Church: Community for the Kingdom

American Society of Missiology

by John Fuellenbach

Integrating missiology and ecclesiology in a vision of a church in mission made up of all the world's peoples, Fuellenbach explores the church's life as worshiping community, as communion, as Body of Christ working to make the world reflect Kingdom values.

238 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuellenbach's extensively researched text builds a theological foundation for small Christian communities in the context of modern Catholicism. Written in 2002 in the closing years of Pope John Paul II's pontificate, it details the themes of Vatican II and their implications for the mission of the Church. The author presents new models for the Church, building on Dulles' work, that give insight to the Church's work with the global poor. Being a missionary as well as a theologian, Fuellenbach explains from first-hand knowledge how the institutional Church relates to the action of the Holy Spirit in the communities of poverty around the world.

Expect to be challenged by this book. It presents a perspective of the Church from the bottom, rather than the top. It interprets Vatican II from the perspective of the poor in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Western traditionalists may disagree with his views, or even be affronted by them. However, the book is thoroughly researched, and always supports the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church and Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church. Fourteen years after it was written, Pope Francis is pursuing some of the same theological directions.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually didn't quite finish...But class ended before I was able to! Was a wonderful resource. Plan on revisiting in the future.