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The Road to Missional, Journey to the Center of the Church
It has recently become acceptable, and even fashionable, to refer to one's church as "missional." But many churches misunderstand the concept, thinking of "going missional" as simply being a necessary add-on to church-as-usual. This domestication of what is actually a very bold paradigm shift makes missional nothing more than one more trick to see church growth.
With a light hand and a pastoral spirit, Michael Frost points out how church practitioners are not quite there yet. He reestablishes the ground rules, redefines the terms accurately, and insists that the true prophetic essence of "being missional" comes through undiluted. This clear corrective will take ministry leaders from "not missional yet" to well on their way.
With a light hand and a pastoral spirit, Michael Frost points out how church practitioners are not quite there yet. He reestablishes the ground rules, redefines the terms accurately, and insists that the true prophetic essence of "being missional" comes through undiluted. This clear corrective will take ministry leaders from "not missional yet" to well on their way.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
29 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Michael Frost
61 books100 followersMichael Frost is the founding director of the Tinsley Institute at Morling College. He is an internationally recognised Australian missiologist and one of the leading voices in the missional church movement. His books are required reading in colleges and seminaries around the world and he is much sought after as an international conference speaker. Michael Frost blogs at mikefrost.net
See also other Michael Frosts.
See also other Michael Frosts.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 21, 2016
Last 2 chapters on shalom and going to our neighbours are excellent
April 7, 2021
This is a wonderful book. Frost writes clearly and with great stories about the missional, incarnational, communal life that the church is called to live and be. His chapter about the missio dei is foundational. The concept of slow evangelism provides a helpful look at holistic Christian life and witness while his chapter on church in the neighborhood is so important to how we see ministry and geography, and how important where we live is. I will be buying several copies of this and hoping to slingshot it toward others who exploring the mission of God and how the church relates to our missional God.
May 26, 2016
The word missional has been around for a while and everyone assumes they know what you're talking about even if you're talking about very different things. This is why Andrew Wilson can write about the Missional Muddle.
It's an issue that is not lost on one of the architects of all things missional and the author of The road to missional: Journey to the center of the church, Michael Frost. So Frost writes,
We now have missional conferences, missional church planting schemes, and all manner of missional programs. This is not to mention the fact that books on the missional paradigm are becoming a dime a dozen. So much so, in fact, that one author recently suggested to me me that the term missional is a bit old hat these days and that the shelves are sagging under the burden of missional church literature. Better, he advised, to use a different, more appealing title to engage potential readers. Ten years ago it never would have occurred to me that being missional would become hip, let alone that it would become passé.
I've read a few authors cited by Frost as missional; Martin Robinson, Stuart Murray & Dan Kimball and I was aware that Ed Stetzer is becoming increasingly widely read among Newfrontiers leaders but I'm not sure I'd read a book that directly addressed the idea of a missional church before. At least not one good enough to stick in my memory.
So I'm going to let Frost define the terms for us beginning with, 'what is mission?'
Mission is both the announcement and the demonstration of the reign of God through Christ. Mission is not primarily concerned with church growth. It is primarily concerned with the reign and rule of the Triune God. If the church grows as a result, so be it. (p.24)
A missional church then, is a church that realises this Missio Dei and has a 'wholesale and thorough reorientation of the church around mission' (p.16).
As a result mission cannot be reduced to simply spoken evangelism or acts of kindness and compassion. It's a bold attempt to transcend the old evangelism vs social justice debate, because to be missional is to declare that Jesus is Lord through what you say and what you do. It's evangelism plus, so to speak. But if you think it's just another word for doing some more evangelism, Frost says, you've missed the point.
The good news according to Frost is that our God reigns and rules through Christ and so whatever you do that alerts people to the fact of the rule of God is missional. The weakness of the book is that while it affirms this alerting of people by both 'announcement and demonstration' (p.35) almost all the focus and the examples are on 'demonstration'. So, if you are from a church that is concerned about the 'announcement' part of the equation you will find The Road to Missional a bit on the flimsy side, but if you were from a church that is looking for affirmation of the 'demonstration' side to the equation then there is much to love and encourage you.
For example, in the chapter on evangelism Frost, rightly in my opinion, talks of the need to declare Christ not just as Saviour but also as Lord. So he says that evangelism requires 'a radical reorientation' and that should 'involve the decision to acknowledge the reign of God through Christ and submit oneself to live under it'. I agree.
Again, Frost spells out a presentation of the Gospel that replaces the 'four spiritual laws' with this: designed for good, damaged by evil, restored for better and sent together to heal. Again all well and good but, for me, there was a missing descriptor.
So while I agree that 'evangelism is then much more about announcing the Lordship of Jesus than the sinfulness of the unbeliever' it is also about my sinfulness and my unbelief. Somewhere between restored for better and sent to heal, I need to repent. I really do. Every sinner on their way to sainthood does. I genuinely don't think there's another way to become a disciple of Jesus than to 'repent and believe'. I think Frost would agree, but I just wish he'd spelled it out.
