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Title: ChurchNext: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry by Eddie Gibbs ISBN: 0-8308-2261-5 Publisher: InterVarsity Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Dealing with Chaos by Changing to Mission Church
Comment: The more I read, the more I became interested in what Gibbs had to say. In fact, it wasn't until the final chapter where he tends to put it all back together again that I saw where he was going.
He aptly describes the chaos of culture by one that is wavering between modern and post-modern, a world without a center or a circumference. As he writes: "a balkanized world of warring factions." To this disjointed complexity, add five generational groups: builders, silent ones, boomers, GenX, and bemused millennials.
Previous attempts, visions, strategies, programs, traditions are inadequate in themselves to deal with such quantum change and choas. What is needed the book suggests is a whole new outlook and orientation: one that basically (in author's view) returns to first century apostolic church which was driven by small group of believers committed to Lord that replicated themselves throughout the world. Appointed and empowered by apostles, they were not influential or socially prominent, but operated on the margins and infiltrated all society and turned their world upside down with the gospel.
He offers many compelling critiques of previous church growth strategy, but never totally dismisses them as unbiblical, but primarily as pragmatically not working.
He replaces such with "a mission orientation" which is faith led, and not a paradigm per se to be copied in detail, step-by-step, but contexualizing its principles of quick striking, infiltrating and making the gospel relevant to changing cultural setting.
Much is to be challenged of this, e.g. his fine reference points for the missional church - faithful to the gospel, inspired by the hope of Christ's return, informed and enriched by heritage are softened in this reader's mind by the addition of: "relevant to its ministry setting." He does unload this by explaining it as finding ways to get the gospel across in terms and language culture will accept as relevant. The problem with this is that doctrine is separated from the practice thereof, allowing and glorifying in permiscuity doctrinally speaking. As one astute observer wrote: "It is when the church begins to accomodate theology to the culture in which it exists that the church loses its moorings and begins to drift away from the truth."
He to his credit critiques much of what is wrong with worship these days, however in some cases places too much on work of people in worhsip, rather than God's work to people.
I was torn between three and four stars, so really 3.5. Worth reading and continuing thought about what he offers. Much of analaysis that is helpful to the church, and some fine challenges to all branches. What lacks is Biblical talk about apostasy in the end times and growing tendency to not tolerate sound doctrine but seek and demand teachers who tickle their consumer, individual, rights demanding ears.
Rating: 5
Summary: Top book in 3rd Millennium Church Work
Comment: This is a masterpiece collection of concepts for church in the 21st century. If you're in ministry today or are looking to enter the world of church work you should read this book. Gibbs insight is outstanding!
Rating: 1
Summary: Shooting Your Own Foot
Comment: Did Gibbs or any of the audience he is targeting stop to think that they are trying to "save" or salvage something that longs for change. God is a God of love - period. There are many paths to love and to make another wrong is to live in the arrogance and ignorance of a belief system that the world is flat, that women are to be subsurvient, and that particular races are less refined than others. All beliefs that were KEY when the Bible was scribed. If you are willing to except the change of these things, why can't you see that what was heresy (holistic practises, herbs)hundreds of years ago is now recognized for its value today. Stop trying to "fix" people from expansion and personal growth. The experience of God is wondrously beyond definition.
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Title: Emerging Church, The by Dan Kimball, Rick Warren, Brian D. McLaren ISBN: 0310245648 Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Church on the Other Side, The by Brian D. McLaren ISBN: 0310252199 Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West...Again by George G. Hunter ISBN: 0687085853 Publisher: Abingdon Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: A Work of Heart : Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders by Reggie McNeal, Reggie McNeal ISBN: 078794288X Publisher: Jossey-Bass Pub. Date: March, 2000 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey by Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, James H. Furr, Mike Bonem ISBN: 0787947652 Publisher: Jossey-Bass Pub. Date: February, 2000 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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