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The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating Apostolic Movements
Alan Hirsch's paradigm-shifting classic remains the definitive statement of the church as dynamic missional movement. The bestselling first edition ignited a conversation about how to harness the power of movements for the future growth of the church. In this major update, Hirsch shares significant insights gained along the way, provides fresh new examples of growing churches, and reflects on the last ten years of the missional movement. The new edition has been thoroughly updated and revised throughout and includes charts, diagrams, an expanded glossary of terms, new appendices, an index, a new foreword by Ed Stetzer, and a new afterword by Jeff Vanderstelt.
Known for his innovative approach to mission, Hirsch is widely acknowledged as a thought leader and mission strategist for churches across the Western world. He considers The Forgotten Ways the guiding work to all of his other writings. The book explores the factors that come together to generate high-impact, exponentially explosive, spiritually vibrant Jesus movements in any time and context. This extensive update to Hirsch's influential work offers a system of six vital keys to movements that will continue shape the future of the missional movement for years to come.
Known for his innovative approach to mission, Hirsch is widely acknowledged as a thought leader and mission strategist for churches across the Western world. He considers The Forgotten Ways the guiding work to all of his other writings. The book explores the factors that come together to generate high-impact, exponentially explosive, spiritually vibrant Jesus movements in any time and context. This extensive update to Hirsch's influential work offers a system of six vital keys to movements that will continue shape the future of the missional movement for years to come.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
108 people are currently reading
1093 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
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August 9, 2007
This is a book of hope for the church. It has moved past the season in which books on ministry and approach emphasize what has been done wrong and finally gets around to showing new patterns. Though, these new patterns really reflect old and present patterns. Looking at the early church and the church in China Hirsch examines what he calls the Apostolic Genius, finding the traits and emphases that seem to be at the root of explosive missional movements.
March 22, 2014
This is a really good book to read if you are a part of any sort of church leadership and want to continue to lead the church through the mid-century. It reads like a dense college textbook, but that's a good thing. Many times I felt like he was applying principles from the Perspectives course to our own native cultures.
May 18, 2017
This book challenges the mode of church we all know as outdated and ineffective. Allen Hirsch points back to the early church and the underground church in China as ecclesial models of a different paradigm. He challenged my thinking and if nothing else, refocused me on the urgency and centrality of our mission as Christian's. That urgency should provoke me and others to do whatever it takes to be effective missionaries in our own context. He posits that it's going to take reimagining church in a different way... and I'm willing to take his argument seriously and give it thought and prayer.
January 25, 2018
Alan writes with a ton of thoughtful insight. The first two chapters are beneficial for ANY ministry leader. He's a bit wordy, but it's worth the read if you can get past that. Whether you agree or not, it's a good read for ministry leaders in the 21st century. He gives you a lot to ponder.
Want to read
November 14, 2023Recommended at the Exponential Conference by Jeff Stark.
August 3, 2024
Read this if you are dissatisfied. Do not read this if you get easily offended.
December 24, 2022
Es uno de los pocos libros que he leído más de una vez, y lo volvería a leer. No es un libro sencillo de digerir a pesar del esfuerzo del autor. Por la cantidad y calidad de la información puedo categorizar este escrito como una tesis doctoral.
El tema es relevante y urgente de atender. Cuestiona y contrasta ni más ni menos que el modelo de la iglesia actual a la luz de la historia y de la narrativa neotestamentaria. Cataloga este paradigma como la iglesia de la Cristiandad (a la época en que Constantino abre las puertas del imperio a la religión cristiana).
0. PUNTO DE PARTIDA
Desde este punto de partida diagnostica a la iglesia actual con una espiritualidad dualista, en la que contrapone lo secular de lo sagrado, desvirtuando la doctrina fundamental de Israel y por extensión de la iglesia apostólica.
El esquema que propone quedaría algo así:
La iglesia apostólica es el modelo que se multiplicaba de manera orgánica.
La iglesia de la cristiandad se convirtió en atraccional en la que solo puede sumar, pero de una manera artificial (cuando se es cristiano por nacer en un lugar o una familia).
La secularización está llevando a la decadencia el modelo anterior, y trayendo un escenario para volver a las raíces.
El planteamiento para una solución viable
Partiendo del monoteísmo bíblico, un solo Dios y Señor de todo, busca encarnar lo que el denomina el ADN misional que, es sencillo en su estructura, reproducible en su naturaleza y sostenible en su organización.
El mismo concluye que, “Este libro ha tratado de sacar a la luz un potencial perdido que ha permanecido escondido en lo más íntimo del corazón del pueblo de Dios durante demasiado tiempo”.
El centro de este modelo es que hay un solo Señor de todo, el cual derriba el politeísmo práctico, en el que hay un señor para el domingo en la comunidad eclesiástica, pero hay otro para el área laboral, otros para el arte, la ciencia, la educación, la economía y la política… donde los creyentes rinden cultos al ocuparse de ello deslindándose de su fe.
Este ADN consta de al menos 5 ingredientes que desarrollará a lo largo del libro, en el que cada uno detona una alternativa y solución al problema planteado del ya mencionado modelo.
1. EL DISCIPULADO
Se trata de llenar todo el mundo, es decir, cada esfera, como la educación, la política, las ciencias, el ocio, el arte, y cada aspecto de la cultura, de imitadores de Jesucristo. Encarnando el evangelio en cada momento y situación, intencionalmente irrumpiendo en misiones especializadas en cada esfera.
