The Marketplace - book review

Larry E. McCrary's "The Marketspace: The Essential Relationships Between the Sending Church, Marketplace Worker, and Missionary Team" offers a compelling argument for the critical role of marketplace missionaries in today's global context. McCrary begins by outlining the challenges faced by the limited number of “professional” missionaries, who have limited access to people, and have limited credibility for being where they are, and proposes a solution: empowering marketplace missionaries. 

The book proceeds with a comprehensive exploration of the diverse forms of marketplace ministry, extending beyond traditional employment to include freelancers, entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, and students. McCrary emphasises the legitimacy these people have as well as their financially sustainability in being particularly valuable as overseas missionaries. 

The third section explores the tripartite relationship between the sending church, the worker (and family) and mission organisation. It was encouraging to read McCrary’s process detailing the assessment, pre-departure training, and integration with the field team, which closely resembles the Work+Go pathway. 

Valuable Insights

While the section on "Creating Community" offers practical advice, it was rather common sensical. However, the final part on being intentionally connected with a local church provided valuable insights. McCrary recognises it’s not “the easiest route to take” but he shares the humility, relevance, and importance of attending a local church in understanding natural opportunities to mission with local co-workers. After three years living overseas, I only started attending a local church after the pandemic and a military coup led to the exodus of foreigners and closure of international churches, but I agree with McCary’s statement that, “the blessings of attending a national church are endless!”.  

A Fresh Perspective

McCrary's fresh perspective on missions makes this book relevant for all Christians, especially church leaders, mission organisations, and marketplace workers. It challenges us to rethink our roles in fulfilling the Great Commission, which McCrary reminds us is a mandate for all believers, not just “the professionals”.