Back to Zero: The Search to Rediscover the Methodist Movement

by Gilbert R. Rendle

The lifeblood of the United Methodist is passion rather than organizational neatness, entrepreneurial freedom rather than denominational restraint, and agility rather than staid institutional dependence. But if United Methodists want to change and be the church we say we want to be, what must we risk and how can we challenge current practices?

At the heart of becoming a spiritual movement once again is the requirement that we develop a new understanding of connection as Christians and as United Methodists. We are currently at a time in which United Methodists are reinventing denominational connectionalism. One way of framing the issue is to distinguish between members and disciples, or consumers (those who wait for the institution to care for their needs) and citizens (those who are willing to commit themselves to and be held accountable for the whole of the community).

United Methodism has nurtured generations of leaders and congregations that see themselves as consumers of the resources and attention of the denomination. The impulse toward movement is challenging spiritually purposeful leaders and congregations to risk becoming citizens who fully expect to make a difference in the lives of individuals and also in the world through an encounter with Christ.

Genres: Leadership, Church

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gil has done a good job of sorting out the United Methodist Church situation from the perspective of adaptive leadership. He has gleaned various aspects of group dynamics and leadership from Collins, Peters and others as well as from his many years of consulting in the church. And his application to the current state of affairs in the church is relevant and illuminating.
It was a challenge to wade through the early chapters, but once the groundwork was laid his premise and recommendations were easy enough to follow. Definitely a good/must read for those in church leadership as well as those 'movement visionaries' looking for how to live out their passion.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fair assessment of the United Methodist church in reaching its goal of becoming more missional and less about sustaining a cumbersome hierarchy

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paradigm shift with hope for the future of the church and with parallels that can be used in business as well. Truly positive view of leading for change and staying focused on the mission.

[Cabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seeks to encourage the UMC to act more like a missional movement and less like an institution, which is a fantastic goal that I wholeheartedly support. Unfortunately it is held back by mediocre writing and its excessive reliance upon corporate wisdom and an instrumental view of the church.

[Sue Merrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you want to be part of an institution or a movement? That got my attention. But it turns out being part of a movement isn't as easy as it sounds, even for an institution like the Methodist Church that has ridden the wave of movements before. Rendle brings up a lot of good organizational points. It's not fun reading, but it really makes you think.

[Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

imaginative and intended to provoke imagination. curious how these books on new forms of leadership that get at purpose and mission over and above like-minded agreement wedge into the concrete of peoples lives.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good look at the state of the UMC and other mainstream churces today. Disturbing, but in a good way. This book I think is meant to shake you out of your comfort zone and start discussion about what we should be doing now.

[Andrew Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. Some good ideas, but not really any clear-cut solutions.

[Amanda Bise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the ideas of becoming a more accepting church and making disciples rather than clergy. However, I don't feel that it is understandable for people just stepping into church leadership.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had to struggle through this one - it's not written for a casual reader, so it reads more like an academic paper than anything else.