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On the Verge: A Journey into the Apostolic Future of the Church
The church is on the verge of massive, category shifting change. Contemporary church growth, despite its many blessings, has failed to stem the decline of Christianity in the West. We are now facing the fact that more of the same will not produce different results. Our times require a different kind of church—an apostolic, reproducing movement where every person is living a mission-sent life. Many of the best and brightest leaders in the contemporary church are now making the shift in the way they think, lead, and organize. Motivated partly by a vision of the church as ancient as it is new, and with a driving desire to see Biblical Christianity establish itself in Western cultural contexts, we are indeed seeing a new form of the church emerge in our day. Hirsch and Ferguson call this “apostolic movement” because it is more resonant with the form of church that we witness in the pages of the New Testament and in the great missional movements of history.
In this audiobook, Hirsch and Ferguson share a rich array of theology, theory, and best practices, along with inspiring stories about leaders who have rightly diagnosed their churches’ failure to embrace a biblical model of mission and have moved toward a fuller expression of the gospel. On the Verge will help church leaders discover how these forerunners and their insights are launching a new apostolic movement—and how any church can get involved.
In this audiobook, Hirsch and Ferguson share a rich array of theology, theory, and best practices, along with inspiring stories about leaders who have rightly diagnosed their churches’ failure to embrace a biblical model of mission and have moved toward a fuller expression of the gospel. On the Verge will help church leaders discover how these forerunners and their insights are launching a new apostolic movement—and how any church can get involved.
Audio CD
First published April 19, 2011
48 people are currently reading
186 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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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 24, 2016
Some helpful stuff here, especially for thinking about the church as organic system.
November 15, 2020
This book is by the founders/pastors of the Community Christian Church in the Chicago, IL. CCC is one of of at least four large mega church operations in the greater Chicago area. This book looks at what makes their approach to ministry different and worth emulating in your own ministry. The book itself is about a decade old so I kind of wonder today how these concepts are holding up. Being from the Chicago area I could just go myself and see. Maybe I will check it out on line.
The big take away for me is this. The current, traditional (US) church model is designed (destined) to reach 40% of the US population. Thus, all of the hundreds and hundreds of churhes in the area are appealing to the same 40%. (The authors admit that the 40% number is somewhat arbitrary, but knowing what i do about traditional churches I would not argue about it). So, the authors ask, how can we break out of rearranging church members/attenders and break into reaching the other 60%?
The bottom line is that it's not easy and unless you deeply change the fundamental DNA of the church, it isn't going to work. Better to start a new work with the proper approach.
The big take away for me is this. The current, traditional (US) church model is designed (destined) to reach 40% of the US population. Thus, all of the hundreds and hundreds of churhes in the area are appealing to the same 40%. (The authors admit that the 40% number is somewhat arbitrary, but knowing what i do about traditional churches I would not argue about it). So, the authors ask, how can we break out of rearranging church members/attenders and break into reaching the other 60%?
The bottom line is that it's not easy and unless you deeply change the fundamental DNA of the church, it isn't going to work. Better to start a new work with the proper approach.
February 12, 2018
Good
This book has some good insights into mission of the church, but I would caution about using everything in this book. If you are not a fan of social gospel, this book will rub you wrong. The main thrust of the book is to try new approaches to church that take the individual outside of the four walls to reach the 60% who our unchurched. The book also bounces back and forth between the two authors, with one writing a chapter and the other critiquing it.
This book has some good insights into mission of the church, but I would caution about using everything in this book. If you are not a fan of social gospel, this book will rub you wrong. The main thrust of the book is to try new approaches to church that take the individual outside of the four walls to reach the 60% who our unchurched. The book also bounces back and forth between the two authors, with one writing a chapter and the other critiquing it.
January 6, 2022
Great expansion and exploration of first century church and how it is still many first century methods are an effective approach today! Dave and Alan use ancient apostolic ministry strategies and created an amazing forward-thinking framework for 21st century ministry strategies! Such a game-changer!
March 14, 2019
I have enjoyed the book and in general the philosophy of ministry discussed in this and other books in the Exponential series. As a leader in a parachurch campus ministry there is much that applies to our context. Some helpful tips in leading culture change will be good to reference in the future.
December 30, 2019
As always anything Hirsch or Ferguson writes is full of gold. Time for the church in the US to recognize Apostolic callings in their people
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April 3, 2013this book has given me a ton to think about and wrestle with in my own thinking about the church, the Church, and how we Christians go about engaging mission. I am hoping to pump out a couple more posts interacting with specific parts of this book. But for now, a review:
Buy and read this book.
The primary focus of On the Verge is about a paradigm shift. Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson assert that the true core of Christianity is understanding that it is a people movement, not an institution. We have been doing and thinking about Church the same way since the days of Constantine. It isn’t working any more. It’s not true to our core identity, our DNA, as people following Jesus.
