Mustard Seed vs. McWorld: Reinventing Life and Faith for the Future (Paperback)

~ (Author) "We hurtled down the mountain freeway in Haiti at ninety-five miles an hour . . . on the wrong side of the road..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A powerful prophetic vision that screams hope in the face of modern day fatalism. Within these pages we are educated about our world, challenged to change it and given the tools and inspiration to do so. -- Phil Wall, The Salvation Army

An important book about our globalized society and the consumer values which drive it. This is essential reading for all western Christians committed to shaping their lifestyle according to the teaching of Christ. -- Graham Clay, Ridley College, Cambridge

An intriguing book that shows secularism to be a lot deeper than most of us have thought. ... Sine forces us to confront our hidden accommodations to modernity and invites us to join his conspiracy for non-dualistic discipleship. -- Peter C. Moore, president, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

Because Tom Sine thinks carefully about our past and our future, we can take seriously what he says about our present. Mustard Seed vs. McWorld is an important book about our present and how, with divine creativity, we might envision our future. An important read that we neglect to our peril. -- Richard J. Foster, author, Celebration of Discipline and Streams of Living Water

Beckons us to choose the seeds of the kingdom and shows us how to plant them. This is essential work if the forces of global materialism are to be uprooted with the power of the gospel. A guidebook for imaginative discipleship, equipping Christians for the new millennium. -- Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary, Reformed Church in America

In the meltdown to the new millennium this is a must read for all who care about the future of the church and world. A profoundly challenging book. -- Roger and Faith Forster, Ichthus Christian Fellowship

Many of us consider Tom Sine as one of the outstanding futurists of this generation. This book may be his very best. He communicates from both mind and heart his concerns for the church in the Western world. But he does not merely critique. He presents some practical potential solutions which every one of use should prayerfully consider. -- Paul Cedar, chairman, Mission America

This book is a must read for any Christian leader who is determined to face tomorrows challenges equipped for the task. As one who spends a lot of time trying to peer into the future, I cannot commend this book more highly. -- Richard Kew, director, Anglican Forum for the Future

Tom Sine cuts through corporate one-world propaganda to reveal the dark side of economic globalization and asserts with vigor that the American Dream is no substitute for the mission that Jesus gave to the church. -- Stephen A. Hayner, president, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

Product Description

Change is rapid, subtle, and ubiquitous. As a culture, we find ourselves working harder and harder to keep abreast of the unending shifts in society, business, education, and values. Christians often are overwhelmed in their efforts to provide the leadership of foresight, vision, and imagination needed in a seemingly unstable world.

Tom Sines Mustard Seed vs. McWorld emphasizes how Christians can adopt Jesus mustard seed perspective by recognizing that God works through the seemingly small and insignificant to bring about lasting change. For McWorld, the ultimate is economic growth and efficiency; from a mustard seed perspective, spiritual and societal transformation are the ultimate goals.

This book is ideally suited for business leaders, ministry organizations, and educational institutions seeking measures for coping with rapid change. College and seminary students, students of cultural trends, and all Christians simply desiring to better understand the future and make a difference will benefit from Mustard Seed vs. McWorld.

From the Foreword: You will be grateful for the change this book may bring in youto be not an apathetic traveler but one who is engaged in a changing world with the changeless message of Christs gospel. We are indebted to Tom Sine for giving us this roadmap to show us Gods love and care for this world and to guide us through todays shifting cultural addictions (Ravi Zacharias).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801090881
• ISBN-13: 978-0801090882
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #243,521 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to be "in the world, but not of it", July 25, 2000

By A Customer

Many Christian writers give solid advice for dealing with family and friends, but downplay our interactions with the "secular" world, as if we're better off avoiding it as much as possible. Others get hung up on social action for the sake of their favorite -ism, often seeming to forget about God in the process. This worthwhile book avoids both these pitfalls. Tom Sine shows that we can live our faith in the world by starting small faith-based projects -- "planting mustard seeds" -- in areas like evangelization, charitable works, ecology, and the arts. He provides many examples and case studies, and talks about why it's important for Christians to want to make a difference. If you're interested in practical ways to share Christian values in society, this book is both thought-provoking and action-provoking.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sine of the Times, May 8, 2000

By	S. Cornforth "Steve Cornforth" (Liverpool, UK England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tom Sine looks firstly at the phenomenon of globalisation andthe growth of certain corporations who are now bigger than theeconomies of some countries. In his analysis of this 'race to the top' he presents a vivid picture of the alarming power of these 'super companies.' In this context he introduces the opportunities and dangers of technology and especially e-commerce which is dramatically accelerating globalisation.

He then moves on to the dangers and challenges of this new McWorld. He looks at the pressures on young people and their accumulation of debt as they join in the race. He then highlights the plight of the world's poor who increasingly left behind. He uses the example of Ugandan villagers who can no longer afford locally produced fish as the producers have found a higher price from Western purchasers. The local population are left to queue for the scraps.

Sine's aim is to challenge Christian leaders to present an alternative to McWorld, based on a concern for the poor and for our environment. He achieves this in a way that is informative and readable. He presents material which is often perceived as dry in a lively and challenging way.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "WWJD" = symptom of a problem in Christendom?, December 15, 2001

By	Timotheus Josephus - See all my reviews

Sine is not your typical conservative Christian author. If you're looking for a book by one of Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell's buddies, then you're in the wrong aisle; try checking over in the area with all the "WWJD" bracelets and T-shirts.

Sine's book would surely ruffle the feathers of the average church-going, capitalist-loving, suburban Christian. After all, this guy (Sine) has the audacity to claim that we, as Christians, are actually supposed to place the teachings of Jesus on a higher level than the priorities of an American culture based on consumerism. Sheesh!!! Who does he think he is? Sine's emphasis is on re-organizing our lives to get away from the perceived need to mold them in a way that feeds off of materialism, and to focus our efforts instead on the work of God's kingdom. Rather than having our priorities be 1) material things, 2) family, and 3) God, Sine rightly states they should be 1) God, 2) family, 3) material necessities.

If you're disappointed with working 50-60 hours per week striving for that next promotion while trying to find time to race the kids to their activities, feed the dog, mow the lawn, and do the dishes, (Oh! and I'll find time for God next week) all to end up with high blood pressure, a divorce, and bankruptcy court, then you definitely should read this book. It will either scare you or inspire you to start over! Or both...