There is so much here that I agreed with and loved; I loved the focus on Jesus; the focus on genuine community, peace and reconciliation, sharp questions that help you become aware of who your neighbour is, an emphasis on discipleship, an everything agenda that sees value in the life and work of everybody and not just church workers. I found myself agreeing and wanting to be increasingly 'missional'.
Having said all that, here are a few observations where this vision of church is missing a few important things. There was little mention of the role and place of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple or in the life of the church, so read The Spirit Filled Church by Terry Virgo along side this.
As a discussion on the centre of the church and what it means for a church to be missional there was also little on the role, place and structure of leadership for a church. Whether this is because missional can be super-imposed on any denominational or leadership structure or because it favours a flatter, more democratic approach to church life I'm not sure. Yet leadership remains crucial, I can think of several missional endeavours that failed or are failing for one very simple reason: poor or vague leadership.
These issues notwithstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and being provoked by Frost who is an engaging and interesting writer and I'd be interested in reading more.
It's an issue that is not lost on one of the architects of all things missional and the author of The road to missional: Journey to the center of the church, Michael Frost. So Frost writes,
We now have missional conferences, missional church planting schemes, and all manner of missional programs. This is not to mention the fact that books on the missional paradigm are becoming a dime a dozen. So much so, in fact, that one author recently suggested to me me that the term missional is a bit old hat these days and that the shelves are sagging under the burden of missional church literature. Better, he advised, to use a different, more appealing title to engage potential readers. Ten years ago it never would have occurred to me that being missional would become hip, let alone that it would become passé.
I've read a few authors cited by Frost as missional; Martin Robinson, Stuart Murray & Dan Kimball and I was aware that Ed Stetzer is becoming increasingly widely read among Newfrontiers leaders but I'm not sure I'd read a book that directly addressed the idea of a missional church before. At least not one good enough to stick in my memory.
So I'm going to let Frost define the terms for us beginning with, 'what is mission?'
Mission is both the announcement and the demonstration of the reign of God through Christ. Mission is not primarily concerned with church growth. It is primarily concerned with the reign and rule of the Triune God. If the church grows as a result, so be it. (p.24)
A missional church then, is a church that realises this Missio Dei and has a 'wholesale and thorough reorientation of the church around mission' (p.16).
As a result mission cannot be reduced to simply spoken evangelism or acts of kindness and compassion. It's a bold attempt to transcend the old evangelism vs social justice debate, because to be missional is to declare that Jesus is Lord through what you say and what you do. It's evangelism plus, so to speak. But if you think it's just another word for doing some more evangelism, Frost says, you've missed the point.
The good news according to Frost is that our God reigns and rules through Christ and so whatever you do that alerts people to the fact of the rule of God is missional. The weakness of the book is that while it affirms this alerting of people by both 'announcement and demonstration' (p.35) almost all the focus and the examples are on 'demonstration'. So, if you are from a church that is concerned about the 'announcement' part of the equation you will find The Road to Missional a bit on the flimsy side, but if you were from a church that is looking for affirmation of the 'demonstration' side to the equation then there is much to love and encourage you.
For example, in the chapter on evangelism Frost, rightly in my opinion, talks of the need to declare Christ not just as Saviour but also as Lord. So he says that evangelism requires 'a radical reorientation' and that should 'involve the decision to acknowledge the reign of God through Christ and submit oneself to live under it'. I agree.
Again, Frost spells out a presentation of the Gospel that replaces the 'four spiritual laws' with this: designed for good, damaged by evil, restored for better and sent together to heal. Again all well and good but, for me, there was a missing descriptor.
So while I agree that 'evangelism is then much more about announcing the Lordship of Jesus than the sinfulness of the unbeliever' it is also about my sinfulness and my unbelief. Somewhere between restored for better and sent to heal, I need to repent. I really do. Every sinner on their way to sainthood does. I genuinely don't think there's another way to become a disciple of Jesus than to 'repent and believe'. I think Frost would agree, but I just wish he'd spelled it out.
There is so much here that I agreed with and loved; I loved the focus on Jesus; the focus on genuine community, peace and reconciliation, sharp questions that help you become aware of who your neighbour is, an emphasis on discipleship, an everything agenda that sees value in the life and work of everybody and not just church workers. I found myself agreeing and wanting to be increasingly 'missional'.
Having said all that, here are a few observations where this vision of church is missing a few important things. There was little mention of the role and place of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple or in the life of the church, so read The Spirit Filled Church by Terry Virgo along side this.
As a discussion on the centre of the church and what it means for a church to be missional there was also little on the role, place and structure of leadership for a church. Whether this is because missional can be super-imposed on any denominational or leadership structure or because it favours a flatter, more democratic approach to church life I'm not sure. Yet leadership remains crucial, I can think of several missional endeavours that failed or are failing for one very simple reason: poor or vague leadership.
