofacilitator of the 24:14 Global Coalition; VP of Global Strategies, Beyond coeditor of 24:14 - A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World I have been writing and teaching on the subject of movements since 2001. People have often asked for more information about such works of the Spirit. Though I have been able to refer to a few sources here and there, I never found a satisfying comprehensive volume. Motus Dei is the compendium of contemporary research and wisdom for which we have been waiting! This groundbreaking book provides a breath of fresh air, answers many questions, and greatly advances the conversation regarding this flourishing field of study. J. D. Payne, PhD professor of Christian Ministry, Samford University author of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers In 1974, Ralph Winter's ""hidden peoples"" shook the mission world. Over the next three decades, ""harvest field"" research propelled missiology as a theological discipline. The corresponding, late-twentieth-century global advance is undeniable. In 2004, David Garrison's ""ten universal elements"" were equally seismic. Two decades into the twenty-first century, we are again witnessing the maturation of missiology relative to ""harvest force"" research. Motus Dei pushes our observations of multiplying movements from adolescence into adulthood as a discipline. The corresponding global advance is as yet unfolding. Nathan Shank, PhD candidate affinity global strategist-South Asian peoples, International Mission Board"

God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who blows where he wills, or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, What is actually going on here? This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God's transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE executive director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies There are more than three hundred thousand churches in the United States; that is twenty-three churches for every Starbucks. With so many good churches, most American pastors have never seen a movement of thousands of non-Christians becoming Christians. I wonder if that is why some church leaders have spoken out against movements. I listened as one critic referred to movements as diabolical. He should not have said that. I forgave him. Another referred to the work of some missionaries as gimmicks. I forgave him as well. But in non-Christian countries, we are praying for movements. Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great apostle to Islam, who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer's prayer was Luke 5:5- Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again. By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. Let's keep praying to the Lord of the harvest. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. Robert A. Blincoe, PhD president emeritus, Frontiers US As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited for this volume, which brings together theologians, historians, missiologists, and practitioners around the important topic of the movement of God. Rev. Dave C. global pastor, Park Community Church, Chicago, IL Issues surrounding movements have risen to the forefront of missiology, creating a need for a more robust theology of movements. Motus Dei is a window into the dynamic discussion that is reshaping how the global church is fulfilling the Great Commission. If there was any one book that provides the clearest snapshot of the current state of movement missiology, this is it. Ted Esler, PhD president, Missio Nexus Any phenomenal movement of God that emerges with force and scale will attract both interest and critique. This volume is a comprehensive and reasoned response from a sterling collection of scholar-practitioners. Together they establish not only the plausibility of these ecclesial movements on the edges of God's kingdom, but help the reader envision how a fresh movement can arise in their own neighborhood, city, or people. Brad Gill editor, International Journal of Frontier Missiology Much missiological energy has been spent to explore Christ-centered movements of the past: the early Wesleyans of Britain and the US, Dalit groups in southern India, and peoples of the mountains of the India-Myanmar border to name a few. Can such movements occur today? Do they occur today? Building on the 2020 Motus Dei consultation, Warrick Farah and team offer a significant collection exploring the reality of current Christ-centered movements. Their documentation, explanation, analysis, and reflection, seasoned by some contributors with needed critique, help us take vital steps forward in our understanding. I warmly commend this important compendium. David Greenlee, PhD missiologist and author, Operation Mobilization Clarity, information, and encouragement. This collection on kingdom movements provides all three. The international contributors exhibit extensive ministry experience and keen scholarly expertise. The wide-ranging topics-biblical-historical, missional-theological, analytical, practical-are addressed with substance. Perhaps best of all is the winsome approach that acknowledges missiological tensions and questions, all the while affirming the contemporary surge of peoples to follow Jesus. Many thanks to the Motus Dei Network for this timely and constructive publication. Rev. J. Nelson Jennings, PhD mission pastor, consultant, and international liaison, Onnuri Church