About the Book
Effective evangelism requires we learn to open all the doors of witness.
In this very unique moment where the church is experiencing retreat and revival at the same time how do we keep reaching out well The answer might not what we think.
Whether it's a Muslim having a dream about Jesus, a university student listening to a Christian Oxford professor discussing the historical validity of the resurrection, a sick person being loved, cared for, and prayed over by a Christian nurse, a sermon by the preacher, or a deliverance that breaks the power of darkness, the point is that in a pluralistic, multicultural, and socio-economically diverse world, love, word, and power are the keys to crossing the common ground we share with our neighbors.
But what does this feel like on the ground
In Presence, Jon Thompson provides practical steps rooted in biblical story that reorient our lenses of evangelism by pointing to the need for the incarnation to once again become the focal point of our thinking and expression in witnessing, enabling us to reach different people and communities at the same time.
This powerful and incarnational approach examines the reasons behind our mixed responses to Christian witness and seeks to ensure that our message is clear and unambiguous, addressing the vital truths of who Jesus is, what the gospel is, and their profound impact on identity. Delving into the themes of love, word, and power, readers will discover that Gods desire for the church has always been to be a hospitable, intellectually engaging movement of encounterism.
About the Author :
Jon Thompson is the senior pastor of Sanctus Church, a multi-site church in the Greater Toronto Area where he has been on staff for more than twenty-eight years. Jon holds a Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary in Toronto and a Doctorate in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Jon is married and a father to three kids. He speaks and teaches globally on the convergence of spiritual gifts, spiritual practices, and spiritual experiences in the life of the believer and the local church.
Review :
'Few writers manage to hold conviction and compassion together without one collapsing into the other. Jon Thompson does, and Presence is the result. In a moment when too many Christian books either retreat into fortress mentality or quietly accommodate the spirit of the age, Thompson maps a third way: faithful, intellectually confident, beauty-attentive, Spirit-empowered witness that builds bridges rather than burning them. His Jonah framework--do they deserve forgiveness, do they deserve the message, do they deserve my presence?--is exactly the self-examination the contemporary church needs before opening its mouth. As someone working at the intersection of orthodox theology and pastoral welcome, I commend Presence to anyone tired of the fanaticism that, as Thompson rightly notes, almost always conceals a secret doubt.'
'For those seeking to navigate this moment spiritually and culturally, I honestly can't think of many better guides than Jon Thompson. These are extraordinary days of both incredible kingdom opportunity and significant spiritual and cultural challenges. We desperately need wisdom and discernment, which make Jon's unique ability to fuse biblical revelation with prophetic insight an extraordinary gift to the church. His new book Presence will no doubt inspire, challenge, and stretch you, whilst simultaneously stirring a deep longing for God's kingdom to break in with greater measure.'
'How can Christians witness well in this particular cultural moment and in ways relevant to all times or places? If you're looking for a book that truly answers that question, look no further. This is it! Whether he is analyzing the present post-Christian context, describing the various bridges that provide witness opportunities, expounding the uniqueness and richness of the Christian gospel, or underscoring the compassion and love which must motivate our witness, Jon Thompson has written a book filled with profound and perceptive insights. His engaging style, his deep dives into Scripture, his historical reflections, and his interaction with a wide range of contemporary literature all serve to ground and enrich the discussion. Read Presence and be enlightened, challenged, and inspired to be a faithful witness. I can't recommend this book highly enough.'
'In Presence, Jon Thompson gives a thoughtful exhortation to the church on how to approach our cultural moment. Forged from decades of leading in one of the most diverse, multicultural cities in the world, he outlines a helpful theology of how we can live as exiles in our culture without falling into either withdrawal and retreat or compromise and syncretism. Jon gently, pastorally pushes against some of our ideologies that may be limiting the Western church from becoming the full expression of who Christ intended for us to be in the world. I hope you'll pick up a copy.'
'There are not many thinkers in our time that can do and be what Jon does both in his life and also in this book. Deep, academic thinking, fused together with practical and spiritual application for us in the real world. I have to be honest, I have sent this book to more people this year than any other book--pastors, lay people, preachers, thinkers, all for the same reason: We need this book right now to navigate our posture as Christians in these complex yet exciting times. I actually have a text group on my phone filled with people who are reading it, and it is alive and well with people excited about Jon's ideas and approach. The first time I read it was with was with a pen, to highlight, mark it up, take notes, and learn how to think about our times. When I finished, I couldn't wait to read it again, this time for the heart of it, to see how I could pastor, lead, and live in the way Jon espouses here--to be a presence in a special way for our world, changed by the one who came to and was a presence for us.'
'This book is both prophetic and brilliant. I adore it. This isn't the book you would write if you wanted to sell a million copies. This is the book you would write if God said, 'Write this book.' I mean that genuinely. Presence by Jon Thompson is brave and needed. This is seen clearly from the premise to the content. Whether or not the church wants this book, they need it.'
'To put the whole of Thomson's book in three words (which are his words), God is working. In every life (even those we aren't so fond of) and in every culture and context, God is present and at work. Our part is to join what he is already doing, and that means seeking his presence and aligning our attitude and method with his heart. Such wisdom for twenty-first century evangelists! Everyone seeking the advance of God's kingdom should ingest this book and then get to work loving the place and people we've been sent to love.'
'Too many Christians know about God but don't walk with him. They've traded communion with the living God for busyness, noise, or shallow routine. In Presence, Jon Thompson invites the church back to what matters most, a daily, Spirit-filled, Scripture-rooted life with Jesus that changes how we witness! If you're tired of going through the motions and ready to encounter God again, read this book and see not only what can change for you but see the invitation for friends, family, strangers and enemies to encounter the Jesus you know.'
'With all the buzz, posts, and momentum around the world about revival, encounter, and outpourings, the church needs a translator and guide for this moment. Jon Thompson is a brilliant, biblical, and experienced friend . . . and I'm listening and learning from him.'
At a time when many Christians feel pulled toward fearful withdrawal or reactive outrage, Presence offers a far better way. With theological depth, cultural insight, and a Spirit-attuned posture, Jon Thompson offers a hopeful and compelling vision for bearing witness to Jesus with humility, courage, and love. This book is a timely and much-needed guide for anyone longing to embody Christ faithfully in these turbulent times of change.
