Introducing the Missional Church

by Alan J. Roxburgh; M. Scott Boren

Publisher:

Baker

, 2009

Overview

Ours is a post-Christian culture, making it necessary for church leaders to think like missionaries right here at home. In Introducing the Missional Church, two leading voices in the missional movement provide an accessible introduction, explaining how the movement developed, why it’s important, and how churches can become more missional.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Couples theological depth with creative thinking providing a new perspective for approaching the church
• Explains how churches can be more missional
• Introduces the concepts and history of the missional church movement

Contents

• Part I: One Missional River
  • Not All Who Wander Are Lost: Stories of a Church in Between
  • Just Give Me a Definition: Why Missional Church Is So Hard to Define
  • Does Missional Fit? Can My Church Be Missional?
• Part II: Three Missional Conversations
  • What’s Behind the Wardrobe? The Center of the Missional Church
  • We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: Missionaries in Our Own Land
  • Why Do We Need Theology? Missional Is about God, Not the Church
  • God’s Dream for the World: What Is a Contrast Society?
• Part III: Countless Missional Journeys
  • The Journey Ahead: Following the Winds of the Spirit
  • Starting from Here: Where Is Your Church Now?
  • The Missional Change Model: Getting There from Here
  • The Awareness Stage: Staring Reality in the Face
  • The Understanding Stage: Can We Really Talk about These Things?
  • The Evaluation Stage: A Snapshot of the Church
  • The Work of the Church Board: How Do Innovators and Traditionalists Work Together?
  • The Experiment Stage: Little Steps toward Something Big

Top Highlights

“God’s dream for the world is about the redemption of all creation, not just individuals getting into heaven; it is about the restoration of life as God intended it to be; it is about realigning life around God and God’s ways.” (Pages 101–102)

“That being said, elements of modernity lead to the elimination of mystery from its vocabulary because it deems the word to represent a kind of obscurantism that is afraid of using the mind to solve tough problems.” (Pages 57–58)

“Mark Priddy had made his home in Eagle, Idaho, since moving his business there from Southern California. His family had settled into a large church in downtown Boise where the children attended a private school. Everyone’s life had grown increasingly busy with the rounds of church meetings and driving kids to all kinds of events. Without a clear sense of direction but a growing dissatisfaction with the craziness of life, Mark and Jeanette pulled the kids out of private school, considered how to form church in their neighborhood, and gathered some friends to pray with them. They soon became aware of the kids in the community and the fact that there were few places for them to connect.” (Page 52)

“Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury, summarizes this imagination in this way: ‘It is not the church of God that has a mission. It’s the God of mission that has a church.’ He is saying God is at work in the world to redeem creation, and God invites us to participate in this mission. God is not interested in getting more and more people into the institution of the church. Instead the church is to be God’s hands and feet in accomplishing God’s mission.” (Page 20)

Praise for the Print Edition

Roxburgh and Boren offer the clearest explication of missional thinking. I believe this book is the very best on the missional church. Highly recommended.

—Ryan Bolger, associate professor of church in contemporary culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

If you’ve ever wondered what ‘missional’ means and what real difference it makes in the life of the church, this is the place to start.

—John R. Franke, theologian in residence, First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, PA

A wonderful, imaginative exploration into what it means for the church to be missional. Roxburgh and Boren navigate through the defining issues and then give us concrete means for leading our churches through the transition. It is the book we have sorely needed.

—David Fitch, B.R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary

Introducing the Missional Church supplies one’s journey with God into the uncharted waters of being God’s people in a changing culture.

—C. Gene Wilkes, senior pastor, Legacy Church, Plano, TX

Product Details

• Title: Introducing the Missional Church: What It Is, Why It Matters, How to Become One
• Authors: Alan J. Roxburgh, M. Scott Boren
• Series: Allelon Missional Series
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 208
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Mission of the church; Missions › Theory
• ISBNs: 9781441257260, 9780801072123, 1441257268, 0801072123
• Resource ID: LLS:INTROMSSNLCHRCH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:46:06Z

About the Authors

Alan J. Roxburgh is a teacher, trainer, and consultant who works with Allelon and framing resources for the missional church internationally. He coordinates an international project involving leaders from 12 nations who are examining leadership formation in a globalized world. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Missional Church, The Missional Leader and Leadership, Liminality and the Missionary Congregation, and Reaching a New Generation.

M. Scott Boren is one of the pastors at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a trainer, consultant, and author of The Relational Way: How Do We Get There From Here? He works with Allelon in developing training materials on the missional church.