The Forgotten Ways - Chapter 7

June 5, 2007 | Filed Under alan hirsch, books, missional |

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Our network gatherings are finally (after three months) getting to the last two chapters of Alan Hirsch’s book The Forgotten Ways. As we prepare to summarize a bit of chapter 7 in this post and chapter 8 tomorrow I thought it would be good to be reminded of the elements discussed thus far.

Hirsch coins the phrase “Apostolic Genius” to help describe “that unique energy and force that imbues phenomenal Jesus movements in history.” Diagrammatically Hirsch envision Apostolic Genius looking something like this:

apostolic-genius.jpg

(Click to enlarge graphic)

In the glossary of key terms Hirsch defines Apostolic Genius as follows:

My own conclusions are that Apostolic Genius is made up of six components (perhaps more, never less). Five are what I call mDNA, and the other has to do with its spirituality and theology. For the most part, I focus on the six elements of mDNA when I use the term. The five elements are missional-incarnational impulse, apostolic environment, disciple making, organic systems, and communitas. Loaded into the term Apostolic Genius is the full combination of all the elements of mDNA that together form a constellation, as it were, each shedding light on the others. I also believe it is latent, or embedded, into the very nature of God’s gospel people. I suggest that when all the elements of mDNA are present and are in dynamic relationship with the other elements, and an adaptive challenge acts as a catalyst, then Apostolic Genius is activated. (p. 274)

The elements that we have discussed thus far include (1) Jesus as Lord, which is the element Hirsch refers in the above quote as being at the spiritual and theological core of Apostolic Genius; (2) Disciple making; (3) Missional-incarnational impulse; and (4) Apostolic environment. 

The next element found in chapter 7 is organic systems. Hirsch begins the chapter with an interesting discussion on systems theory or what he refers to as a living system approach. Hirsch states that the purpose of a living system approach is to seek to structure the common life of an organization around the “rhythms and structures that mirror life itself.” Such an approach will naturally look to organic, “life-oriented” perspectives to organizational life rather than programmatic, institutional ones.

This does not mean, however, that structure or organization is not needed. Quoting Neil Cole: “Structures are needed, but they must be simple, reproducible and internal rather than external.” Hirsch goes on to say:

Quite clearly there is something “structural” going on in the people movements of the early periods and in China - it’s just not the same as what we have experienced. For me the question is about the right kind of living structure, or medium, appropriate to the message of the apostolic church. And this looks significantly different from what we have come to know as the top-down, institutional/governance form of church - which is far and away the predominant structural mode of the church in the West.

The previous discussion leads Hirsch to the proposition that if the church is to truly become missional then it must move away from institutional forms of organization and recover a movement ethos.

What is clear is that movements have a very different composition and feel to that of the denominational institutions we had become. The differences are nothing less than paradigmatic. H.R. Niebuhr noted that “there are essential differences between an institution and a movement: The one is conservative, the other progressive; the one is more or less passive yielding to influences from the outside, the other is active in influencing rather than being influenced; the one looks to the past, the other to the future. In addition the one is anxious, the other is prepared to take risks; the one guards boundaries, the other crosses them.”

Two sections from chapter 7 that add further illustration for a movement ethos includes a summary of characteristics from Howard Snyder’s “Signs of the Spirit” (p. 193) and a table of comparison between institutional religion and a movement ethos (p. 196).

First Snyder’s characteristics of movements:

1.  A thirst for renewal: A holy discontent with what exists precipitates a recovery of the vitality and patterns of the early church.

2.  A new stress on the work of the Spirit: The work of the Spirit is seen not only as important in the past but also as an experience in the present.

3.  A concern for being a countercultural community: Movements call the church to a more radical commitment and a more active tension with the world.

4.  Nontraditional or nonordained leadership: Renewal movements are often led by people with no recognized formal leadership status in the church. Spiritual authority is the key.

5.  Ministry to the poor: Movements almost always involve people as the grassroots level. They actively involve the masses and often start as mission on the edges and among the poor.

6.  An institutional-charismatic tension: In almost every case of renewal, tensions within existing structures will arise.

7.  Energy and dynamism: New movements have the ability to excite and enlist others as leaders and participants.

Finally a portion of the comparison chart between Organic missional movements vs. Institutional religions:

1.  Seeks to embody the way of the Founder vs. represents a more codified belief system.

2.  Based on internal operational principles (mDNA) vs. based increasingly on external legislating policies and governance.

3.  Has a cause vs. is “the cause.”

4.  The mission is to change the future vs. the mission is to preserve the past.

5.  Tends to be mobile and dynamic vs. tends to be more static and fixed.

6.  Decentralized network based on relationships vs. centralized organization based on loyalty.

7.  Appeals to the common person vs. Tends to become more and more elitist and exclusive.

8.  People of the Way vs. People of the Book.

I find Hirsch’s emphasis on developing a movement ethos to be very helpful. But what does that look like for you, in your context? What can we do individually, as a community, (and for those of us associated with a larger body) as a denomination, to create more organic missional movements?

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5 comments so far
  1. Rustin June 5, 2007 12:48 pm

    I love the reminder (or prediction) that tensions will arise within existing structures in “almost every case of renewal” - I think this is something that can be managed better by helping people to prepare for destabilization for the sake of renewal.

    I also like the idea of structures being “internal” rather than “external.” I’m trying to figure this out practically, but the metaphor is helpful.

  2. alan hirsch June 6, 2007 6:42 pm

    Rustin, who said tention isn’t a good thing. Actually, we need it to advance, even to live. Its how e manage it that matters. REnewal for an organization is a difficult process because they become very inflexible, with polity, process, policies, procedures and all (4 P’s there!)

  3. brad brisco June 6, 2007 6:59 pm

    Alan

    I don’t want to speak for Rustin, but I don’t think he said that tension isn’t good; just that it is a good reminder that it is inevitable and with that inevitability it is good to prepare others for what is to come. However, I like what you said here that it is actually a good thing for the benefit of the organization if handled properly.

    I have really been reflecting on “movement ethos.” I wonder if you have anything to add to the movement ethos perspective since the writing of the book. Do you know of networks or denominational groups that are experiencing some level of “success” in creating this kind of ethos?

    By the way, I am convinced that a Baptist must have helped you with the 4 Ps. :)

  4. Matt Maestas June 7, 2007 9:13 am

    Our addiction to buildings as Western Evangelicals seems to drive a lack of movement ethos. As Hirsch pointed out in the chapter, with buildings comes stability and a hindrance for a movement to be fluid as it becomes attached to a specific time and place. What if buildings were constructed for the community and not for the “church” per se? “Churches” building community centers used primarily by the community for things other than worship in my mind would help create and shape the culture the “church” finds itself in.

  5. The Starfish & The Spider &laquo Missional Church Network August 7, 2007 2:04 pm

    [...] the Starfish and the Spider brought me back several times to Alan Hirsch’s chapter on organic systems in The Forgotten Ways. Hirsch continuously emphasizes the need to move away from institutional forms [...]