editor, Global Missiology Motus Dei is a breath of fresh air for the mission world, bringing much-needed empirical work to the phenomena of movements, where churches are planting churches. With baseline definitional work, missional theology, the exploration of movement dynamics, and case studies all in one volume, this book and the promise of ongoing research in future volumes is the place to go to better understand movements in order to wisely participate in what the Spirit is doing around the world. Alan Johnson, PhD associate professor of anthropology, Assembliesd of God Theological Seminary coeditor of Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration As one who has spent decades in the worlds of both higher education and church planting, I highly recommend Motus Dei. It is well-researched, very informative, and extremely practical. Motus Dei would serve well as either a classroom text or a field handbook-a one-stop-shop resource on church planting movements. Bill Jones, DMin cofounder, Crossover Global; chancellor, Columbia International University Motus Dei is the first report of a learning community of mission leaders and scholars in dialogue about how the Spirit of God has moved among them, creating households of faith, new generations of disciples, the multiplication of churches and seekers around the world. The goal of this community is to continue these conversations and to invite others participating with God in movements to join them. This book is an exceptional introduction. Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD provost emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, senior professor of Anthropology coauthor of Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision: Training Leaders for a Church-Planting Movement If ever there was an anthology whose time has come, it is this compilation of reflections from leaders involved with movements of people to Christ from other religious backgrounds. The verifiable fact of large kingdom movements in the majority world needs to be taken seriously and celebrated. This volume sets the stage for their voices to emerge as part of Christ's global church and their indigenous experience of God in Christ to teach us all. Jay Matenga, DIS director of Global Witness, World Evangelical Alliance, and executive director of the WEA Mission Commission One third of the world's population does not have access to the gospel! One. Third. There is only one way so many will ever be reached, and that is through God-centered movements. This book contains all the information one needs to become versed in the importance and dynamics of contemporary movements. Comprised of writings by some of the most knowledgeable on the topic, the book is not only informative but also instructive, with helpful illustrative case studies. As Alan Hirsch notes in the afterword, Motus Dei is packed full of movemental wisdom that is so needful in understanding what it takes to reach the unreached today. Marvin J. Newell, DMiss executive director, Alliance for the Unreached / A Third of Us I highly recommend this book. Motus Dei captures all the very best and most current research on Disciple Making Movements. It looks back at the historic development of the field, and then forward, anticipating what is to come. As an edited volume, Motus Dei brings together premier scholars to offer a biblically astute, theologically robust, and culturally sophisticated analysis of Disciple Making Movements. It would be the go-to book for me on this subject. Gregg A. Okesson, PhD interim provost and VP for academic affairs, Asbury Theological Seminary author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World God is moving in unprecedented ways! Kingdom movements have happened throughout history, but in the last thirty years God has started more than 1,400 movements with more than eighty million disciples in many unreached peoples and places. Motus Dei is an invaluable effort to evaluate and learn what God is doing in movements for the benefit of both the broader Christian world and movement leaders. See, I am doing a new thing! ... do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19). Stan Parks, PhD cofacilitator of the 24:14 Global Coalition; VP of Global Strategies, Beyond coeditor of 24:14 - A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World I have been writing and teaching on the subject of movements since 2001. People have often asked for more information about such works of the Spirit. Though I have been able to refer to a few sources here and there, I never found a satisfying comprehensive volume. Motus Dei is the compendium of contemporary research and wisdom for which we have been waiting! This groundbreaking book provides a breath of fresh air, answers many questions, and greatly advances the conversation regarding this flourishing field of study. J. D. Payne, PhD professor of Christian Ministry, Samford University author of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers In 1974, Ralph Winter's hidden peoples shook the mission world. Over the next three decades, harvest field research propelled missiology as a theological discipline. The corresponding, late-twentieth-century global advance is undeniable. In 2004, David Garrison's ten universal elements were equally seismic. Two decades into the twenty-first century, we are again witnessing the maturation of missiology relative to harvest force research. Motus Dei pushes our observations of multiplying movements from adolescence into adulthood as a discipline. The corresponding global advance is as yet unfolding. Nathan Shank, PhD candidate affinity global strategist-South Asian peoples, International Mission Board

