Pilgrims and Priests: Christian Mission in a Post-Christian Society

by Stefan Paas

What does it mean to be a small missional community in a deeply secularized society? 
Drawing on a wide range of practical insight with mission in one of the most secular contexts of the West, Pilgrims and Priests blends this experience with a thorough analysis of relevant biblical, historical, sociological, theological and spiritual sources that bear relevance to missional identity in the challenging circumstances presented by the secular West. It presents a hopeful perspective, rooted in a realistic appraisal of reality and rich theological reflections. 
The result is an important resource for thinkers, practitioners and all who are fascinated by the future of Christianity in the West.  

Genres: Theology

384 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2019

Reviews

[Lee Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me sane during a difficult year in ministry when, theoretically, things were finally going to be back to normal. No, the reality is that ministry is hard in post Christian contexts and the college campus is so amazingly similar to the Netherlands that I felt understood in many ways. I will definitely reread this book again!

[Terry Dykstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two chapters are a little slow as Paas sets up his definition of missiology but the last five chapters are a magnificent tour-de-force of the opportunity the Church has as a minority community (Pilgrims) to bless the surrounding world and connecting it to God as priests.

Outlines well the difficulties in 21st century Western Cultures for the Church, but also exposes some of the idols and misguided approach of the Church in history to remind readers our trust is in God, who has blessed us that we might bless our neighbors and the world with the better community, better story, and supreme hope he has given us.

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the most important book I have read in 2021. Paradigm shifting, theologically rich, and incredibly stimulating.

Easy 5 stars despite his liberal leanings (second Isaiah etc), and raising my eyebrows at times. Even the last two chapters, which instead of being an icing on the cake, were mediocre (especially the last one, bordering on being a disappointment!), even that is not enough for me to give it lower rating. This book is a keeper, to consult again - that's for sure.

[Richard Myerscough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the most important book I've read this year. Maybe not the most enjoyable* but certainly the most stimulating, even when it slightly disappoints in places in the final third. So much to think through as a result. Definitely one to re-read - and soon.

(I don't mean it's not enjoyable to read, just that I read others - Meilaender's Thy Will Be Done for example - that were super-enjoyable.)

[HCC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound book. Dense reading to start but the latter chapters left me wanting more. Many in the church need this vision for what the church can be in its post-Christian surroundings.

[Matthew Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a ministry practitioner in the West this is as a must-read. Paas exposes the insufficiencies of various “Christendom” mindsets, then leans on 1 Peter’s paradigm of exile to chart a better way forward for those seeking to live faithfully in the post-Christian west. It’s a bit of a slog at first, but once he gets moving it’s worth the effort.

[Matthew Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although from a mainland European perspective, the author takes care to apply this version to the UK. He helpfully maps a route to what the church can be in a post-Christendom society. Giving plenty of food for thought and helpful thinking for those wondering what does the future of the church look like in the west.

[John Houmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

so helpful

Very encouraging read for pastors in highly secular post Christian contexts who want to create Christian communities with thick relationships and robust theological living

[Jordan Tomeš · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nizozemský misiolog Stefan Paas předestírá svou vizi eklesiologie pro západní sekularizovaný svět. A není to zlý.

Hlavní poselství spočívá v tom, že pokud západní církev ještě někde nostalgicky touží po své dávné velikosti a významu, měla by s tím co nejdřív skončit a sebevědomě se chopit úkolu být církví menšinovou a "exilní" (po vzoru židovského exilu v sice ne sekulárním, ale jistě cizím a vůči židovské víře indiferentním Babylónu v 6 st. př.n.l.). Na církvi naštěstí není, aby ze světa monoliticky udělala samu sebe, jak praví staré misijní modely (tedy aby obrátila každého posledního na svou pravdu), ale aby byla pro přirozeně odlišný svět důstojným partnerem a "knězem" (dle názvu), který svou službou, komunitní vztahovostí a upřeným doxologickým zrakem vzhůru ukazuje ještě na jiný svět - bez velkého stresu, kolik nových lidí tenhle způsob života zaujme.

Paas umí být břitký ve svých (mnohých) historických exkurzech a hodnoceních dřívějších misijních vzorců - to mě moc bavilo! Nesedla mi ale (na mě působící) nedotaženost ve struktuře knihy a kapitol, kdy jsem některé kapitoly dočítal se zaťatými zuby. Ale možná už jsem prostě zapomněl číst akademickou literaturu... Paas také (původně) pochází z velmi tradičně křesťanského kousku NL, a tak jsem někdy zatínal zuby čistě jen pro názorovou odlišnost. Přijde mi taky, že pro nás (alespoň tam, kde znám - ČCE) jsou vzpomínky na “velikost církve” už velice dávno vybledlé a roli církve ve společnosti z pozice minority promýšlíme už hodně dlouho.

[Michael Adam Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile Read

Paas advocacy for the churches posture as pilgrims and priests in a post-secular Western society a sustainable approach to missional churches. It limits and recognizes the scope of our actions and involvement without dispairing it. I question his chapter on exile as I don't see the church as being in exile in NA. We have lost certain priviledges and influences in society and politics, but I would not push an exile status to far. I would rather suggest that the church ought to take a posture of exile as it is more beneficial for the world around us. We need to recognizes that the world systems and structures around us are not permanent and our hopes that a cultural wind change is what the church and society needs. The chapter on doxology was the most beneficial section for my personal growth. It provided an persuasive argument for the churches mission and relevance in a society where it can no longer claim a moral superiority as a means to convince others that the world needs Jesus. The broader culture generally sees Christianity as morally inferior.

[Jonathan Prudhomme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate Paas’ experiences as a Western European seeking to understand mission in a secularized culture. I thought his diagnosis both of secular Western culture as well as how the church has attempted to approach culture was very well thought out and thoroughly researched. However, though his diagnosis was good, I believe his prescription missed the mark. Paas seems to conflate his soteriology with his ecclesiology in his last two chapters. For instance, he states in his summary and conclusion 6.5 that “to be a Christian means, first and foremost, to belong to Christ’s Church” (rather than being first and for most united to Christ by faith — and as a *consequence* engrafted into the communion of the church) Though this may seem like splitting hairs to some, the vicarious, intermediary nature of the church in salvation was perhaps the core issue of the Reformation. Therefore, by conflating the Person and finished work of Christ with the church Paas risks diminishing the precious good news of the gospel itself which doesn’t seem to be his goal in the rest of the book.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very engaging book on secular culture and Christian mission within that culture. Paas writes mainly from a European context. He critiques much of current missiological thinking as dependent upon Christendom. At the heart of Christendom is "conquest" - Christianity seeks to transform the world, which is no longer helpful, or appropriate, in secular culture.

He draws from 1 Peter to elucidate a theme of priesthood - that is, Christians' mission is to bless the world.

I was afraid he was going to go too heavy into his analysis of Israel's exilic culture and spirituality. In chapter 4, he drew out that Israel, in exile, did not "evangelize," though they did allow proselytes into their groups who found them.

He does, in chapters 6 and 7, draw on this theme for contemporary, post-Chrsitian groups, but allows that these groups, in blessing the world, evangelize through relationships where the Spirit may be/is present.

[Greg Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some notes from Stefan Paas' that I didn't want to lose. His suggestions for evangelizing the West:

(1) Christian’s will have to learn to become independent of worldly claims of success, and instead become a community of “signs” and “forestastes.” (110)
(2) Christian’s will need to learn to develop a spirituality that can bear the weight of struggle and failure. (111)
(3) Christian’s will need an ecclessiology that is not defined by action (what the church is doing), but rather what the church is (its identity first and foremost in it’s union with Christ). (111)

Basically, Christian's will need to discover that one's very self abides in God's faithful presence. (113)

"God is our highest good and our first task is to worship and honor him in everything we do. And this is precisely why we work for justice and peace, regardless of whether it changes the world. Our efforts are fuelled by love, not by visions of growth, impact or transformation. For the Church this means a renewed attention to the liturgy, the sacraments, and community." (pg. 114)

[Sarah Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

First giving some historical context on various church models and methods, Paas then moves to expound upon the exilic nature of the church with a careful look at the diaspora of God’s people both in Babylon and later on in the New Testament church. Paas then helps us focus in on the priesthood nature of the church: the church as God’s representative before the world, and as humanity’s representative before God. All of it comes together in a doxoligical approach to evangelism and service. Ultimately, mission is about worship as we live this life as pilgrims and priests together.

[Stephen Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just finished reading this book. (It has taken a while.) It has very strong links to the ideas of the "Church in Exile" and the church as a "royal priesthood". It's made me think, and challenged me, in more ways than I can post here, but I was struck and encouraged by a couple of things in the last chapter: "We don't do [evangelism and mission] to be successful; we do it to demonstrate the reality we believe in and hope for" and "the significance of small communities … listening to God and establishing meaningful relationships with the neighbourhood".

[Alejandro Guillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presented and made me ask many challenging questions, and offered refreshing perspectives on Christian witness. I think I needed this book and a couple of times the author pointed out at things that I already had asked myself.

I wouldn’t necessarily agree 100% with everything he says, but I think it is a good and challenging read for Christians within the conservative evangelical sphere. It will pop your bubble, in case is not already popped.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read when looking at modern day mission work and the church!

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong, but didn't end well. Paas also uses some questionable terminology, and teeters on the edge of orthodoxy.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the one hand, a little gloomy (the end of Christendom, etc.). On the other hand, thought provoking. Author is a bit left of center theologically (I think). Still worth a read for reflection.

[Ben Gresik · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to write a review about a book that feels like it will live in my head for a long time.

This book somehow manages to be both incredibly realistic, incredibly faithful, and incredibly hopeful at the same time. Paas looks at the situation in the post-Christian west and essentially says "it's not going to suddenly change" and yet rather than saying we should just give up he instead says that we should re-frame our expectations. Some helpful points from the book that I took away

1) Do good because God is good, not because it will accomplish something.
-This was helpful because often times people start programs or help people but then give up when those things don't translate into more church attendance. By doing good as a response to God's goodness, it helps with this kind of response.

2) View the church as a community of signs and foretastes
-Instead of expecting society to be on some kind of journey towards some ideal in God's kingdom, the Church should be a community which witnesses glimpses of God's coming kingdom (which only arrives after Jesus' return). This helps with the response when it seems like there is decline because so long as those "signs and foretastes" continue to appear, there is a reason to continue being the church.

Edit: Alright, I have now read this book for a second time and want to point out two more things about the content of this book that I found helpful.

1) A Different Understanding of the Relationship Between the Church and the World.
-On this reading I found it incredibly helpful to see that Paas draws a distinction between the Church and the world, but doesn't ever write the world off. He recognizes that God is doing things "out there" and sometimes helps the Church to grow by using the world. This "distinct, but never black and white" perspective is really helpful in framing healthy relationships with those outside the church in a post-Christian environment.

2) A Heavy Emphasis on God's Sovereignty in Missions
-Especially in the last chapter, Paas emphasizes God's role in the mission of the church which really helps strengthen his argument for doing good for the sake of doing good. This focus really helped to release a lot of anxiety I have about missions and evangelism.