Guiding Light

Rev. Dr. Alan Tippett was arguably one of the leading missiologists of the twentieth century. Through his prolific pen, poignant observations, and powerful insights he significantly influenced mission research and activity in the period of the 1960s to 1980s. This was particularly facilitated through his research, writing, and teaching at the Institute of Church Growth, Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission, and his inaugural editorship of the American Society of Missiology's journal, Missiology: An International Review. Yet for those who did not know Tippett's material well, the very specific nature of his research and writing limited the influence of his insights. For example, without already knowing the pertinent content, why would a missionary to Thailand think of reading Tippett's Solomon Islands Christianity? However, according to Doug Priest, editor of a number of Tippett's posthumous publications, this volume has ""done what even Tippett himself did not do, and that is to capture the key features of his missiology in one volume."" So Guiding Light functions as an in-depth overview of ""The Essential Alan Tippett."" I can attest that the nature of Tippett's material continued to inform and inspire me throughout the eleven years of the research and writing of this study.


""Through Hovey's careful study, Allan Tippett's contribution through his life and research has been brilliantly re-presented using the author's vantage point.""
--Wonsuk Ma, Dean, Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity, College of Theology and Ministry

""Every serious missiologist should read Alan Tippett, and this book . . . is the appropriate place to wade in. Tippett's writing take up five linear feet on my bookshelf. Kevin Hovey has masterfully captured and condensed this corpus into a very readable single volume.""
--Doug Priest, editor of The Missiology of Alan R. Tippett Series

""Kevin Hovey has done the missiological world a great service by introducing the present generation of missiologists and mission practitioners to the fascinating and complex life of Australian missiological anthropologist, Alan Tippett. Plumbing the vast corpus of Tippett's anthropological, missiological, and ethnohistorical research and writing, Hovey walks the reader through a captivating journey of Tippett's early life and missionary experience in Fiji, and demonstrates how this contributed to insightful and creative missiological theories that were ground-breaking in his day and relevant to World Christianity today.""
--Darrell Whiteman, Global Development
""Guiding Light masterfully showcases Alan Tippett's contribution to missiology through in-depth analysis of his insights into people movements, contextualization, and ministry among animists.""
--Richard Hibbert, Director of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Mission, Sydney Missionary and Bible College

""As a context-grounded and reflective scholar-practitioner, Kevin employs his decades of experience in Melanesia to uncover the deep life-themes underpinning Tippett's writings. This penetrating journey into the strategic intellect of arguably Australia's most eminent twentieth century missiologist invites us to critique our increasingly diffuse missiology.""
--Ian L. Grant, Intercultural Coach, ACCI Missions and Relief


Kevin Hovey is Head of the Cross Cultural Ministry Department at Alphacrucis College, Sydney Australia, a position he has held for fifteen years. This followed thirty-one years as a missionary in Papua New Guinea and in mission leadership roles in Australia. He is the author of Before All Else Fails Read the Instructions (1995).