Helen Lee - The Missional Mom: Living with Purpose at Home & in the World

the
missional
mom

LIVING WITH PURPOSE AT HOME & IN THE WORLD

H E L E N L E E

M OODY P UBLISHERS
C HICAGO

2011 by
H ELEN L EE

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Edited by Annette LaPlaca
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Maralynn Rochat
Cover image: iStock
Author photo: Michael Hudson Photography

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lee, Helen, 1976
The missional mom : living with purpose at home and in the world /
Helen Lee.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-0-8024-3786-0
1. MothersReligious life. I. Title.
BV4529.18.L44 2011

2010038444

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Praise forThe Missional Mom

Helen is exactly the kick in the pants I need as a mom. By casting a vision of motherhood that includes little details of family life and the big picture of global injustice and suffering, Helen gives moms the encouragement we need to follow God wherever He might lead us.

Carla Barnhill, author of The Myth of the Perfect Mother, cofounder of themommyrevolution.com

You will be inspired, challenged, and energized [by The Missional Mom] to make your home a place of love and service to others. Dont underestimate the power of women, especially the power of a cadre of mothers, who manage their homes as missional outposts for kingdom work.

Arloa Sutter, executive director, Breakthrough Urban Ministries

The Missional Mom is a treat for any mom who believes that God has called her to serve beyond the reaches of motherhood. Helen shows us how we can at once be wonderful, loving moms while also serving our wonderful, loving God using the vast and divergent passions and gifts Hes given us.

Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira, author of Mamas Got a Fake I.D. and cofounder of themommyrevolution.com

Helen Lee is not only a missional mom, she also is a clear and incisive writer. Im not a mom, but as a Christian and a dad, I found myself marveling and motivated as I read this book. Now this is living!

Marshall Shelley, editor, Leadership Journal

The Missional Mom is a book that challenges us (not just moms!) to embrace radical, countercultural followership especially within the environment of our homes. The wonder years of growing families shouldnt be seen as a time we check out of following God. Helen stirs our imagination to go deeper into who we are called to be in our homes and beyond.

Dave Gibbons Author of The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church and Xealots: Defying the Gravity of Normality

We are both convinced that in order to unleash the world transforming power of missional Christianity we are going to need to learn a whole lot more from women. We look forward to a time when men and women are released to be all they can be in God for the sake of His kingdom. Helens book is a wonderful gift to all of us.

Alan and Debra Hirsch, authors of Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship

There is no sphere of human life that cannot find its true end in Gods mission. Helen Lee, with engaging yet powerful prose, helps us see what this might mean for mothers. Under her careful gudance, we see how the rhythms and struggles of being a mom become subsumed by Gods sovereign purposes for the redemption of the world. I encourage us all who have families (not just moms) to read this book!

David Fitch reclaimingthemission.com B. R. Lindner Chair Evangelical Theology Northern Seminary

It is easy to understand why moms might lose sight of the purpose and meaning for their lives when life is going by at such a frightening speed. This is a book that reminds women of the adventure of missional living (amidst the daily grind) that God is calling all of us to.

Michael Wallenmeyer, MissionalinSuburbia.com

This is a serious book, and it will stand out in a landscape littered with feel-good messages for moms. Helen Lee elevates motherhood by challenging us to be more than moms. She affirms our calling, first and foremost, to be Gods people.

Amy Simpson, vice president, Church Ministry Media Group, Christianity Today International, editor-in-chief, Kyria.com

I was captivated by the deep spiritual truths in The Missional Mom. This book is a wealth of practical and meaningful insight that has everything to do with how to live our lives and raise our children in an increasingly out-of-control culture. Cant wait for The Missional Dad!

Tom Davis CEO, Childrens Hopechest Author, Red Letters, Fields of the Fatherless, and ScaredA Novel on the Edge of the World

The Missional Mom removes the pressure of having to always do the right thing as a parent and restores a sense of passion and calling to parenting while giving us the right to simply be who it is that God has gifted us to be.

Dave Ferguson Lead pastor, Community Christian Church Movement leader, NewThing

Helen Lee was missional before missional was coolas a journalist, an entrepreneur, a neighbor, wife, and mom. Her life has been defined by service to others and by approaching whatever task thats set before her as a divine calling.

Edward Gilbreath Editor of UrbanFaith.com Author of Reconciliation Blues

For my three sons
and for Brian, without whom Id have
neither our boys nor this book.