2. IMPULSO ENCARNACIONAL
Delimita y enfoca la misión; no muchas misiones de la iglesia, sino una sólo y única misión de Dios: la de bendecir a cada parte de la creación. En este enfoque todos somos misioneros, procurando evitar el modelo ya mencionado, siendo intencionalmente no atraccional, y contextualizando significativamente las implicaicones del evangelio en cada cultura donde se encarna.
Dice: “La iglesia es la expresión cultural del pueblo de Dios en un lugar concreto”.
3. ENTORNO APOSTÓLICO
Se refiera a las categoría y al alcance del liderazgo. Uno que es capaz de ver los tiempos cambiantes y adaptarse o contextualizar la misión de Dios a cada rubro y cultura. Uno que no solo guarda la doctrina sana sino que emprende a nuevos territorios de misión y crea un entorno de crecimiento y desarrollo de los dones dados al pueblo de Dios.
En este capítulo dedica un apartado a los ministerios mencionados en Efesios 4, en lo que señala que, el modelo de la Cristiandad bloqueó las funciones (no cargos) apostólicas y proféticas y evangelísticas, ya que no era necesario alcanzar nuevos terrenos porque todos nacían cristianos.
Para mí este capítulo es crucial en el replanteamiento de “hacer iglesia”, ya que, la estructuración de las congregaciones crean sistemas artificiales que son difíciles de reproducir y sostener: cuesta demasiado una congregación, en dinero y recursos, para que solo el 10% esté activo en el “ministerio” y los demás queden sin proceso de madurez.
Este modelo apostólico, refiriéndose a la iglesia primitiva, no requería mucha estructura, y la que había no hacía dependencia, ni bloqueaba el crecimiento del otro 90% de las congregaciones.
De una manera muy resumida describe estos ministerios (funciones, no cargos) de la siguiente manera:
3.1 Apostólico: Un estrategia misionero que empuja hacia nuevos terrenos.
3.2 Profético: El que desafía a salir del confort y acudir a cubrir necesidades específicas del mundo.
3.3 Evangelista: El que supervisa y encarna la estrategia del equipo apostólico y atiendo a los reclamos proféticos.
3.4 El pastor y maestro: Desarrollan las comunidades y coordinan los propósitos del discipulado, así como las relaciones de la comunidad que adora a Dios.
4. SISTEMAS ORGÁNICOS
Busca apuntar a que una estructura eclesiástica mecánica es poco reproducible y crea pastordependencia. Así como los organismos vivos se coordinan para llevar a cabo una función, propone que las congregaciones deben simplificar en aras de la sostenibilidad.
Señala que, las iglesias más “exitosas” cuando bien va, clonan una congregación casi idéntica, siendo esto no natural. La reproducción conlleva diferencias y similitudes. Reflexiona en ¿qué pasaría si cada congregación vive y se compromete para plantar otras dos, y luego estas continúan con esa naturalidad reproductora?
Aquí menciona casos de la iglesia clandestina de China que, no poder reunirse en lugares públicos, y que sus reuniones no deben pasar de 15 personas (por el decreto gubernamental), se vio orillado a crear una estructura más simple, a cargar un equipo más ligero, y a reproducir y preparar sus propios líderes. Siendo esto una característica al contexto del crecimiento de la iglesia primitiva de Hechos.
Los creyentes en China bajo este esquema, se multiplicaron de 2 a 60 Millones en tan sólo 40 años. Sin una estructura robusta, sin edificios bellos ni profesionalización de los líderes. ¿No será por aquí el modelo más funcional y adaptable ante los cambios disruptivos del siglo XXI?
5. Communitas (no sólo comunidad)
Es un poco complejo el concepto técnico, pero a riesgo de sintetizar demasiado, se refiere a una comunidad que emprende un desafío en conjunto. Desafío o peligro que los une. Respalda esto en los ejemplos bíblicos del pueblo de Dios (saliendo de su tierra Abraham; el éxodo; la muralla de Jericó, etc).
Su tesis es que, el peligro y la crisis ayudan a desarrollar el potencial en cada persona, a enfocarse en lo más crítico, y a empatizar con su compañero de batalla. Sin misión hay ociosidad, y por ende muchos problemas internos en las congregaciones.
Coloca una fantástica analogía de los peces y las peceras, aseverando que el modelo de cristiandad genera un entorno artificial y dualista para la fe (no que no existan creyentes ni crecimiento), en el que los líderes son los que dan de comer, cambian la temperatura del agua y les evita peligros y contratiempos a los peces… mismos que si salen al océano no podrían sobrevivir.
Para concluir y ratificar su tesis, refiere lo siguiente:
Si quisiéramos plantar una iglesia partiendo de la mega iglesia local como punto de referencia, con toda su refinada profesionalidad, unos grupos de alabanza geniales, un sistema de comunicación excepcional, una escuela dominical con monitores para niños y jóvenes, programas eficaces de grupos pequeños y todo su atractivo; gran parte de ello sencillamente no es reproducible; al menos para la gran mayoría de cristianos normales y corrientes […] Tom Peters dice que una estructura excesivamente engorrosa, en un entorno globalizado y cambiante, es una ‘bomba de relojería’ para la gestión. Las organizaciones más pequeñas y con más capacidad de reacción son las que prosperarán en el nuevo milenio.
Es demasiado para digerir en una sola leída. Pero suscribo tantas cosas que ya había pensado desde antes, y creo que Hirsch tiene un buen diagnostico y planteamiento. Por lo que su tesis debe ser el tema de conversación en temas eclesiásticos en este presente siglo.
La Cristiandad está llegando a su último tiempo. La iglesia institucional de Occidente deberá adecuarse o morir. Europa es un ejemplo de esto. El liberalismo teológico es un indicador de la decadencia de un movimiento, es la reacción final a un mal modelo. No es la solución porque es reaccionario y no reproducible.
Los datos, la situación actual en EE. UU., el pasado inmediato de Europa e incluso la pandemia, nos están gritando algo (revelando). ¿Qué hará la iglesia? La respuesta siempre está en volver a recuperar ese ADN misional que se encontraba con tanta vitalidad en la iglesia de Hechos, y que se encuentra en cualquier movimiento fuerte y vivo de éxito en los anales de la Historia.
Que Dios nos ayude a leer estos signos.
El tema es relevante y urgente de atender. Cuestiona y contrasta ni más ni menos que el modelo de la iglesia actual a la luz de la historia y de la narrativa neotestamentaria. Cataloga este paradigma como la iglesia de la Cristiandad (a la época en que Constantino abre las puertas del imperio a la religión cristiana).
0. PUNTO DE PARTIDA
Desde este punto de partida diagnostica a la iglesia actual con una espiritualidad dualista, en la que contrapone lo secular de lo sagrado, desvirtuando la doctrina fundamental de Israel y por extensión de la iglesia apostólica.
El esquema que propone quedaría algo así:
La iglesia apostólica es el modelo que se multiplicaba de manera orgánica.
La iglesia de la cristiandad se convirtió en atraccional en la que solo puede sumar, pero de una manera artificial (cuando se es cristiano por nacer en un lugar o una familia).
La secularización está llevando a la decadencia el modelo anterior, y trayendo un escenario para volver a las raíces.
El planteamiento para una solución viable
Partiendo del monoteísmo bíblico, un solo Dios y Señor de todo, busca encarnar lo que el denomina el ADN misional que, es sencillo en su estructura, reproducible en su naturaleza y sostenible en su organización.
El mismo concluye que, “Este libro ha tratado de sacar a la luz un potencial perdido que ha permanecido escondido en lo más íntimo del corazón del pueblo de Dios durante demasiado tiempo”.
El centro de este modelo es que hay un solo Señor de todo, el cual derriba el politeísmo práctico, en el que hay un señor para el domingo en la comunidad eclesiástica, pero hay otro para el área laboral, otros para el arte, la ciencia, la educación, la economía y la política… donde los creyentes rinden cultos al ocuparse de ello deslindándose de su fe.
Este ADN consta de al menos 5 ingredientes que desarrollará a lo largo del libro, en el que cada uno detona una alternativa y solución al problema planteado del ya mencionado modelo.
1. EL DISCIPULADO
Se trata de llenar todo el mundo, es decir, cada esfera, como la educación, la política, las ciencias, el ocio, el arte, y cada aspecto de la cultura, de imitadores de Jesucristo. Encarnando el evangelio en cada momento y situación, intencionalmente irrumpiendo en misiones especializadas en cada esfera.
2. IMPULSO ENCARNACIONAL
Delimita y enfoca la misión; no muchas misiones de la iglesia, sino una sólo y única misión de Dios: la de bendecir a cada parte de la creación. En este enfoque todos somos misioneros, procurando evitar el modelo ya mencionado, siendo intencionalmente no atraccional, y contextualizando significativamente las implicaicones del evangelio en cada cultura donde se encarna.
Dice: “La iglesia es la expresión cultural del pueblo de Dios en un lugar concreto”.
3. ENTORNO APOSTÓLICO
Se refiera a las categoría y al alcance del liderazgo. Uno que es capaz de ver los tiempos cambiantes y adaptarse o contextualizar la misión de Dios a cada rubro y cultura. Uno que no solo guarda la doctrina sana sino que emprende a nuevos territorios de misión y crea un entorno de crecimiento y desarrollo de los dones dados al pueblo de Dios.
En este capítulo dedica un apartado a los ministerios mencionados en Efesios 4, en lo que señala que, el modelo de la Cristiandad bloqueó las funciones (no cargos) apostólicas y proféticas y evangelísticas, ya que no era necesario alcanzar nuevos terrenos porque todos nacían cristianos.
Para mí este capítulo es crucial en el replanteamiento de “hacer iglesia”, ya que, la estructuración de las congregaciones crean sistemas artificiales que son difíciles de reproducir y sostener: cuesta demasiado una congregación, en dinero y recursos, para que solo el 10% esté activo en el “ministerio” y los demás queden sin proceso de madurez.
Este modelo apostólico, refiriéndose a la iglesia primitiva, no requería mucha estructura, y la que había no hacía dependencia, ni bloqueaba el crecimiento del otro 90% de las congregaciones.
De una manera muy resumida describe estos ministerios (funciones, no cargos) de la siguiente manera:
3.1 Apostólico: Un estrategia misionero que empuja hacia nuevos terrenos.
3.2 Profético: El que desafía a salir del confort y acudir a cubrir necesidades específicas del mundo.
3.3 Evangelista: El que supervisa y encarna la estrategia del equipo apostólico y atiendo a los reclamos proféticos.
3.4 El pastor y maestro: Desarrollan las comunidades y coordinan los propósitos del discipulado, así como las relaciones de la comunidad que adora a Dios.