These issues notwithstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and being provoked by Frost who is an engaging and interesting writer and I'd be interested in reading more.
October 22, 2024
Frost details a Biblical lifestyle for modern day followers of Christ. He demonstrates how we can be incarnational of God’s kingdom in this hurting and unjust world. I recommend this book to anyone who wants direction in serving Jesus by loving the people around them.
December 10, 2019
A challenge for all believers to reconsider what it means to be “sent”.
February 9, 2021
A good book about what it means to be the missional church. Definitely inspires you to think about things differently.
January 28, 2024
This book is silly to me both in content and structure. It also has obvious white savior themes. Filled with cringy Christian language, Frost attempts to stretch an argument that could have been a journal article.
I disagree with a majority of points and conclusions that Frost has. I can appreciate his desire to get fundamentalist Christians to love people. His motivation, however, is rooted in colonial Christianity logic instead of the worth and dignity of all people beloved by God.
I disagree with a majority of points and conclusions that Frost has. I can appreciate his desire to get fundamentalist Christians to love people. His motivation, however, is rooted in colonial Christianity logic instead of the worth and dignity of all people beloved by God.
November 27, 2011
This is a good, readable, introduction to what it means to be missional. Frost is an evangelical from Australia and one of the leaders of the missional movement. This is my first Frost read. He's concerned that the word is overused and often misunderstood (misused?). The first part addresses evangelicals who equate it with evangelism. Since to be missional means alerting the world to the reign of God, it involves more than evangelism. As a mainliner working in a context where evangelism is not at the top of the list of interests, that part wasn't as helpful as the second half where he spells out the rest of the divine missional agenda. Working for the transformation of the world -- this world not the next.
I've read most of the missional folks and glean something from all of them. I think this will prove helpful. So, take a read. If you're not an evangelical keep plowing on because in time you'll hear a message that resonates!
I've read most of the missional folks and glean something from all of them. I think this will prove helpful. So, take a read. If you're not an evangelical keep plowing on because in time you'll hear a message that resonates!
January 9, 2013
This book by Michael Frost gives us a much needed work about the missional church. It is an attempt to help folks learn what the missional church should look like and how to get there. You can tell it is written by an educator by the way it is put together. It has a lot of information but was difficult for me to wrap my hands around the message. In part it is because of me. I am one who thinks that several themes should be in the church, at least 3 or 4 and not just a single one. I did enjoy reading it and think it would be helpful for others.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
September 16, 2013
The Road to Missional paints a picture of how we as Christians should live our lives as the church in the world. Michael Frost highlights on scriptures and where God reigns and how it should reflect on our own lives. I especially loved to learn what he had to say about the historical account of Jesus sending off his followers two by two and how he was proclaiming that God ruled within the people and no longer in the temple. It was a good book and truly made me see things better in how I need to live as a daughter of The King.
March 3, 2014
A very good read on a definition of missional
Having read most of Frost's writings, this is a clear & concise summation of what it means to be "missional." I think it'll help us all use the same verbiage as we discuss the topic since so much of what is called "missional" is most certainly not. If you're new to the discussion or unsure of exactly what it means to be "missional" this in an excellent book to start with.
Having read most of Frost's writings, this is a clear & concise summation of what it means to be "missional." I think it'll help us all use the same verbiage as we discuss the topic since so much of what is called "missional" is most certainly not. If you're new to the discussion or unsure of exactly what it means to be "missional" this in an excellent book to start with.
January 29, 2016
One of the early criticisms leveled against the Missional Church Movement was that it was too academic and never landed. Michael Frost has done a very admirable job of helping to land the missional conversation in very practical ways. It is not a "how to" type book but it does have some really good advice and examples. For those who are tracking and reading about the missional church I would add this to the list of books to read.
May 25, 2015
A timely and important book, reclaiming the 'missional' word for what it is - a life, not just a way of being church or doing evangelism. This was a crucial and God-given read for me, urging me to a long obedience in the same direction. Michael Frost's voice continues to be that of a prophet.
July 2, 2012
Lots & Lots to think about & discuss in this book. Will mostly likely read it again, hopefully with others so we can discuss it.
July 25, 2012
Top book - clearly sets out the difference between mission and evangelism.
Easy to read, engaging and life giving
Easy to read, engaging and life giving
June 7, 2013
Great read for those wanting to get a grip on the missional conversation. Michael Frost is a great guy too!
November 21, 2016
An affirming book, however nothing new. I have heard the author speak numerous times and so the impact was less than it otherwise may have been.
April 28, 2017
Glad I finally got around to this. So good! Frost doesn't mince words. And in some cases seems to be spoiling for a fight. But on balance his work is insightful and important.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews