While there are several classic McNeal nuggets in this 30 minute conference session from earlier this year, there was one particular metaphor that stood out that I had never heard/read from Reggie before. He uses a helpful technology metaphor when speaking of the differences of extracting oil out from under the sands of Saudi Arabia [...]
Archive for March, 2010
Reggie McNeal Video
Posted: 29th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Church, Church Planting, Community Transformation, Ecclesiology, Missional, Video3
Darrell Guder: Image of Temple vs Tabernacle
Posted: 27th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Books, Church, Culture, Ecclesiology, Missional, TheologyComments Off
Over the past couple of years I have been attempting to read through every book from the Gospel and Our Culture Series written or edited by such authors as Darrell Guder, Craig Van Gelder, George Hunsberger, Lois Barrett and others. My two favorites have been the ever popular “Missional Church” and the lesser known “Confident Witness [...]
Our Mission is to Join God’s Mission
Posted: 24th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Books, Missiology, MissionalHere are two excellent quotes from John Stott on the nature of God’s mission and how we are sent to join in that mission. The primal mission is God’s, for it is he who sent his prophets, his Son, his Spirit. Of these missions the mission of the Son is central, for it was the [...]
What is a Missional Church?
Posted: 23rd March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Church, Ecclesiology, Missiology, MissionalA missional church is a unified body of believers, [1] intent on being God’s missionary presence [2] to the indigenous community that surrounds them, [3] recognizing that God is already at work. [4] __________________________ [1] The importance of unity, which shows up consistently in missional literature, is rooted in Trinitarian theology. The triune God is [...]
From Christendom to Post-Christendom
Posted: 20th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Church, Culture, MissionalComments Off
One of the key elements of moving an existing congregation in a missional direction involves assisting the church in understanding cultural shifts. The most significant shift for the church to consider is the one from Christendom to Post-Christendom. Without a clear grasp of the significant missiological and ecclesiological changes that are necessary in a Post-Christendom context, [...]
As I arise today,may the strength of God pilot me,the power of God uphold me,the wisdom of God guide me.May the eye of God look before me,the ear of God hear me,the word of God speak for me.May the hand of God protect me,the way of God lie before me,the shield of God defend me,the [...]
Pat Keifert on Missional Church
Posted: 15th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Church, Ecclesiology, Lesslie Newbigin, Missiology, Missional, Prayer, Spiritual Formation, VideoHere is an interesting video dialog (produced/edited by Bill Kinnon) between Alan Roxbugh and Pat Keifert. They discuss a wide range of issues, including definitions/descriptions of missional church, common views of the contemporary church, and leadership in missional congregations. In the discussion on leadership I appreciate Keifert’s emphasis on leadership being more about time than [...]
Alan Hirsch & Cultural Distance
Posted: 13th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Alan Hirsch, Culture, Ecclesiology, Gospel, Incarnational, Missiology, Missional, VideoComments Off
Here are the links to two very good presentations from Alan Hirsch on the topic of cultural distance in a post-Christendom context. The first video is a 19 minute talk given at the Q conference. The second clip is an expansion on the same topic in a 47 minute session at Velocity.
Missional Church Seminar
Posted: 5th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Church, Church Planting, Dmin Project, Ecclesiology, Leadership, Missiology, Missional, NetworksComments Off
Over the past year I have had an increasing number of conversations with pastors and church leaders about the church’s inability to “reach” their local communities. Many local churches have come to the realization that they have lost the ability to “attract” people to church programs and events. They sense that something has changed, but [...]
Missions Programs or a Missional Theology?
Posted: 4th March 2010 by Brad Brisco in Books, Church, Church Planting, Missiology, MissionalHere is an extended quote from a great book by Linda Bergquist and Allan Karr. I hope to post a review for the book in the next week. Today’s church has posed itself a serious challenge: to live according to its missional nature rather than simply organize around mission activities. This challenge is something of [...]
Two or three times a month I receive requests to do book reviews on the blog. Depending on the author, publisher, and/or book title I sometimes say, “sure” and other times, “not really interested.” A couple of weeks ago I said “sure” purely on the book title. The book was If the Church Were Christian. [...]