4. SISTEMAS ORGÁNICOS
Busca apuntar a que una estructura eclesiástica mecánica es poco reproducible y crea pastordependencia. Así como los organismos vivos se coordinan para llevar a cabo una función, propone que las congregaciones deben simplificar en aras de la sostenibilidad.
Señala que, las iglesias más “exitosas” cuando bien va, clonan una congregación casi idéntica, siendo esto no natural. La reproducción conlleva diferencias y similitudes. Reflexiona en ¿qué pasaría si cada congregación vive y se compromete para plantar otras dos, y luego estas continúan con esa naturalidad reproductora?
Aquí menciona casos de la iglesia clandestina de China que, no poder reunirse en lugares públicos, y que sus reuniones no deben pasar de 15 personas (por el decreto gubernamental), se vio orillado a crear una estructura más simple, a cargar un equipo más ligero, y a reproducir y preparar sus propios líderes. Siendo esto una característica al contexto del crecimiento de la iglesia primitiva de Hechos.
Los creyentes en China bajo este esquema, se multiplicaron de 2 a 60 Millones en tan sólo 40 años. Sin una estructura robusta, sin edificios bellos ni profesionalización de los líderes. ¿No será por aquí el modelo más funcional y adaptable ante los cambios disruptivos del siglo XXI?
5. Communitas (no sólo comunidad)
Es un poco complejo el concepto técnico, pero a riesgo de sintetizar demasiado, se refiere a una comunidad que emprende un desafío en conjunto. Desafío o peligro que los une. Respalda esto en los ejemplos bíblicos del pueblo de Dios (saliendo de su tierra Abraham; el éxodo; la muralla de Jericó, etc).
Su tesis es que, el peligro y la crisis ayudan a desarrollar el potencial en cada persona, a enfocarse en lo más crítico, y a empatizar con su compañero de batalla. Sin misión hay ociosidad, y por ende muchos problemas internos en las congregaciones.
Coloca una fantástica analogía de los peces y las peceras, aseverando que el modelo de cristiandad genera un entorno artificial y dualista para la fe (no que no existan creyentes ni crecimiento), en el que los líderes son los que dan de comer, cambian la temperatura del agua y les evita peligros y contratiempos a los peces… mismos que si salen al océano no podrían sobrevivir.
Para concluir y ratificar su tesis, refiere lo siguiente:
Si quisiéramos plantar una iglesia partiendo de la mega iglesia local como punto de referencia, con toda su refinada profesionalidad, unos grupos de alabanza geniales, un sistema de comunicación excepcional, una escuela dominical con monitores para niños y jóvenes, programas eficaces de grupos pequeños y todo su atractivo; gran parte de ello sencillamente no es reproducible; al menos para la gran mayoría de cristianos normales y corrientes […] Tom Peters dice que una estructura excesivamente engorrosa, en un entorno globalizado y cambiante, es una ‘bomba de relojería’ para la gestión. Las organizaciones más pequeñas y con más capacidad de reacción son las que prosperarán en el nuevo milenio.
Es demasiado para digerir en una sola leída. Pero suscribo tantas cosas que ya había pensado desde antes, y creo que Hirsch tiene un buen diagnostico y planteamiento. Por lo que su tesis debe ser el tema de conversación en temas eclesiásticos en este presente siglo.
La Cristiandad está llegando a su último tiempo. La iglesia institucional de Occidente deberá adecuarse o morir. Europa es un ejemplo de esto. El liberalismo teológico es un indicador de la decadencia de un movimiento, es la reacción final a un mal modelo. No es la solución porque es reaccionario y no reproducible.
Los datos, la situación actual en EE. UU., el pasado inmediato de Europa e incluso la pandemia, nos están gritando algo (revelando). ¿Qué hará la iglesia? La respuesta siempre está en volver a recuperar ese ADN misional que se encontraba con tanta vitalidad en la iglesia de Hechos, y que se encuentra en cualquier movimiento fuerte y vivo de éxito en los anales de la Historia.
Que Dios nos ayude a leer estos signos.
August 24, 2016
I must admit, I entered this book with a fair amount of skepticism (Do we really need yet another book about 'church strategy?' Won't this just pitch one more 'programmatic outreach idea?' Is this going to be one of those hip, snarky, cynical books about how utterly terrible the Western church has failed its mission?) and I was completely blown away.
First of all, this work is remarkably researched. Hirsch is conversant with social sciences, anthropological research, and even biology, and he also speaks from his own dramatic ministry experiences in Australia. This all combines to produce a voice with integrity and authority, in my mind, and it's a voice worth listening to. In addition, he is both honest and hopeful. Hirsch doesn't pull punches when he feels the need to call something out, but he refuses to give into a sense of nihilism or hopelessness regarding the future of the church. My only complaint would be that he really pulls on a "Euro-centric" narrative of church history, which revolves primarily around Constantine, while the global church stands on a pretty different story. That's a fairly minor gripe, and I still completely agree with the conclusions he reaches.
I really can't recommend this highly enough to anyone mired in the Western church, but especially if you are a leader of some sort, this is absolutely essential reading. As a parachurch non-profit worker, I cannot wait to implement Hirsch's insights. Highly, highly recommended!
First of all, this work is remarkably researched. Hirsch is conversant with social sciences, anthropological research, and even biology, and he also speaks from his own dramatic ministry experiences in Australia. This all combines to produce a voice with integrity and authority, in my mind, and it's a voice worth listening to. In addition, he is both honest and hopeful. Hirsch doesn't pull punches when he feels the need to call something out, but he refuses to give into a sense of nihilism or hopelessness regarding the future of the church. My only complaint would be that he really pulls on a "Euro-centric" narrative of church history, which revolves primarily around Constantine, while the global church stands on a pretty different story. That's a fairly minor gripe, and I still completely agree with the conclusions he reaches.
I really can't recommend this highly enough to anyone mired in the Western church, but especially if you are a leader of some sort, this is absolutely essential reading. As a parachurch non-profit worker, I cannot wait to implement Hirsch's insights. Highly, highly recommended!
May 29, 2013
It's difficult to think of a more influential voice in the missional church movement at this than Alan Hirsch. Maybe his writing partner Mike Frost?
Their books have not only defined the questions we need to be asking about church in our time and context but gone a long way towards providing the answers.
The Forgotten Ways Handbook is a crucial piece of that. The original volume, The Forgotten Ways was an erudite discussion of the shape, structure and direction of missional church. The Handbook is a down-to-earth, practical guide to putting the ideas of missional church into action. Whether as an individual or a community, this resource will help you think through contextualizing the Gospel and shaping your life along the path of the missio dei, the mission of God in this world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Their books have not only defined the questions we need to be asking about church in our time and context but gone a long way towards providing the answers.
The Forgotten Ways Handbook is a crucial piece of that. The original volume, The Forgotten Ways was an erudite discussion of the shape, structure and direction of missional church. The Handbook is a down-to-earth, practical guide to putting the ideas of missional church into action. Whether as an individual or a community, this resource will help you think through contextualizing the Gospel and shaping your life along the path of the missio dei, the mission of God in this world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
May 8, 2017
It's an intellectual's book, but not in a dry kind of way. Alan isn't afraid either of coining new terminology or of importing terminology from other areas and accomodating it for use with missiology and ecclesiology. He is an expert in living systems theory and makes handy use of this field in his analysis and suggestions for the church. It is definitely not like the books you are used to reading on missiology and ecclesiology, and for that Hirsch deserves accolades. Our Aussie friend Alan Hirsch has found himself with the punctuated habit of breathing life into stale systems.
Don't let the strange new terms throw you off. I suggest you pick up this book if you are at all interested in the church's system and mission.
Don't let the strange new terms throw you off. I suggest you pick up this book if you are at all interested in the church's system and mission.
July 30, 2011
This is a tremendous book for many reasons. It is packed with insightful teaching and comment about how mission is meant to be. There are many observations on the ‘church’ (particularly in the West) and examples that show how far it has departed from its origins. Many of these observations ring true and will resonate with readers on the fringes of traditional forms of church. ‘Jesus is Lord’ is the central element of inspired movements and the author calls for the removal of unnecessary traditional interpretations and theological paraphernalia that often obscure the core message and a (re)discovery of mission.
Read this book, meditate on it and engage with others on the reactivation of the missional church.
Read this book, meditate on it and engage with others on the reactivation of the missional church.
April 3, 2018
For starters, I have come to appreciate Alan (and Deb) Hirsch as one of the most outspoken advocates for the missional movement. There are many texts that outline what the being “missional” entails but Hirsch puts words into practice and I am grateful for that. One of my pet-peeves is when folks say “What does that look like?” when referring to mission in our neighborhoods because they are seeking a practical response to their question but it is usually asked in the rhetorical. Often when this question is posed, they poopoo ideas or offer criticism to people doing practical applications of contextual ministry. We have to bridge the gap from theoretical (and rhetorical) processing to contextual expressions of lived Gospel in the world. Alan Hirsch has given his approach to bridging that gap and The Forgotten Ways serves as a manual for people seeking to do mission in their context and following the lead of the Holy Spirit. And while this is not a manifesto that seeks the fall of institutionalism, Hirsch points towards ways that we have lost Jesus’ vision of ecclesia. This book highlights the ideas of how we can transform with world in Christ’s name by “nurturing” the “seed” of the Gospel message and “removing whatever hinders it” while the “Holy Spirit connects us with Christ.” In his expose of the institutional church, Hirsch seeks to discern the Spirit’s calling in the world with more “flexible structures” that help us rebuild discipleship and incarnational ministry.
While some of this text is presented in other books by Hirsch there were a few places in which I found a sense of urgency and places that lead us to the practical applications that many other voices in the missional movement lack. In his section on disciple-making, Hirsch outlines the idea that religion has been co-opted by consumerism and that the Western church has lost a great deal of identity because we no longer seek God’s ways but our own. In response to this, we either must “redeem the rhythms and structures of consumerism” or “initiate a thoroughly prophetic challenge to consumerism’s overarching control on our lives.” But this is a tall order because we need to have an “alternative model of reality” for people to engage. This has been done before and examples of this model are in the works but creating an alternative approach to life that is opposed to the culture is a gargantuan hurdle. Embodied practices are what is presented next as a response to the idea of discipleship through an alternative model. Hirsch names St. Francis, Count Zinzendorf, and the Moravians as examples of teachers and/or communities who have responded in this direction. Soma Communities is another example that I have previously encountered and I find that their discipleship-through-mission model is a wonderful expression of this forgotten model. The text then leads into discussion of leadership. We are given the idea that discipleship is the key to any leadership model. Also, Hirsch adds to the conversation of leadership by giving a critique of academy-based training that has been hampering the growth of discipleship in our faith communities.
The next chapter focuses on Hirsch’s idea of “Incarnational Mission.” In this idea of ministry, we should see ourselves as Jesus’ hands and feet in the world and share our lives with others as Jesus calls us to. Now this is a broad statement but what Hirsch is calling us to consider the contextual aspects of this ministry and discover ways in which we may be missing opportunities of the Spirit in our midst. This is best presented in the conversation on “third-place mission” where people and places are connected through the work of the gathered in a certain place. Where Hirsch lacks here is by not defining that third places are where people feel belonging. During Christendom, people felt belonging within a church setting, but in post-Christendom the western world has lost its attraction to this form of communal gathering and have been searching for belonging in their neighborhoods. Therefore, people are identifying yoga studios and fire halls as their place of belonging and the churches are losing their grip on people's sense of belonging. As missional leaders in the community, we have to find places where the Holy Spirit has opened for us to “deliver the message of Jesus in radically different and constantly changing cultural conditions.” The crux of the argument can be found in two parts. First, “The missional-incarnational approach requires identification with a local people group, cultural sensitivity, and courageous innovation to authentically fulfill its mission.” Second, Hirsch presents a model of our belief system in that he suggests that our current theological model is out of order. He states that we need to form our Christology before we form our Missiology and then that should determine our Ecclesiology. For too long we have missed the intention of the ecclesia that Christ initiated.
Hirsch’s discussion on liminal communitas and organic systems were important conversations to the text but the general ideas of these section were presented in other sections of the book. There is a lot of great information in this book but he often repeats himself and tries to say a certain idea in many forms which result in a similar conclusion. The Forgotten Ways is a great text and should be read by many leaders and laity in the Church but there is a lack of historical voices that explore the practices of the past that he is alluding to throughout the book. I am grateful for this text and it will be a reference for me in the future. Alan Hirsch is attempting to animate the missional movement and this text allows us to explore the reasoning behind the impulse and discernment.
While some of this text is presented in other books by Hirsch there were a few places in which I found a sense of urgency and places that lead us to the practical applications that many other voices in the missional movement lack. In his section on disciple-making, Hirsch outlines the idea that religion has been co-opted by consumerism and that the Western church has lost a great deal of identity because we no longer seek God’s ways but our own. In response to this, we either must “redeem the rhythms and structures of consumerism” or “initiate a thoroughly prophetic challenge to consumerism’s overarching control on our lives.” But this is a tall order because we need to have an “alternative model of reality” for people to engage. This has been done before and examples of this model are in the works but creating an alternative approach to life that is opposed to the culture is a gargantuan hurdle. Embodied practices are what is presented next as a response to the idea of discipleship through an alternative model. Hirsch names St. Francis, Count Zinzendorf, and the Moravians as examples of teachers and/or communities who have responded in this direction. Soma Communities is another example that I have previously encountered and I find that their discipleship-through-mission model is a wonderful expression of this forgotten model. The text then leads into discussion of leadership. We are given the idea that discipleship is the key to any leadership model. Also, Hirsch adds to the conversation of leadership by giving a critique of academy-based training that has been hampering the growth of discipleship in our faith communities.
The next chapter focuses on Hirsch’s idea of “Incarnational Mission.” In this idea of ministry, we should see ourselves as Jesus’ hands and feet in the world and share our lives with others as Jesus calls us to. Now this is a broad statement but what Hirsch is calling us to consider the contextual aspects of this ministry and discover ways in which we may be missing opportunities of the Spirit in our midst. This is best presented in the conversation on “third-place mission” where people and places are connected through the work of the gathered in a certain place. Where Hirsch lacks here is by not defining that third places are where people feel belonging. During Christendom, people felt belonging within a church setting, but in post-Christendom the western world has lost its attraction to this form of communal gathering and have been searching for belonging in their neighborhoods. Therefore, people are identifying yoga studios and fire halls as their place of belonging and the churches are losing their grip on people's sense of belonging. As missional leaders in the community, we have to find places where the Holy Spirit has opened for us to “deliver the message of Jesus in radically different and constantly changing cultural conditions.” The crux of the argument can be found in two parts. First, “The missional-incarnational approach requires identification with a local people group, cultural sensitivity, and courageous innovation to authentically fulfill its mission.” Second, Hirsch presents a model of our belief system in that he suggests that our current theological model is out of order. He states that we need to form our Christology before we form our Missiology and then that should determine our Ecclesiology. For too long we have missed the intention of the ecclesia that Christ initiated.
Hirsch’s discussion on liminal communitas and organic systems were important conversations to the text but the general ideas of these section were presented in other sections of the book. There is a lot of great information in this book but he often repeats himself and tries to say a certain idea in many forms which result in a similar conclusion. The Forgotten Ways is a great text and should be read by many leaders and laity in the Church but there is a lack of historical voices that explore the practices of the past that he is alluding to throughout the book. I am grateful for this text and it will be a reference for me in the future. Alan Hirsch is attempting to animate the missional movement and this text allows us to explore the reasoning behind the impulse and discernment.
February 1, 2010
Alan Hirsch takes a stab at laying out a model of missional life together in Christian community. Although Hirsch's work has primarily been in organic church models, his goal is to see this model implemented in all churches from the institutional mega church all the way to simple churches. If the reader is looking for practical application or church models, this book may be a disappointment. Hirsch's goal is to change the readers paradigm of ecclesiology. He views this as the starting point for practice. Although a sticky first read, especially for those without exposure to missional ecclesiology, this is a must for those seeking to get back to the simplicity of the early church.
March 2, 2016
Make no mistake - this is not about the "faddy" self serving sort of group that has from time to time self-identified as missional. This is a fascinating attempt to engage with the problem of what an authentic expression of faith in the Jesus of history should look like in a contemporary western context. But because it builds for good principles of non-archaic reading of texts, and an understanding of the impact of context on contextualising properly, it makes fascinating reading.
Much of what it says goes not only for church groups, but also to "para-church" agencies.
If you are not willing to be challenged, don't read it, you would waste your time.
For me every second counted!
Much of what it says goes not only for church groups, but also to "para-church" agencies.
If you are not willing to be challenged, don't read it, you would waste your time.
For me every second counted!
January 27, 2014
Hirsch is one of the true "missional thinkers" as opposed to others who simply report on the missional scene. This is his (to date) "opus magnus" on the deconstruction of missional DNA (he terms it mDNA). If you have read much of Hirsch, there are recurrent themes of a strong biblical view and a deep interest in theology tempered by a passion for missional outcomes over traditionalism and/or "group think" notions of correctness.
The great quest and question of Forgotten Ways is, "How do you make true disciples who naturally function with a missional mindset, ethos, passion and pragmatism.
The great quest and question of Forgotten Ways is, "How do you make true disciples who naturally function with a missional mindset, ethos, passion and pragmatism.
September 26, 2020
This book changed my life. It’s hard to read, like maybe it was originally a scholarly dissertation, but the explanation of how church was irrevocably damaged by Constantin altered my perspective completely. I wish every Christian would read the first 50 pages and realize that what we consider typical church looks nothing like what the New Testament apostles had in mind. I wish he had discussed the underground Christians in China more.
October 12, 2017
Hirsch presents some compelling factors to Apostolic Genius, his term for the Spirit's inherent genius in creating a thriving, movement of a church. If a church has the six factors listed, then Apostolic Genius is complete and the church should grow, physically and spiritually.
There are two major comments on this work that has gotten much attention since its original publishing. First, one of the factors, APEST Culture (standing for apostles, priests, evangelists, servants, teachers; from a passage in Ephesians listing the types of leaders a church should have), while clearly appropriate and needed, is not elaborated upon fully. Hirsch instead focuses nearly entirely on the A, on apostle. That makes sense, given that this book is essentially a book on mission/evangelism, but still, if you are going to say that APEST Culture is a factor, then some explanation of why the other forms of leadership are needed should be in order. There is little of that. What you're left with is an explanation of why apostles are needed.
Second, Hirsch bases a lot of his argument on the claim that all Christian movements that have grown exponentially in history have all of the factors presented here. Hirsch points out two in particular, the Acts/New Testament church and China. While I don't dispute the claim, after the first chapter or two, Hirsch does little to expound upon how these factors were present in Acts or China. In a couple of chapters there is maybe a paragraph of mention. Much more discussion centers around programs and initiatives that Hirsch and others are and have created, but we don't know the result of any of that work, so why focus on it?
Not to be overly nitpicky, but Hirsch also includes a lot of diagrams that, quite frankly, are next to useless. He draws these images for concepts that are straightforward, the image is then straightforward and meaningless, and yet it's now supposed to have the feel of a powerful, unique insight. Ridiculous.
Church leaders should certainly read and wrestle with this book. Is it the end-all be-all that many people seem to claim? No.
There are two major comments on this work that has gotten much attention since its original publishing. First, one of the factors, APEST Culture (standing for apostles, priests, evangelists, servants, teachers; from a passage in Ephesians listing the types of leaders a church should have), while clearly appropriate and needed, is not elaborated upon fully. Hirsch instead focuses nearly entirely on the A, on apostle. That makes sense, given that this book is essentially a book on mission/evangelism, but still, if you are going to say that APEST Culture is a factor, then some explanation of why the other forms of leadership are needed should be in order. There is little of that. What you're left with is an explanation of why apostles are needed.
Second, Hirsch bases a lot of his argument on the claim that all Christian movements that have grown exponentially in history have all of the factors presented here. Hirsch points out two in particular, the Acts/New Testament church and China. While I don't dispute the claim, after the first chapter or two, Hirsch does little to expound upon how these factors were present in Acts or China. In a couple of chapters there is maybe a paragraph of mention. Much more discussion centers around programs and initiatives that Hirsch and others are and have created, but we don't know the result of any of that work, so why focus on it?
Not to be overly nitpicky, but Hirsch also includes a lot of diagrams that, quite frankly, are next to useless. He draws these images for concepts that are straightforward, the image is then straightforward and meaningless, and yet it's now supposed to have the feel of a powerful, unique insight. Ridiculous.
Church leaders should certainly read and wrestle with this book. Is it the end-all be-all that many people seem to claim? No.
February 8, 2018
An apostlic genius, The Forgotten Ways is a great book especially for those who are on staff with a church. It’s a book that draws The forgotten ways of the church back to its roots. The ideas of apostolic genius talk about the early church and how it operated as well as how the underground church in China exploded. Allen Hirsch forms this idea of MDNA which is the missional DNA for the church.
