Missional Communities : The Rise of the Post-Congregational Church

The third book in the trilogy that explores the popular missional movement From Reggie McNeal, the bestselling author of The Present Future and Missional Renaissance, comes the third book in the series that helps to define and illuminate the popular missional movement. This newest book in the trilogy examines a natural outgrowth of the move toward a missional orientation: the deconstruction of congregations into very small Christian communities. For all those thousands of churches and leaders who have followed Reggie McNeal's bold lead, this book details the rise of a new life form in churches. Discusses how to move a church from an internal to an external ministry focus Reggie McNeal is a recognized leader in the missional movement Outlines an alternative to the program church model that is focused on the projects and passions of the congregants This book draws on McNeal's twenty years of leadership roles in local congregations and his work over the last decade with thousands of clergy and church leaders.

Praise for Missional Communities

Once again, Reggie McNeal proclaims what too few have intuited: that God's Spirit is blowing in a new direction like a hurricane headwind. Thank God, we have Reggie to show us how the church can once more 'mount up with wings as eagles.' -Charles Anderson, directing pastor, University United Methodist Church, San Antonio, Texas

Every uncharted territory requires a guide who has seen the other side of the mountain. In Missional Communities Reggie serves as that guide who introduces you to the people, practices, and scorecard of this fresh growth plate of the kingdom. -Eric Swanson, coauthor, The Externally Focused Quest and To Transform a City

Reggie is an iconoclast. His ideas and vision break open our sense of what it means to 'be' and 'do' church. If you love God and believe in the future of the church you will read this book. -Rev. Chip Edens, rector, Christ Church, Charlotte, North Carolina

Reggie McNeal has given voice to those of us who dream of a church that is not just a conspiracy of strangers but a redemptive community on mission for God. For those who dare to make the journey this book provides some invaluable navigational charts for how to get there. -Gary Brandenburg, lead pastor, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, Texas

Classic Reggie McNeal! An in-your-face prophetic wake-up call that congregational ministry business as usual is not going to get the job done. But he gives us hope that we can make the change as he reports on how post-congregational ministry is being effective.-Buford Lipscomb, senior pastor, Liberty Church, Pensacola, Florida

Our staff team has been deeply impacted by the challenges and thinking of Reggie McNeal. He has served us by helping us think beyond ourselves, reminding us that true community results in mission, and continually bringing us back to the glorious mission of Jesus.-Eric Geiger, Christ Fellowship, Miami, Florida

"The third book in the trilogy that explores the popular missional movementFrom Reggie McNeal, the bestselling author of The Present Future and Missional Renaissance, comes the third book in the series that helps to define and illuminate the popular missional movement. This newest book in the trilogy examines a natural outgrowth of the move toward a missional orientation: the deconstruction of congregations into very small Christian communities. For all those thousands of churches and leaders who have followed Reggie McNeal's bold lead, this book details the rise of a new life form in churches. Discusses how to move a church from an internal to an external ministry focus Reggie McNeal is a recognized leader in the missional movement Outlines an alternative to the program church model that is focused on the projects and passions of the congregants This book draws on McNeal's twenty years of leadership roles in local congregations and his work over the last decade with thousands of clergy and church leaders"-- Provided by publisher Missional Communities......Page 5 Contents......Page 11 About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series......Page 13 Foreword by Hugh Halter......Page 15 Acknowledgments......Page 19 Introduction......Page 21 1 ‘‘Let There Be ... Missional Communities’’......Page 27 2 The Missional Church Conversation......Page 41 3 Missional Communities—European Style......Page 65 4 Soma Communities: Missional Communitiesas Organizing Architecture......Page 91 5 Campus Renewal UT: Missional Communitiesas Campus Evangelism Strategy......Page 111 6 Future Travelers: Missional Communitiesas Megachurch Strategy......Page 129 7 Mission Houston: Missional Communitiesfor Spiritual Formation and CommunityTransformation......Page 151 8 Looking Ahead......Page 171 About the Author......Page 181 Index......Page 183 Advertisement......Page 189 Missional Communities 5 Contents 11 About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series 13 Foreword by Hugh Halter 15 Acknowledgments 19 Introduction 21 1 ‘‘Let There Be ... Missional Communities’’ 27 2 The Missional Church Conversation 41 3 Missional Communities—European Style 65 4 Soma Communities: Missional Communitiesas Organizing Architecture 91 5 Campus Renewal UT: Missional Communitiesas Campus Evangelism Strategy 111 6 Future Travelers: Missional Communitiesas Megachurch Strategy 129 7 Mission Houston: Missional Communitiesfor Spiritual Formation and CommunityTransformation 151 8 Looking Ahead 171 About the Author 181 Index 183 Advertisement 189 9780470633458