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Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders
In Off-Road Disciplines, Earl Creps reveals that the on-road practices of prayer and Bible reading should be bolstered by the other kinds of encounters with God that occur unexpectedly―complete with the bumps and bruises that happen when you go “off-road.” Becoming an off-road leader requires the cultivation of certain spiritual disciplines that allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to arrange your interior life. Earl Creps explores twelve central spiritual disciplines―six personal and six organizational―that Christian leaders of all ages and denominations need if they are to change themselves and their churches to reach out to the culture around them.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 5, 2017
Written at a time when Baby Boomers and Gen Xers were struggling to coexist in the workplace and the church, and the talk was of moderns and postmoderns, there is much that we can learn as we through our current cultural changes.
Of the two sections, I found the organizational disciplines more beneficial perhaps because of where I'm currently at in my journey. I don't take exception to any of the personal disciplines (death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, or humility) or to the supporting arguments or examples provided within. These disciplines are routed a key foundational concept -- "missional leadership derives not from methods or strategies but from the work of the Holy Spirit to rearrange one's interior life." Personal transformation is where leadership begins -- without question. This then prepares us to go out, to be sent. It's not that the personal discipline section has no merit, it' actually of great value. It's just that I have spent far more time on the personal disciplines than on the organizational disciplines and find myself shifting into that domain more within my ministry.
There was a sentence in the harmony discipline that really struck a chord with me -- "I have met representatives of both camps who evangelize more for their perspective than they do for the gospel". The author further states that "this divergence can motivate all sides to hold on even tighter to their points of view." In an age of extreme polarization, the discipline of harmony is very much needed if the church is to be the beacon of light it was always meant to be. Likewise, the discipline of reflection becomes more and more critical as we work through difficult dilemmas and need to discern what's scriptural and what's preference; where do we adapt and where do we stand firm.
Of the two sections, I found the organizational disciplines more beneficial perhaps because of where I'm currently at in my journey. I don't take exception to any of the personal disciplines (death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, or humility) or to the supporting arguments or examples provided within. These disciplines are routed a key foundational concept -- "missional leadership derives not from methods or strategies but from the work of the Holy Spirit to rearrange one's interior life." Personal transformation is where leadership begins -- without question. This then prepares us to go out, to be sent. It's not that the personal discipline section has no merit, it' actually of great value. It's just that I have spent far more time on the personal disciplines than on the organizational disciplines and find myself shifting into that domain more within my ministry.
There was a sentence in the harmony discipline that really struck a chord with me -- "I have met representatives of both camps who evangelize more for their perspective than they do for the gospel". The author further states that "this divergence can motivate all sides to hold on even tighter to their points of view." In an age of extreme polarization, the discipline of harmony is very much needed if the church is to be the beacon of light it was always meant to be. Likewise, the discipline of reflection becomes more and more critical as we work through difficult dilemmas and need to discern what's scriptural and what's preference; where do we adapt and where do we stand firm.
February 2, 2021
I believe that this book explores some well needed areas and asks some really good questions about the cultural shift that we have and are still facing in the church. I think that the last chapter on passing the baton and the generations gaps was well needed. The problem I found with this book wasn’t so much the questions as the conclusions. Sometimes it felt like the postmodern approach was the one that was seen as necessary not because it was right but because it was new. I gleaned some good truths and most certainly felt like it applied to my fellowship but overall a good portion missed the mark for me.
June 23, 2008
In Off-Road Disciplines, Earl Creps posits that the normal “on-road” disciplines of prayer and Bible reading should be accompanied by encounters with God that occur unexpectedly—the kinds of encounters in which God beckons us to die to self and allow Jesus to assume central position in our lives. Such meetings are replete with potholes, bumps and bruises, not unlike going off-road in an ATV.
Pastor, consultant, and educator Earl Creps insists that if you want to reach the culture around you, you’re going to have follow Jesus “off-road.” Like many other church leaders today, he has discovered that the calling of the Church is not defined by how it’s organized or even by its doctrinal distinctions, but by the mission of God—“the work of the Holy Spirit to rearrange one’s interior life.” Personal transformation is crucial if we hope to be men and women whose passion for Christ is contagious, and whose vision for the world makes them people others want to emulate.
We have all heard of paradigm shifts; Creps discusses paradigm crashes— “disconnects between the American church and the culture it is commanded to reach.” Creps invites us on his own personal journey of realizing that, when it comes to the Church, one size does not fit all. His humility and vulnerability are evident as he walks the reader through his path to discovering twelve off-road disciplines. Among them are personal transformation, sacred realism, point of view, reverse mentoring, spiritual friendship, and decreasing.
Learn how disciplines like these can open you up to the unconventional, powerful ways God wants to shape you—to renew you by making it harder to confuse your culture with His mission. “Jesus did not construct an auditorium and demand that people come to Him. He went to them. A missional life means Jesus sending us outward, as the Father sent Him.”
Pastor, consultant, and educator Earl Creps insists that if you want to reach the culture around you, you’re going to have follow Jesus “off-road.” Like many other church leaders today, he has discovered that the calling of the Church is not defined by how it’s organized or even by its doctrinal distinctions, but by the mission of God—“the work of the Holy Spirit to rearrange one’s interior life.” Personal transformation is crucial if we hope to be men and women whose passion for Christ is contagious, and whose vision for the world makes them people others want to emulate.
We have all heard of paradigm shifts; Creps discusses paradigm crashes— “disconnects between the American church and the culture it is commanded to reach.” Creps invites us on his own personal journey of realizing that, when it comes to the Church, one size does not fit all. His humility and vulnerability are evident as he walks the reader through his path to discovering twelve off-road disciplines. Among them are personal transformation, sacred realism, point of view, reverse mentoring, spiritual friendship, and decreasing.
Learn how disciplines like these can open you up to the unconventional, powerful ways God wants to shape you—to renew you by making it harder to confuse your culture with His mission. “Jesus did not construct an auditorium and demand that people come to Him. He went to them. A missional life means Jesus sending us outward, as the Father sent Him.”
May 29, 2015
This is a book of doubtful value. My main critique is that Earl fails to see the danger in postmodern thought but rather than explaining that, as many other Christian authors do, he embraces it. I have pointed to many contradictions between the book and the Scriptures in my detailed review: http://correctmaple.blogspot.ca/2013/...
June 5, 2007
a good primer/guide for moderns seeking to understand and grow in a post modern world. Also a good aide to help post moderns relate to moderns
Want to read
February 28, 2009February 2009 Book of the Month
Recommended by Pastor J
Recommended by Pastor J
June 7, 2011
Great view of culture. Unique view of culture and the obligations Christians have in it.
June 9, 2012
Counter cultural disciplines for post moderns.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews