notes
Here is a PDF of the slides used in the presentation.
books
The Church by Hans Kung is the classic work on the Church. Kung is a Roman Catholic theologian but don’t let that scare you. Rarely do evangelicals or pentecostals write with such reflective depth on the very topic which dominates the call we have been given by God! Be provoked and challenged. Don’t be distracted by what you may not agree with. You cannot read this book with coming away with a high regard and deep love for the Church of Jesus Christ we have been called to build.
Life Together is the classic reflection on cultivating the Christian Life amidst the reality of doing community that is both inspiring, challenging, and messy.
Out of the Fourth Place: this might be a provocative read to challenge how we think about “doing” church and expressing God’s Kingdom presence through a community. This book raises a challenging question: do we need a paradigm shift in how we think about “doing church”.
Contagious Disciplemaking is one book among many that is exploring disciple-making models that are easily duplicated and multiplied.
Master Plan of Evangelism is a classic for a reason. It is simple, achievable, and easily multiplied. This thin little removes the mystery around the questions: what do I do? how do I do it? where do I start?
A Theology As Big As the City: How does God see the city? What does Scripture have to say about urban ministry? These are the questions Ray Bakke has systematically addressed, beginning with Genesis and continuing through to Revelation. Here is a biblical theology that will constantly surprise and challenge as you get a glimpse of how big God's view of the city really is.
During Covid, we are seeing urban people (who can afford it) relocating to more rural locations. The challenge will be that they are bringing the urban mindset/problems with them. Many of us will need “bigger” theologies.
These following 3 books by Michael Moynagh are to my thinking some of the finest and perceptive writing on the Church.
Being Church/Doing Life is a distillation of his “denser” writing with a particular nod to provide case studies of missional churches whose approach is fresh, prophetic, and street-level accessible. Great examples of missional communities who understand their social mosaics.
Church In Life: Innovation, Mission, and Ecclesiology provides a theological framework that encourages innovative approaches to mission and vibrant church community. Moynagh is always thoughtful, perceptive, and deeply aware of the social context we are called to lead in.
Church for Every Context: An Introduction to Theology and Practice is Moynagh’s first book. What is Moynagh’s introduction would be considered another’s magnum opus! This is a magnificent treatise on the Church of Jesus Christ with additional reflection on our worship, discipleship, and community.
Michael Moynagh Videos
Here is a brief interview he did with Ed Stetzer in Christianity Today
And now for something completely different:
Brilliant is an opportunity to learn how to think outside your box and limitations by learning new skills and insights in disciplines very few of us know anything about. The Joys of Problem Solving, Probability, Outside the Box Geometry, Science Essentials, Physics of the Everyday are all good places to start. These are not lectures. Brilliant uses problem solving and puzzles to teach. Learning outside of our box helps us to think outside the box!
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