If you want to understand the power of church planting movements, the place to begin is the first-century city of Ephesus. In this winsome study, Ephesiology offers readers a comprehensive view of the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the most significant city of the New Testament, and compels us to ask the question: how can we effectively connect Christ to our culture?
This is not another methodology or attempt to recontextualize evangelicalism. Rather, it is a journey from the inception of the church in Ephesus as it became a movement grounded in God’s mission and led by those who multiplied generations of disciples. In Ephesiology, Michael T. Cooper focuses on Paul and John as missiological theologians who successfully connected Jesus’s teaching with the cultural context and narrative of the people in Ephesus. Their ability to relate the God of all creation to the people resulted in “the Way,” transforming the religious, intellectual, economic, and social fabrics of the Ephesian society.
Through this study of a movement, discover how the Holy Spirit still changes lives, cities, and the world.
“I am presently working alongside several CP movements in Africa and the leaders of these movements are beginning to struggle with the tension between movement and institution. The American church watches and marvels at these movements but remains asleep as to their own condition. This book has the potential to challenge and clarify the changes needed in America and offer warning and help to the global movements!”
Rev. Rick Burke
Associate Director of Global Equipping
Unreached People Initiative
Reach Global – EFCA
“Who better to dig into the model of Ephesus than a missionary church-planter, turned missiologist, turned mission leader? Michael Cooper brings helpful breadth and depth to this work. His extensive experience and ongoing exposure to the church and the need around the world give him a unique platform. After decades of pragmatic, programmatic models, the church needs an exegetically-driven path forward.”
Rev. Kerry Doyal
District Superintendent
Allegheny District – EFCA
“Ephesiology is a uniquely grounded and helpful framework that will bless any person needing direction for church planting ‘the New Testament way.’ Drawing from biblical, theological, missiological and practical experience and disciplines, Dr. Michael Cooper has created a tome that faithfully exposits the scriptural principles that guided one of the greatest churches of the New Testament era. As a seasoned church planter himself, complemented by solid academic grounding, Cooper’s book is a must read for anyone who takes seriously and prayerfully the concept of church planting movements.”
Dr. Gary Fujino
Professor of Diaspora Studies
Missional University
Global Diaspora Network
“Dr. Cooper’s proposal is creative and the book should make a good contribution to existing literature on the theology of church planting movements. Among its merits is the fact that the book combines research in New Testament with current issues and realities in church planting movements worldwide, drawing upon Dr. Cooper’s extensive experience in this area. I think the book will be welcomed by missiologists and church planters and it should find its place as a text in Bible colleges and seminaries.”
Dr. Harold A. Netland
Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Author of Christianity and Religious Diversity
“Masterfully handling the book of Ephesians and using its content as a definitive guide, Michael Cooper lays a theologically strong foundation that is both corrective and directive to disciple making movements. The principles he gleans from the book of Ephesians and related texts, help to ensure the on-going multiplication and maturation of a movement. Because these are supra-cultural principles, they are applicable anywhere in the world.”
Dr. Marvin J. Newell
Staff Missiologist
Missio Nexus
Author of Crossing Cultures in Scripture
“A century ago, Roland Allen demonstrated how far 19th century missionary practice had departed from the example of the Apostle Paul. His work is still in print, used by many and needed to be used by more. Michael Cooper is accomplishing the same task of calling the church back to the Biblical foundation of missions and church planting.”
Dr. James Stamoolis
Missiologist and Educational Consultant
Author of Eastern Orthodox Mission Theology Today
“Wow – GREAT resource! Far too often we forget the basics in church planting and church multiplication movements. Ephesiology gives a solid biblical understanding to the original church planting movement, and provides a healthy DNA understanding for local congregations, denominations and ministries to grow effectively. Dr. Cooper has made a significant contribution to the Kingdom here. I’m adding this book to our recommended resource tool kit for GACX team.”
Nate Vander Stelt
Executive Vice President
Global Alliance for Church Multiplication