Please don’t think this is simply about moving towards a more grassroots or “international” method of practicing/patronizing. On the Verge isn’t another anti mega-church, pro simple church book. It’s a call for the western church to embrace the beauty of and. Shifting our paradigm is moving away from the battle that some of us feel between church growth methods and more organic styles of church.
Sorry this review isn’t more in-depth, but as I said I’m still working through the concepts, applications, and ideas presented. There is tons to think about and interact with in these pages. This book is full of large ideas, practical steps, and over all a heart that beats for the church in the west to rediscover it’s identity, it’s DNA, and to become a movement that alters the world for the glory of God.
Buy and read this book.
The primary focus of On the Verge is about a paradigm shift. Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson assert that the true core of Christianity is understanding that it is a people movement, not an institution. We have been doing and thinking about Church the same way since the days of Constantine. It isn’t working any more. It’s not true to our core identity, our DNA, as people following Jesus.
Please don’t think this is simply about moving towards a more grassroots or “international” method of practicing/patronizing. On the Verge isn’t another anti mega-church, pro simple church book. It’s a call for the western church to embrace the beauty of and. Shifting our paradigm is moving away from the battle that some of us feel between church growth methods and more organic styles of church.
Sorry this review isn’t more in-depth, but as I said I’m still working through the concepts, applications, and ideas presented. There is tons to think about and interact with in these pages. This book is full of large ideas, practical steps, and over all a heart that beats for the church in the west to rediscover it’s identity, it’s DNA, and to become a movement that alters the world for the glory of God.
August 25, 2012
this is a non-fiction Christian book version of the the poem Jabberwocky. lots of impressive sounding words that when looked at closely mean nothing.
on page 25 there is a list of twelve churches the authors hold up as examples of whatever they're trying to say. pastors from five of those churches are blurbed in the front of the book reccommending it. probably just a coincidence
i slogged trough p. 76, my pastor chose this for our book group this month, i'll be interested to see what people got out of it or what meanings they give the book.
in "on the verge" you'll (maybe) learn about paradgms, paradigm shifts, paradigmatic imagination, apostolic imagination, Apostolic Genius, mDNA, verge-ination, theological/organizational verges, reimagining the church, reJesusing the church, movementum, red and blue oceans, Future Travelers, and reproducing churches. you'll also learn the authors have written other books which are referred to several times and might make this one understandable by someone w/only a junior college education.
on page 25 there is a list of twelve churches the authors hold up as examples of whatever they're trying to say. pastors from five of those churches are blurbed in the front of the book reccommending it. probably just a coincidence
i slogged trough p. 76, my pastor chose this for our book group this month, i'll be interested to see what people got out of it or what meanings they give the book.
in "on the verge" you'll (maybe) learn about paradgms, paradigm shifts, paradigmatic imagination, apostolic imagination, Apostolic Genius, mDNA, verge-ination, theological/organizational verges, reimagining the church, reJesusing the church, movementum, red and blue oceans, Future Travelers, and reproducing churches. you'll also learn the authors have written other books which are referred to several times and might make this one understandable by someone w/only a junior college education.
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June 12, 2015Slugger
Every time I got excited about a key component of their vision and purpose, I got buried with cyclical teaching. But that isn't my greatest fault with the book. In all their talk of getting out of the box, they insisted it had to be controlled within the box. Plus they at one point claimed this method is what will turn the church around. It is a tool, not the tool. A tool can help, direct, or hinder change. It is the Holy Spirit that will bring real change. I like the tools in the book so I recommend it for the value in them. I can't give it more than three stars because of writing style and over stating it's role.
Every time I got excited about a key component of their vision and purpose, I got buried with cyclical teaching. But that isn't my greatest fault with the book. In all their talk of getting out of the box, they insisted it had to be controlled within the box. Plus they at one point claimed this method is what will turn the church around. It is a tool, not the tool. A tool can help, direct, or hinder change. It is the Holy Spirit that will bring real change. I like the tools in the book so I recommend it for the value in them. I can't give it more than three stars because of writing style and over stating it's role.
July 5, 2017
Forgotten Ways + some new information from Dave. Best part are the practitioners information. It encourages me to no have an overly ideal assumption this comes easily, which it hasn't in my church. But these movements are everywhere and will prevail!
May 19, 2012
Great read! Some good perspective on the American church culture.
January 5, 2013
Very challenging, but after a while it became repetitive. A great resource for any church leadership team desiring to re-examine its mission and ethos.
May 7, 2013
A lot of good concepts, but sometimes difficult to fully grasp. It was somewhat complex.
August 8, 2013
This is another gem from guys like Hirsch and Ferguson. Somewhat lengthy, but well worth your time. Would be helpful to take your church leaders and other key people through this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews