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What I've Been Reading on the Missional Church

At our Special Convention in June, Bishop Mark and the Mission Strategy Committee distributed copies of Introducing the Missional Church by Alan Roxburgh and M. Scott Boren. Several clergy and vestries are reading it and are planning deep listening conversations (outlined on pages 147 - 155) with their congregations on what God might be up to in their churches and surrounding neighborhoods. Look for a summary outline of the book on our Mission Strategy Committee page.  Our congregtional consultants can assist any congregation interested in holding such conversations.

I also recommend Reggie McNeal's book, Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. McNeal suggests practical ways that congregations can begin to shift their focus from purely internal preoccupation (including how to create more programs to attract people) to forming a community of the mission-minded seeking God's mission in its neighborhood context. McNeal challenges clergy, lay leadership, and congregations to Stop being competitors in the religious marketplace and develop a "missionary culture" that focuses on the community and its needs and minsitry opportunities outside of the church.

My top pick, however, is a book just about us Episcopalians! People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity by Dwight J. Zscheile persuavively makes the case that the Episcopal Church by living more deeply into the best of its traditons, beliefs, theological and cultural diversity, sacraments ,and its mission-mindedness has the unique opportunity to embrace and successfully engage the challenges of the 21st century. Zscheile thoroughly refutes in a very clear and understandable presentation the recent accusatiions that the Episcopal Church has somehow lost its way. Moreover, he offers a vision for mission and engagement for the Episcopal Church that stresses the importance of intentional formation of Christian disciples in our church community. This book is must reading for every Episcopalian and makes for an excellent resource for congregations seeking a deeper understanding and appreciation of our Episcopal identity and mission.       

 

 

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