What do you think?
Rate this book
Metanoia: How God Radically Transforms People, Churches, and Organizations From the Inside Out
What if, instead of remaining stuck in unfruitful patterns and systems, we could experience the personal, church, and organizational transformation we so desperately desire?
The answer lies in Jesus’ first words as he began his public “metanoia.” This profound concept encompasses repentance as a radical paradigm shift and reorientation, inviting us to perceive the world through God’s eyes and bringing transformation in our own lives, the organizations we lead, and the world around us.
In these pages, Alan Hirsch and Rob Kelly bring together their decades of experience helping countless organizational leaders to implement deep and significant change. Combining a theologically robust understanding of metanoia, along with best thinking from the social sciences, this book equips individuals and organizations to serve courageously and effectively in a complex and uncertain world.
___________________
ENDORSEMENTS
In Metanoia, Alan Hirsch and Rob Kelly recognize the church has reached a turning point. Social unrest, political discord, a life-altering pandemic—all of these are forcing leaders to consider how they move forward in a changed world. Hirsch and Kelly offer insightful answers to important missiological What if, instead of following old models, we turned to God for new ideas? What if, instead of holding onto the past, we sought God’s future? Metanoia brilliantly explains how repentance realigns our hearts with God’s and creates a shift that prepares his people to reach the world in brand-new ways.
DAVE FERGUSON, lead visionary, NewThing; author, BLESS
The church needs a course correction! Far beyond the guilt and shame frameworks of repentance we have previously held to, this book beckons us to consider metanoia as the radical paradigm shift we need in order to see with fresh eyes the beauty awaiting us in Christ. Compelling, hopeful, and unflinching, Metanoia is a masterful book that every Christian leader should read.
LISA RODRIGUEZ-WATSON, national director, Missio Alliance; contributing author, Voices of Lament and Red Skies
Every once in a while, I find myself reading a book that I have to close. It’s too much, too good. My imagination is captivated, the vision of God is beyond belief, and I need to breathe. It’s so overwhelmingly true and hopeful, that it shifts the foundation of my soul. With the WHY linked with the HOW, Alan and Rob plumb the depths of Jesus and emerge with a way forward for all of us, individually and collectively—a force, perhaps like the one that caused the disciples to drop everything and follow.
NANCY ORTBERG, CEO, Transforming the Bay with Christ; author, Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands
In a world awash with peripherals, the message of Metanoia is truly and refreshingly radical—striking right at the very radix, the root, of the ways in which we are to think, live, and lead as followers of Jesus Christ. I particularly welcome the blend of provocative thought and pragmatic empowerment, typical as it is of Alan Hirsch’s life as both a prophetic intellect and catalytic leader.
PETE GREIG, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd, UK
There are very few writers who can take a concept that you have known for a long time and help you rediscover it in a way that helps you see everything anew. Alan Hirsch seems to do this with every book.
The answer lies in Jesus’ first words as he began his public “metanoia.” This profound concept encompasses repentance as a radical paradigm shift and reorientation, inviting us to perceive the world through God’s eyes and bringing transformation in our own lives, the organizations we lead, and the world around us.
In these pages, Alan Hirsch and Rob Kelly bring together their decades of experience helping countless organizational leaders to implement deep and significant change. Combining a theologically robust understanding of metanoia, along with best thinking from the social sciences, this book equips individuals and organizations to serve courageously and effectively in a complex and uncertain world.
___________________
ENDORSEMENTS
In Metanoia, Alan Hirsch and Rob Kelly recognize the church has reached a turning point. Social unrest, political discord, a life-altering pandemic—all of these are forcing leaders to consider how they move forward in a changed world. Hirsch and Kelly offer insightful answers to important missiological What if, instead of following old models, we turned to God for new ideas? What if, instead of holding onto the past, we sought God’s future? Metanoia brilliantly explains how repentance realigns our hearts with God’s and creates a shift that prepares his people to reach the world in brand-new ways.
DAVE FERGUSON, lead visionary, NewThing; author, BLESS
The church needs a course correction! Far beyond the guilt and shame frameworks of repentance we have previously held to, this book beckons us to consider metanoia as the radical paradigm shift we need in order to see with fresh eyes the beauty awaiting us in Christ. Compelling, hopeful, and unflinching, Metanoia is a masterful book that every Christian leader should read.
