Publication List

Title Description
Describing Fruitful Practices: Communication Methods Burke, L.R. “Describing Fruitful Practices: Communication Methods.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 27, no. 3 (2010):147-156. In the continuation of a series started in IJFM issue 26:3, Larry Burke provides descriptions and examples of fruitful practices for communicating the gospel in Muslim societies.
Describing Fruitful Practices: Relating to Society Daniels, Gene. “Describing Fruitful Practices: Relating to Society.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 27, no. 1 (2010):21-26. In the continuation of a series started in IJFM issue 26:3, Gene Daniels provides descriptions and examples of fruitful practices for workers as they relate to their host societies. These fruitful practices include gaining respect by behaving in culturally appropriate ways, addressing tangible needs in the community, building positive relationships with local leaders, and more.
Discerning Fruitful Practices in Evangelism Greenlee, David. “Discerning Fruitful Practices in Evangelism.” Proceedings of the Fifth Lausanne Researchers Conference. Geelong, Australia, 2008. In this paper, the author describes an etic approach to fruitful practice research. Rather than asking those who have come to faith to describe their experiences, this research process has given emphasis to the insights of experienced workers serving among Muslims. Nine statements of fruitful practice emerge as most important.
From Seed to Fruit: Global Trends, Fruitful Practices, and Emerging Issues among Muslims Woodberry, J. Dudley, ed. From Seed to Fruit: Global Trends, Fruitful Practices, and Emerging Issues among Muslims. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2008. What practices is God blessing in raising up groups of Jesus followers among Muslims? And how shall we understand Muslim peoples and their access to biblical witness? In recent years workers from a growing number of organizations have begun to discuss such questions.
Fruitful Practices in Contextualization Fish, Bob, and Gene Daniels. “Fruitful Practices in Contextualization.” Chap. 8 in Global Mission: Reflections and Case Studies in Contextualisation for the Whole Church, edited by Rose Dowsett, 77-84. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2011. Fish and Daniels discuss fifteen practices for fruitful workers and teams that relate to cultural contextualization.

Fruitful Practices: A Descriptive List Allen, Don, Rebecca Harrison, Eric Adams, Laura Adams, Bob Fish, and E. J. Martin. “Fruitful Practices: A Descriptive List.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 3 (2009):111-122. The Fruitful Practices List is the result of an inductive multi-year, muti-agency study. It was distilled from the experience of hundreds of practitioners working among Muslim peoples. In this context, “Fruitful Practice” means an activity that promotes the emergence, vitality, and multiplication of fellowships of Jesus followers in a Muslim context.
Fruitful Practices: A New Generation of Workers Has Discovered Encouraging Alternatives Allen, Don. “Fruitful Practices: A New Generation of Workers Has Discovered Encouraging Alternatives.” Mission Frontiers, July-August 2008: 6-10. Recently, a new generation of worker-observers has discovered an alternative to “reinventing the wheel” when bringing the gospel to a new culture. As they examine common practices among colleagues living elsewhere in the Muslim world, certain patterns emerge in places where Jesus-centred communities do blossom.
Introducing Fruitful Practice and Reflective Practice This talk by Eric Adams introduces fruitful practices and reflective practices. It is a companion to the more detailed talks on fruitful practices and on reflecting together. Together, these describe the work of the Fruitful Practice Research team. This talk was first presented to the International Society of Frontier Missiology on September, 2009.
Multimedia PDF – requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9.0 or higher.
Introduction to Fruitful Practices This talk by Dr. Don Allen introduces fruitful practices and our research methodology. It is a companion to the talk on reflecting together. Together, these describe the work of the Fruitful Practice Research team. This talk was first presented to the International Society of Frontier Missiology on September, 2009.
Multimedia PDF – requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9.0 or higher.
Introduction to Reflective Practice This talk by Leon Torkko introduces reflective practices. It is a companion to the talk on fruitful practice research. Together, these describe the work of the Fruitful Practice Research team. This talk was first presented to the International Society of Frontier Missiology on September, 2009.
Multimedia PDF – requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9.0 or higher.
Movements and Contextualization: Is There Really a Correlation? Brown, Rick, Bob Fish, John Travis, Eric Adams, and Don Allen. “Movements and Contextualization: Is There Really a Correlation?” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 1 (2009):29-32. New empirical research reveals a correlation between contextualisation and the emergence of faith movements among Muslim people groups.
Networks of Redemption: A Preliminary Statistical Analysis of Fruitfulness in Transformational and Attractional Approaches Andrea Gray, Leith Gray, Bob Fish, and Michael Baker. “Networks of Redemption: A Preliminary Statistical Analysis of Fruitfulness in Transformational and Attractional Approaches.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 27, no. 2 (2010):89-95. What is the relationship between the church planting approach used by the cross-cultural worker, and the number and characteristics of actual churches planted?
Our Story in His Story: A Case Study on the Use of Mixed Methods Research to Equip Workers for Engaging Muslims. Allen, Don. “Our Story in His Story: A Case Study on the Use of Mixed Methods Research to Equip Workers for Engaging Muslims.” Proceedings of the Sixth Lausanne Researchers International Network Conference. Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2010. Given the many contexts of ministry among Muslims, which practices tend to impact the emergence, vitality, and reproduction of fellowships among Muslim background disciples of Jesus Christ? This paper describes the use of a mixed methods approach to address this question among a network of cross-cultural workers focusing on the Muslim world.
Paradigms and Praxis (Part 1): Social Networks and Fruitfulness in Church Planting Gray, Andrea, and Leith Gray. “Paradigms and Praxis (Part 1): Social Networks and Fruitfulness in Church Planting.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 1 (2009):19-28.The Grays reviewed interviews with 33 church planters in the Muslim world. Their analysis revealed that social networks are at the heart of missiological paradigms. The practices a worker engages in seem to be determined by his or her view or mental model of what the church is and the relationship between the church, the gospel and the local community.
Paradigms and Praxis (Part 2): Why Are Some Workers Changing Paradigms? Gray, Andrea, and Leith Gray. “Paradigms and Praxis (Part 2): Why Are Some Workers Changing Paradigms?” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 2 (2009):63-73. In this article, the Grays explore why many workers are becoming dissatisfied with the attractional model and are returning to the transformational model that characterized the apostolic and immediate post-apostolic age. In order to answer this question, we will look at the analytical frameworks of social network analysis, paradigm shift and the missional church movement.
Practices that Significantly Correlate with Fruitfulness among Peoples of the Arab World Fish, Bob, Don Allen, and Eric Adams. “Practices that Significantly Correlate with Fruitfulness among Peoples of the Arab World.” Seedbed 23, no. 2 (2009):7-16.
Seven Themes of Fruitfulness Adams, Eric, Don Allen, and Bob Fish. “Seven Themes of Fruitfulness.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 2 (2009):75-81. How do we cooperate with the Father in the process of establishing communities of Jesus’ followers in the Muslim world? What is our part in his plan to raise up communities of faith? This paper describes seven strong themes which appear to significantly correlate with fruitfulness. These seven themes emerged in an inductive study of our data and our participants.
Stewards of Experience Torkko, Leon, Laura Adams, and Eric Adams. “Stewards of Experience.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 4 (2009):159-163. God’s plan of blessing all peoples continues to go forward, towards its promised, glorious end. Peter’s exhortation reminds us of our part in this drama: we are to be good stewards of our gifts. Stewardship is the careful management of something entrusted to one’s care, something that’s valuable enough that it calls for intentional thought about how to understand it, enhance it, share it and put it to use.
Tell Me a Story: Using Narratives to Illustrate Research Findings Daniels, Gene and E J Martin. “Tell Me a Story: Using Narratives to Illustrate Research Findings.” Proceedings of the Sixth Lausanne Researchers International Network Conference.Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2010. Many become involved in mission research because of a desire to contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom. So they are frustrated and disheartened when the findings from a demanding missiological research project sit unused.
That You May Discern What Is Best: Discovering Fruitful Practices for Reaching Out to Followers of Other Faiths Allen, Donald B. “That You May Discern What Is Best: Discovering Fruitful Practices for Reaching Out to Followers of Other Faiths.” Proceedings of the Fifth Lausanne Researchers Conference. Geelong, Australia, 2008. Fruitful practices are an emerging method of missiological research and its potential for helping workers to keep “the end in mind” as they share God’s love with peoples of other faiths. This paper includes a historical overview of the concept as well as its foundational assumptions and cautions as an interdisciplinary method of research.
The context of church planting: Are there differences between more and less fruitful teams? Fish, Bob. “The context of church planting: Are there differences between more and less fruitful teams?” Proceedings of the Fifth Lausanne Researchers Conference. Geelong, Australia, 2008. Many agencies and denominations have as a goal the establishing of churches. Clearly worldwide there are places where this is happening more often than in other places. Is this simply a matter of time, geography and a work of the Spirit? Or are there ways in which we can watch what the Father is doing in places where church planters are more fruitful?
Watching the Father: The Importance of Knowledge Stewardship Adams, Eric. “Watching the Father: The Importance of Knowledge Stewardship.” Lausanne World Pulse, January 2009: 10-14. “… the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does … .” Many field workers learn valuable lessons as they watch, listen, and follow the Father’s lead while reflecting on their ministry experiences.
Where There Was No Church: Postcards from Followers of Jesus in the Muslim World Martin, E. J., ed. Where There Was No Church: Postcards from Followers of Jesus in the Muslim World. N.p.: Learning Together Press, 2010. This book brings together stories that show what God is doing through his people among Muslims, and brings to life fruitful practices that have helped followers of Jesus invite Muslims to follow him, too. If you work in the Muslim world or are interested in doing so in the future, you will find this an excellent resource.