Mission by the People

How is Christianity to express itself in the public forum within Western nations? This book seeks answers through a historical retrieval of the dynamic mission in post-war Scotland of Tom Allan and his contemporaries: the Iona Community; the Gorbals Group Ministry inspired by the East Harlem Protestant Parish; and Robert Mackie, Ian Fraser and Scottish Churches House.
 
Allan's missiology focused upon the apostolate of the laity: allowing ordinary people to express their faith in word and deed in a full contextualization of Christianity to seek a missionary parish of constant witness and service. The book examines his work in parish ministry, nationally as leader of the Tell Scotland Movement, and internationally with the WCC; and the rich sources and context of his missiology. Key questions are asked about tensions caused by the role of the church, and the effect of the Billy Graham ""All Scotland Crusade,"" which Allan instigated, on the rapid decline in Christian adherence from the late fifties. His work is placed alongside his contemporaries, who took bold steps beyond those of Allan to relocate faith to the rhythms of the streets. Utilizing present day missiology as a lens, their inspiration leads to derivations and principles, offered as guideposts for Christian mission now.

""Sandy Forsyth's fine exploration of the writings and ministry of Tom Allan in mid-twentieth-century Scotland reveals the confluence of several important themes in modern missiology. In this vivid and arresting account, we meet an inspiring figure in whom thought and practice were impressively integrated. The contemporary relevance of Allan's ecumenical and missiological insights will make this an important study for a wide audience.""
--David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity and Principal of New College, University of Edinburgh
 
""This is the most insightful book on mission in a Western context since Newbigin's Foolishness to the Greeks . . . Forsyth critically retrieves [Tom] Allan's ecumenical commitment to lay evangelism and social engagement to offer a dialogical approach to mission for Western Christians in increasingly secular and pluralist societies. The author is a worthy heir and renewer of Allan's legacy for today.""
--William Storrar, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton
 
""Mission by the People makes a key contribution to both historical and contemporary missiology and practical theology . . . Forsyth combines vivid narratives, astute analysis, and rigorous missiological reasoning in his pitch for an imaginative twenty-first-century retrieval of the center ground of missiology.
--Doug Gay, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Principal of Trinity College


Alexander (Sandy) Forsyth teaches in Practical Theology at the University of Glasgow, and works also in the parish as an ordained minister in the Church of Scotland. He has a lengthy background as a court lawyer. His interests lie in missiology, and the interactions of religion with the civil law. He is married with two daughters and lives near Glasgow.