Incarnational Mission: Being with the World

by Samuel Wells

A bold new way of thinking about Christian mission “ With, ” says Samuel Wells, “is the most important word in the Christian faith.” In this compelling follow-up to  Incarnational Being with the Church , Wells explores what it means for mission-minded Christians and churches to  be with  the world. Drawing on the Gospels, Acts, and personal insights gleaned from his more than two decades in ministry, Wells elaborates on the concept of  being with  in eight presence, atten-tion, mystery, delight, participation, partnership, enjoyment, and glory. His vivid narratives and wise reflections will help Christian readers better understand how to  be with  all kinds of people outside the church, both individually and collectively. CONTENTS Not of This Fold The Mission of Being With 1. Being with the Lapsed 2. Being with Seekers 3. Being with Those of No Professed Faith 4. Being with Those of Other Faiths 5. Being with the Hostile 6. Being with Neighbors 7. Being with Organizations 8. Being with Institutions 9. Being with Government 10. Being with the Excluded Are You Hungry?

Genres: Theology

264 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2018

About the author

Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.

Reviews

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In recent years the definition of mission has been expanded. Where once it had to do with sending brave women and men to far away lands to spread the gospel, while the folks at home sent money (and prayers), now mission is what the church is and does. It can involve going overseas, but it can also involve being present in one's own community. In the book "Incarnational Mission," Samuel Wells, the vicar of London's historic St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, explores the concept of mission in light of of "being with."

"Incarnational Mission" is a companion to his book Incarnational Ministry: Being with the Church, published in 2017. This book essentially replicates the method and structure of the earlier book, with the focus moving from "being with" the believers to "being with" those who are not believers. In his estimation, mission involves surprises, including "the wisdom or kindness of a stranger, the depth of community that emerges in the face of tragedy, the mistakes that turn into God's opportunities" (p. 18). It is he reminder, he believes, that the Gospel doesn't belong to the church, and that the church is often catching up to what God is already doing.


The book explores the "mission of being with" in terms of ten relationships: the lapsed, seekers, those of no professed faith, other faiths, the hostile, neighbors, organizations, institutions, government, and the excluded. Incarnational engagement involves "being with," which involves rejecting what he calls the "problem solution axis" present in "working for" and "working with" models. There is no necessary solution to the predicaments faced by the church. We cannot solve people's problems, we can only accompany them "while they find their own methods, answers, approaches--and meanwhile celebrated and enjoy the rest of their identity that's not wrapped up in what you (perhaps ignorantly) judge to be their problem." (p. 13).

The book invites us to consider the "mission of being with" in relationship to the lapsed, seekers, those of no professed faith, those of other faiths, the hostile, neighbors, organizations, institutions, government, and the excluded. In each of these areas of engagement, Wells explores the concept in conversation with eight dimensions of reality: presence, attention, mystery, delight, participation, partnership, enjoyment, and glory. Each of the eight is, he reveals, "rooted in the life fo the Trinity and embodied in the life of Jesus."

I found the book compelling, with some chapters being more interesting to me than others. I appreciated the chapter on being with other faiths, for it spoke of engaging them with respect. He speaks of journeying together for the good of the world, and to learn from one another. That doesn't mean he doesn't have evangelistic intent, but it is to be done with honesty and respect. I also enjoyed the chapter on "being with government." Being that he is from Britain, he has a different vantage point than most Americans. He approaches the subject seeking to find that narrow passage between being the constant critic and the chaplain for the state. In other words, he recognizes and affirms the importance and value of government to keep order and to do what needs to be done for the welfare of the whole people. There is both an appreciation and a wariness about the relationship that seemed healthy to me.

Over all, this is a good book. At times it seems repetitive, as he brings into play each of the eight dimensions in each chapter. Nonetheless, there is much of value here for the church and the pursuit of its mission.

[John Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

part of Sam Wells systematic unpacking of the Being With concept he introduced in the Nazareth Manifesto. So this a structured approach to looking at how Christians relate to people and institutions outside the faith. It is quite abstract. The most interesting chapter for me was that relating to other faiths -where Wells' determination to systematize leads him into deep water. Judaism is a parent to Christianity, Islam a sibling and Buddhism a distant cousin. But he entirely fails to address other spiritualities apart from the usual suspects (classified as they largely were by Western Scholars) I enjoyed it but I am unlikely to reread it.

[Kate Brumby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to savour, taking each chapter at a time - lots to consider and think about.
highly recommended.
Readers may also find Rev Dr Samuel Wells book Thoughts One Can't Do Without essay in which he further meditates on "being with" - working with and being for one another rather than working for one another.

[Christopher Trend · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing view of mission in the church using examples and based on Sam Wells “Being With” model. A useful book that I can see myself dipping in to again and again.