some key books pt2
This was one of the first books i read on the missional church paradigm, it is a realy hard slog it took me almost a year to digest it. One thing i have noticed though is that i keep going back to it for all sorts of ideas. It wont answer any “howto” questions but it will get you asking real and honest questions about church and the shape that it might take if we put mission at our heart. Get your own copy at Koorong or Amazon.
In The Shaping of Things to Come the Australians Frost and Hirsch present an innovative vision of how the church can be more relevant and responsive to the spiritual hunger seen in the Western world.
This compelling book investigates churches throughout Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA that are creative, progressive and imaginative in their approaches to community, spiritual growth, and outreach.
“It is especially helpful to have an Australian perspective on the twenty-first century missional church as these two authors are engaged in church planting in one of the most secularized societies in the Western world. Their contribution brings an in-depth theological reflection as well as providing a broad scope informed by their extensive reading in theology, culture and mission as well as their on-site visits to missional churches in the USA and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, (the authors) are not armchair-theorists but are engaged in innovative and risk-taking ventures in church planting and the mentoring of leaders to extend this strategic ministry. Their contribution to the literature is as substantial as it is engaging.”
Eddie Gibbs, Donald A. McGavran Professor of Church Growth, Fuller Theological Seminary
Andy on April 22nd 2008 in training