LISA RODRIGUEZ-WATSON, national director, Missio Alliance; contributing author, Voices of Lament and Red Skies
Every once in a while, I find myself reading a book that I have to close. It’s too much, too good. My imagination is captivated, the vision of God is beyond belief, and I need to breathe. It’s so overwhelmingly true and hopeful, that it shifts the foundation of my soul. With the WHY linked with the HOW, Alan and Rob plumb the depths of Jesus and emerge with a way forward for all of us, individually and collectively—a force, perhaps like the one that caused the disciples to drop everything and follow.
NANCY ORTBERG, CEO, Transforming the Bay with Christ; author, Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands
In a world awash with peripherals, the message of Metanoia is truly and refreshingly radical—striking right at the very radix, the root, of the ways in which we are to think, live, and lead as followers of Jesus Christ. I particularly welcome the blend of provocative thought and pragmatic empowerment, typical as it is of Alan Hirsch’s life as both a prophetic intellect and catalytic leader.
PETE GREIG, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd, UK
There are very few writers who can take a concept that you have known for a long time and help you rediscover it in a way that helps you see everything anew. Alan Hirsch seems to do this with every book.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2023
65 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Alan Hirsch
92 books81 followersAlan Hirsch is the founding director of Forge Mission Training Network. Currently he co-leads Future Travelers, an innovative learning program helping megachurches become missional movements. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is considered to be a thought-leader and key mission strategist for churches across the Western world. Hirsch is the author of The Forgotten Ways; co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus, and The Faith of Leap (with Michael Frost); Untamed (with Debra Hirsch); Right Here, Right Now (with Lance Ford), and On the Verge (with Dave Ferguson).
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 13, 2025
Didn’t know I needed until I readed (as they say)
This book really gave language to my own ongoing conversion/repentance journey - I found myself very encouraged and excited to continue to say yes to the transformative experience of getting my mind blown by God!
As I work for a movemental organization, I found the second half of the book inspiring and challenging as well. I am excited to wrestle and implement in my personal life and ministry
This book really gave language to my own ongoing conversion/repentance journey - I found myself very encouraged and excited to continue to say yes to the transformative experience of getting my mind blown by God!
As I work for a movemental organization, I found the second half of the book inspiring and challenging as well. I am excited to wrestle and implement in my personal life and ministry
June 6, 2023
Having read a decent amount of the missional literature, I can't say that this book was mindblowing for me, but I do find the central concept of metanoia, a reframing of what is often understood in a merely negative sense (repentance) as undergoing paradigm shift. We can hear resonances of "permanent revolution" here. To remain open to the Spirit, who brings new life, we must allow God to keep our frameworks open, to be continual learners, so that we do not ossify into dead structures. Good stuff always. I would especially recommend this way of thinking to my Christian brothers and sisters who may not yet be convinced that mission defines the nature of the church.
June 20, 2023
Hirsch has done it again…
...Destined to be a modern classic, by reading this book you will begin to grasp the joy of repentance and learn how to embrace it as a lifestyle.
Compulsory reading for those in leadership.
...Destined to be a modern classic, by reading this book you will begin to grasp the joy of repentance and learn how to embrace it as a lifestyle.
Compulsory reading for those in leadership.
August 6, 2024
Hirsch is right on the money, as per usual, with his prophetic voice for the future of the church. Having been a fan of APEST and some of his previous work, I was excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint. Focusing on important “metanoia” shifts in Scripture like Paul on the road to Damascus, the woman at the well, or Thomas encountering the resurrected Jesus, we see the fruit that comes from making a seismic shift in our lives towards the Lord and away from our past lives. This same shift must take place in the church in the West in an increasingly postmodern culture. Before reading this I had my doubts that it could ever happen, but Hirsch’s words are both encouraging and practical. I pray we would take them seriously.
November 22, 2024
I really appreciated the book’s focus on the needed shifts for transformation - in people and churches.
The final 3 chapters were the most practical.
Sometimes these books, especially the core framework section can be much shorter and less wordy. But it’s worth digging through and highlighting the main ideas and practices.
I need to review to mine the structures and systems they call us to make this reality.
The final 3 chapters were the most practical.
Sometimes these books, especially the core framework section can be much shorter and less wordy. But it’s worth digging through and highlighting the main ideas and practices.
I need to review to mine the structures and systems they call us to make this reality.
October 10, 2023
Excellent book about change and how metanoia engages the process - a must read for pastors today!
It is a book that not only talks of personal metanoia but also institutional (church) metanoia!
It is a book that not only talks of personal metanoia but also institutional (church) metanoia!
December 30, 2023
Metanoia really is a fundamental paradigm shift that must take place on several levels for Christians and Christian organisations. A thought-provoking and inspiring read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews