Tradecraft Workbook: For the Church on Mission
Rodney Calfee, Larry McCrary, Caleb Crider, Wade Stephens
The Tradecraft Workbook is a 12-week companion resource to Tradecraft: For the Church on Mission, designed to help Christians think and live like missionaries. Authored by Rodney Calfee, Larry McCrary, Caleb Crider, and Wade Stephens, the workbook offers a structured and practical path for applying key missionary practices such as following the Spirit, cultural engagement, mapping, building relationships, contextualization, and more.
Created in response to demand from churches and organizations, the workbook is ideal for small groups and training environments—whether local, domestic, or global. Rooted in the values of the Upstream Collective, it is both accessible and actionable, making it a valuable resource for any believer seeking to live missionally in their everyday context.
Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You need this book!
“I grew up in the church, hearing about the amazing things missionaries were doing in far-off lands. For many years I helped to send short-term teams across the globe, then as a short-term team planner and leader, and for two years now as a long-term missionary living in Eastern Europe. From the moment I joined my first short-term team, I knew there was something wrong with the way I had been taught about missions. Somehow, in a lot of cases, our short-term teams were being a burden, rather than a blessing, for those they were supposedly going to serve. How could this be?
For several years I collected my thoughts, putting them into practice in my own ministry. Then came Tradecraft: For the Church on Mission. It was as though all of my thoughts, plus a lot more I had never even considered, were gathered together in one place. It immediately became the book we gifted to others, recommended to everyone we knew interested in missions, and required reading for our teams. Now, with the Tradecraft Workbook, comes a deliberate strategy for talking about and thinking through missions, and how that affects you (hint: as a Christian, it does).
I highly recommend this book to every person who wants to truly follow Jesus and be a part of his Kingdom. It is packed with questions, thoughts and practical steps to take, from authors who have served in the local church, in large missions organizations, and as missionaries in the field. Whether you will never leave your own community, or will travel the planet for the Gospel, if you are a follower of Christ, you are a missionary. Whether for individuals or for small groups, this workbook will help you think through what being a missionary means in your life, and how to put words into action.” —SK
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great for Small Groups!
“As a missions leader in a local church who desires to see people engage their community and the ends of the earth, I highly recommend this workbook. This book is a one-stop shop for a small group, mission team, or an individual to go across the street or around the world with the good news.
This study not only has practical lessons, but explores the why of going. Thus, it is perfect for anyone, no matter how experienced or skeptical. Each discussion question challenges one to be engaged where one is and to be prepared to go to an unreached people group. Therefore, one doesn't have to get on a plane for this study to be useful. For anyone who would say, ‘I'd never get on a plane and go to the jungle,’ this book challenges one to both go and stay with a purpose and responsibility. However, this book not only challenges us as individuals, but as a church. How are we as individuals being missional in our own context? How can we leverage our jobs to go where God leads us? How is our church engaging an unreached people group and supporting sent ones?
The homework for each day can be long and challenging, but not tedious. Therefore, if you are a church leader, small group leader, Sunday School teacher, or just interested in missions here, there, and everywhere, grab some friends and this book.” —J. Welch