"Any phenomenal movement of God that emerges with force and scale will attract both interest and critique. This volume is a comprehensive and reasoned response from a sterling collection of scholar-practitioners. Together they establish not only the plausibility of these ecclesial movements on the edges of God's kingdom, but help the reader envision how a fresh movement can arise in their own neighborhood, city, or people. Brad Gill Editor, International Journal of Frontier Missiology As a local church missions pastor seeking to equip and send workers to the fields that are ripe for harvest, I find much of the movement literature communicates a simplistically formulaic methodology. This is not what you will find in Motus Dei. I am excited for this volume, which brings together theologians, historians, missiologists, and practitioners around the important topic of the movement of God. Rev. Dave C. Global Pastor, Park Community Church, Chicago, IL As one who has spent decades in the worlds of both higher education and church planting, I highly recommend Motus Dei. It is well-researched, very informative, and extremely practical. Motus Dei would serve well as either a classroom text or a field handbook--a one-stop-shop resource on church planting movements. Bill Jones, DMin Cofounder, Crossover Global; chancellor, Columbia International University Clarity, information, and encouragement. This collection on kingdom movements provides all three. The international contributors exhibit extensive ministry experience and keen scholarly expertise. The wide-ranging topics--biblical-historical, missional-theological, analytical, practical--are addressed with substance. Perhaps best of all is the winsome approach that acknowledges missiological tensions and questions, all the while affirming the contemporary surge of peoples to follow Jesus. Many thanks to the Motus Dei Network for this timely and constructive publication. Rev. J. Nelson Jennings, PhD Mission Pastor, Consultant, and International Liaison, Onnuri Church; Editor, Global Missiology God is moving in unprecedented ways! Kingdom movements have happened throughout history, but in the last thirty years God has started more than 1,400 movements with more than eighty million disciples in many unreached peoples and places. Motus Dei is an invaluable effort to evaluate and learn what God is doing in movements for the benefit of both the broader Christian world and movement leaders. ""See, I am doing a new thing! ... do you not perceive it?"" (Isaiah 43:19). Stan Parks, PhD Cofacilitator of the 24:14 Global Coalition; VP of Global Strategies, Beyond coeditor of 24:14 - A Testimony to All Peoples: Kingdom Movements Around the World God is working in remarkable ways in parts of his world. Yet terms like Church Planting Movements and Disciple Making Movements have stirred strong debate in mission theology circles. Are we talking about the Spirit, who ""blows where he wills,"" or cultural captivity to technique, strategy, speed, and scale? This book is important, whatever your perspective. And perhaps there is a third way. Despite the fact that God has chosen to work through movements at different points in history, the missiology of movements is relatively underdeveloped. The multiple authors in this volume help us take a step back from the slogans and action and ask, ""What is actually going on here?"" This reflective work is vital if we are to join in God's transforming work with humble boldness and find that third way. Paul Bendor-Samuel, MRCGP, MBE Executive Director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies I have been writing and teaching on the subject of movements since 2001. People have often asked for more information about such works of the Spirit. Though I have been able to refer to a few sources here and there, I never found a satisfying comprehensive volume. Motus Dei is the compendium of contemporary research and wisdom for which we have been waiting! This groundbreaking book provides a breath of fresh air, answers many questions, and greatly advances the conversation regarding this flourishing field of study. J. D. Payne, PhD Professor of Christian Ministry, Samford University Author of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches from New Believers I highly recommend this book. Motus Dei captures all the very best and most current research on Disciple Making Movements. It looks back at the historic development of the field, and then forward, anticipating what is to come. As an edited volume, Motus Dei brings together premier scholars to offer a biblically astute, theologically robust, and culturally sophisticated analysis of Disciple Making Movements. It would be the ""go-to"" book for me on this subject. Gregg A. Okesson, PhD Interim Provost and VP for academic affairs, Asbury Theological Seminary; author of A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World If ever there was an anthology whose ""time has come,"" it is this compilation of reflections from leaders involved with movements of people to Christ from other religious backgrounds. The verifiable fact of large kingdom movements in the majority world needs to be taken seriously and celebrated. This volume sets the stage for their voices