Roland Allen: Man Behind Movement Missiology
Yesterday was an important day in Church history. However, it was a day and came and went with little fanfare. December 29 was the birthday of Roland Allen.
In 1868, the Anglican, missionary, and priest was born in England. His ministry would take him to various countries and result in the publication of paradigm-shifting books such as Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours?, The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church, and the little-known Pentecost and the World: The Revelation of the Holy Spirit in the “Acts of the Apostles.”
Such works, and others, continue to shape New Testament scholars, missiologists, and missionaries.
I find it humorous a high-Church Anglican has significantly influenced the views of this low-Church Baptist. My 2001 doctoral dissertation was related to Allen’s missiology.
In recognition of the day, here are several links to resources that may assist you in your understanding of Roland Allen:
YOUTUBE:
Roland Allen: Pioneer of Spontaneous Expansion
STRIKE THE MATCH PODCASTS:
Steve Rutt on Roland Allen’s Life and Work
Roland Allen–Life and Journey, Part 1
Roland Allen–Missiology, Part 2
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Here is a video of a lecture on Roland Allen given at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Steven Rutt, Roland Allen: A Missionary Life
Steven Rutt, Roland Allen: A Theology of Mission
J. D. Payne, Roland Allen: Pioneer of Spontaneous Expansion
J. D. Payne, ed., Roland Allen’s The Ministry of Expansion: The Priesthood of the Laity
Dictionary of African Christian Biography - Roland Allen
Boston University, History of Missiology - Roland Allen
Charles Henry Long and Ann Rowthorn, "Legacy of Roland Allen"
FREE ALLEN WRITINGS
The Siege of the Peking Legation
Essential Missionary Principles
Educational Principles and Missionary Methods
The Ministry of the Spirit: Selected Writings of Roland Allen (David Paton, ed.)
Missionary Survey as a Aid to Intelligent Co-Operation in Foreign Missions