It first talks about how the church operates today. How the church is plagued by consumerism and how it is forced into being a vendor of religious goods and services. Rather than having its focus on making new disciples, the church is forced into maintaining and satisfying its members.
Hirsch talks about MDNA or missional DNA for the church. he talks about how we are supposed to be inincarnational living. To be a church where all of its members are fully involved in the church ministry rather than attenders. To take his idea of incarnational living ministry, means taking the church to the people rather than bringing people to the church.
Something that I liked was when he said this “ One of the most missional things that a church community could do is simply get out of their buildings and go to where the people are, and be God’s redeemed people. (To engage in the context’s we are in).
Great book would highly recommend.
It first talks about how the church operates today. How the church is plagued by consumerism and how it is forced into being a vendor of religious goods and services. Rather than having its focus on making new disciples, the church is forced into maintaining and satisfying its members.
Hirsch talks about MDNA or missional DNA for the church. he talks about how we are supposed to be inincarnational living. To be a church where all of its members are fully involved in the church ministry rather than attenders. To take his idea of incarnational living ministry, means taking the church to the people rather than bringing people to the church.
Something that I liked was when he said this “ One of the most missional things that a church community could do is simply get out of their buildings and go to where the people are, and be God’s redeemed people. (To engage in the context’s we are in).
Great book would highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2016
The Forgotten Ways
Reactivating Apostolic Movements
by Alan Hirsch
Baker Academic & Brazos Press
Brazos Press
Christian
Pub Date 20 Sep 2016
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of The Forgotten Ways through the publisher and Netgalley:
The Forgotten Ways is not meant to be a practical book.
The Forgotten Ways points out that we do have answers to our Crisis.
We are reminded that Jesus is Lord! We are reminded of the importance of planting a church. The importance of changing the story, is also brought up, by that the author is talking about the system story.
The author points out that we need both Sheperds and Teachers, they are both important to the Christian Faith.
We are reminded too that a Church has to do more than just survive, it needs to thrive.
I give The Forgotten Ways five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
July 27, 2020
Bad Ecclesiology, Good Missiology. And a very enjoyable read (hence the 5 stars). Hirsch literally ignores the structures implied in Elders and Deacons from 1 Timothy and Titus in Scripture. Theologically, the fusion of church and state was horrid during the Constantinian Era. However, the institutionalization was good. It furthered theological concepts like the Trinity and Scriptures, and allowed Christianity to be more organized with all of the revelation that God has given us. Hirsch gives a solid framework for mission, but his church theology ignores clear prescriptive parts of scripture in place of descriptive parts. Hirsch is highly intellectual and a good storyteller. Read with discernment.
January 15, 2021
This is a brilliant book on thinking on, preparing for, and practicing the future of the Church by reviewing our present methods.
The insights offered in this book are refreshing perspectives. As an Christian from Africa, I can only wish a resource which speaks to the African context is published.
This was a book filled with hope for the future of the church.
With an emphasis on discipleship and missional thinking, its central message says that ultimately churches which equip will outlast churches which gather.
The insights offered in this book are refreshing perspectives. As an Christian from Africa, I can only wish a resource which speaks to the African context is published.
This was a book filled with hope for the future of the church.
With an emphasis on discipleship and missional thinking, its central message says that ultimately churches which equip will outlast churches which gather.
April 11, 2018
This book was one of the best that I've read in terms of how to make a missional church. Hirsch is both deep and easy to read, and I often started getting excited about doing ministry as I kept reading chapters. I will most definitely be coming back to this book in a handful of years, and can't wait to see what I pick up in it next time. I highly recommend this as a book for church leadership teams to read together.
February 12, 2020
Probably should have read this years ago so that I could understand what most of my fellow pastors were talking about. Fortunately our church has been trying to adapt some of our practices to become less "top-down" and more from the "bottom up". What Hirsch describes is truth but it is not easy truth. Many, many churches will struggle to make this transition and may not survive but the Church will still go on.
January 2, 2021
I read the first edition of this book when it was first published over 10 years ago, and loved it. By far one of the best books ever published on Missional leadership and apostolic movements. Alan Hirsch is at the forefront of Christian missiology, and I’ve learned so much from him over the years. I’m looking forward to reading the revised and updated version of this book sometime this year.
January 24, 2021
Hirsch takes sound Biblical principles and applies them to modern situations.
We are called to be all things to all people.
We are called to make disciples.
We are called to love people.
This book does teach new ways to focus your efforts away from dead religion and towards relationships which foster new life in God.
We are called to be all things to all people.
We are called to make disciples.
We are called to love people.
This book does teach new ways to focus your efforts away from dead religion and towards relationships which foster new life in God.
May 4, 2017
I read this book in the wake of pioneering a new project, so it was very helpful. It would potentially have been a very frustrating read if I didn't have an open horizon before me, for its radical insistence on non-institutionalism. But it is a wonderful read, in reality quite paradigm-shifting.
October 22, 2018
I read this book for a class on the missional church. Everyone is missionary within their context. Hirsch tries to emphasize how the early church grew and how we see revivals resulting in huge church growth throughout history and how it can be applied today.
July 20, 2018
It is not a perfect book, but it has some exciting insights on being a mission oriented, adaptive church.
May 31, 2019
This book is challenges the thoughts of what Incarnation-Ministry looks like. Great for anyone working in full time ministry.
July 20, 2019
Pushes some boundaries, but still worth the read.
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