to emerge as part of Christ's global church and their indigenous experience of God in Christ to teach us all. Jay Matenga, DIS Director of Global Witness, World Evangelical Alliance; executive director, WEA Mission Commission In 1974, Ralph Winter's ""hidden peoples"" shook the mission world. Over the next three decades, ""harvest field"" research propelled missiology as a theological discipline. The corresponding, late-twentieth-century global advance is undeniable. In 2004, David Garrison's ""ten universal elements"" were equally seismic. Two decades into the twenty-first century, we are again witnessing the maturation of missiology relative to ""harvest force"" research. Motus Dei pushes our observations of multiplying movements from adolescence into adulthood as a discipline. The corresponding global advance is as yet unfolding. Nathan Shank, PhD candidate Affinity Global Strategist--South Asian peoples, International Mission Board Issues surrounding movements have risen to the forefront of missiology, creating a need for a more robust theology of movements. Motus Dei is a window into the dynamic discussion that is reshaping how the global church is fulfilling the Great Commission. If there was any one book that provides the clearest snapshot of the current ""state of movement missiology,"" this is it. Ted Esler, PhD President, Missio Nexus Motus Dei is a breath of fresh air for the mission world, bringing much-needed empirical work to the phenomena of movements, where churches are planting churches. With baseline definitional work, missional theology, the exploration of movement dynamics, and case studies all in one volume, this book and the promise of ongoing research in future volumes is the place to go to better understand movements in order to wisely participate in what the Spirit is doing around the world. Alan Johnson, PhD Associate Professor of Anthropology, Assembliesd of God Theological Seminary Coeditor of Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration Motus Dei is the first report of a learning community of mission leaders and scholars in dialogue about how the Spirit of God has moved among them, creating households of faith, new generations of disciples, the multiplication of churches and seekers around the world. The goal of this community is to continue these conversations and to invite others participating with God in movements to join them. This book is an exceptional introduction. Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD Provost Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, senior professor of Anthropology; coauthor of Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision: Training Leaders for a Church-Planting Movement Movements are always an answer to prayer. I think of Samuel Zwemer, the great ""apostle to Islam,"" who thanked God for five converts in his lifetime. Zwemer's prayer was Luke 5:5--""Lord, we have fished all night and caught nothing, but at your word we will let down our nets again."" By a miracle, great numbers of fish filled the nets. Today, in a few parts of the non-Christian world, we are seeing what Zwemer longed to see. This is what Motus Dei is all about. Warrick Farah tells the story of movements in this superb book. Robert A. Blincoe, PhD President Emeritus, Frontiers US Much missiological energy has been spent to explore Christ-centered movements of the past: the early Wesleyans of Britain and the US, Dalit groups in southern India, and peoples of the mountains of the India-Myanmar border to name a few. Can such movements occur today? Do they occur today? Building on the 2020 Motus Dei consultation, Warrick Farah and team offer a significant collection exploring the reality of current Christ-centered movements. Their documentation, explanation, analysis, and reflection, seasoned by some contributors with needed critique, help us take vital steps forward in our understanding. I warmly commend this important compendium. David Greenlee, PhD Author and Missiologist, Operation Mobilization One third of the world's population does not have access to the gospel! One. Third. There is only one way so many will ever be reached, and that is through God-centered movements. This book contains all the information one needs to become versed in the importance and dynamics of contemporary movements. Comprised of writings by some of the most knowledgeable on the topic, the book is not only informative but also instructive, with helpful illustrative case studies. As Alan Hirsch notes in the afterword, Motus Dei is ""packed full of movemental wisdom"" that is so needful in understanding what it takes to reach the unreached today. Marvin J. Newell, DMiss Executive Director, Alliance for the Unreached / A Third of Us"

Author Information

Dr. Warrick Farah serves with One Collective as a missiologist and theological educator. He is editor of Motus Dei: The Movement of God to Disciple the Nations (2021) as well as co-editor of Margins of Islam: Ministry in Diverse Muslim Contexts (2018). His research interests include Muslim Studies, Frontier Missiology, Integral Mission, and Church Planting Movements. He has published in journals such as EMQ, Missiology, IJFM, Global Missiology, and the Great Commission Research Journal. Warrick is the founder and a facilitator of the Motus Dei Network (https: //MotusDei.Network) and is a researcher at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.

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