A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation: Embarking on a Journey of Transformation

by Richard Rouse, Craig Van Gelder

The roster of books on leadership is full of high theory and grand expositions of biblical principles. But there is precious little practical advice for regular people committed to releasing positive change within their local churches. Here one of the church's foremost theoreticians and one of its most accomplished transformational leaders combine strengths to clarify both how sound congregational transformation can be accomplished by regular folks and the very Christ-centered foundations upon which transformation must rest. With unflinching honesty and a deep, knowing sense for the joy that comes from Spirit-led change, the authors guide the reader on a quest for a future church alive with the abundant life God intended. A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation reveals seven transformational keys, using real-life case studies to illustrate each key. A reflective milestone framework, including discovery questions for each chapter, ground the book in a practical process.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Chauncey Lattimer]

"Does the Church Have a Future?" The title to the first chapter of this book is certainly an interest grabber. Most are in agreement that "church" as it has been traditionally experienced is in peril. So what is one to do? The answer is to make some necessary and timely changes. They utilize for a starting point Reggie McNeal's "six new realitites": the collapse of the church culture; the shift from church growth to kingdom growth; the 'new reformation' - releasing God's people for ministry; the return to spiritual formation; the shift from planning to preparation; and, the rise of apostolic leadership.

The premise of the book: "that becoming an effective witness to the gospel in today's world -- becoming a missional congregation--requires us to revision the way we are the church in order to more faithfully do church."

According to the authors, becoming a "missional congregation" means to 'rethink their identity and to reframe their approach to ministry in order to more faithfully participate in God's mission." They go on to say that this happens in response to the invitation of "God's active presence in their congregations and their larger context."

Their primary contribution is the book is what they term the 'transformational keys.' Chapters 3-9 provide an explanation of the following seven keys:

1. Congregations that have a clear vision for ministry are more likely to move forward together than those who seem to lack a common purpose.

2. Congregations that focus on becoming a discipling community as they deeply engage their context are more likely to develop a healthy life that moves beyond institutional survival or just serving the needs of its members.

3. Developing healthy, Spirit-led leadership can help cultivate a positive climate change within the faith community.

4. It is imperative that care and intentionality be taken to build a supportive, missional leadership team that is comprised of both staff and lay leaders.

5. It is important for healthy, Spirit-led leadership to stay the course when facing conflict by practicing truth telling as an opportunity for learning and growing together.

6. A congregation that wants to move forward in mission will find it necessary to practice stewardship as it builds financial viability.

7. It is important to celebrate our successes along the way and, especially, the accomplishments of others.

Though I am not a reader that enjoys hypothetical and contrived 'case-studies,' Appendix A provides a good example of just what a 'strategic plan' would look like for "Amazing Grace Church." Overall, the book was a good read.

[J. David Knecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good volume to begin to start the process of change in your church. A very nuts and bolts book There are helpful bibliographies at the end of each session that can help lead to deeper discussions in those areas where your congregation may have to reform in order to embrace a more missional outlook. There are good discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Would be appropriate for a leadership team to read through and then find a chapter or two to work on more thoroughly.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

a couple of times I wished it was written in a more engaging style, and I also think the authors make the journey of transformation seem a little too smooth.

but all in all, lots of good stuff, quotes and ideas and a timeline which I will post and use.