A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation -- Review


A FIELD GUIDE FOR THE MISSIONAL CONGREGATION: Embarking on a Journey of Transformation. By Rick Rouse and Craig Van Gelder. Foreword by Martin E. Marty. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008. 144 pp.


As a pastor who believes that the church is called to impact the community, to reach out to those outside the walls with the loving grace of the God we know in Jesus Christ, I’m intrigued by the missional concept. Indeed, my smallish congregation that was once a dominant player among the Protestant congregations of one of the country’s largest cities, was exploring the missional idea even before I got here. The missional idea is attractive because it reminds us that the mission field isn’t over there, it’s here, and we’re all called to be missionaries. It is rooted in theology, but it is a call to action. With that in mind, I’ve been looking for resources, especially ones I could share with my leaders. In this book by Rick Rouse and Craig Van Gelder, I may have found one.

Van Gelder is a professor at a Lutheran seminary and author of an earlier book on the missional movement entitled: The Ministry of the Missional Church (Baker, 2007), while Rouse is a Lutheran pastor from Phoenix. They have written a piece that is intended for use in the local church as a guide to the journey toward transformation. As for their intent: it “is to help release the creative energy of God’s people in today’s church and within your congregation” (p. 15). Too often our churches are held back by red tape and bureaucracy that stifles innovation and creativity, but they want to help release us from such bondage.

To be missional is to discern where God is at work and then join in the action. If we’re to do this, we must understand that the 1950s aren’t coming back. Indeed this is a postmodern world that presents great challenges, but also great opportunities. The greatest of these challenges is the growing disinterest in institutions, especially among the young. Mainline churches, however, have over the years become increasingly institutionalized and rigid. It’s no wonder that these churches reached their peak in the 1960s and have since entered a long season of decline. The future, however, isn’t to be found in quick fixes or church growth fads, but rather in committing ourselves to kingdom growth. That is, we’re not just called to add members, but to make disciples, disciples equipped to impact their world. We are, in a word, called to move from maintenance to mission.

One if the questions that many of us continue to wrestle with is the definition of missional. The authors write that “the key premise of the missional church is that what a congregation does needs to be deeply informed by what a congregation is – what God has made and is making it to be” (p. 26). The work and practices of the church need to be defined by the church’s core values. In trying to understand these two dimensions it’s important, so the authors say, that the churches understand that it is both a human institution and a sacred community. It does have an institutional identity - - it’s a physical entity. But it is also a holy and sacred entity. They write that in Scripture we learn that God has a plan – perhaps an agenda – for the world. God is also a redeeming God who seeks to reconcile all things to God’s self. Finally, we are called to be agents of this reconciliation.

Borrowing from the doctrine of the Trinity the authors suggest that because the “sending” dimension of the Trinity – Father sends Son, Son sends the Spirit – that the church that embodies God’s presence is a “sending” entity. Therefore, they are missional by nature. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the church is gifted and sent to enact God’s work of reconciliation in the world.

The practical side of this work requires that churches engage in developing a vision that can guide their work. To do this they need to develop a brief vision statement that will inculcate in the body a common purpose and vision to guide their work. They suggest that this vision statement be brief and memorable, so that everything the church does can be gauged by it. With this in place the church begins its work by analyzing its context to discern the needs of the community so as to know where God is at work. Once this is undertaken, the church enters its work of ministry. But, to do this effectively it must understand that it is there to minister to the community’s needs not cater to those of the members. It must, therefore, be in listening mode, and lay down its institutional life for those who have yet to enter its doors. This is key if the church is to move beyond simply ministering to those of the older generations, while younger people remain outside, feeling unwelcomed.

As the church sets out on its mission it must develop a healthy climate, one that is open to change and new opportunities. Rather than be reactive, it is responsive. It is willing to be bold and courageous, welcoming new challenges as they come their way. In an age of change the church is called to be that “non-anxious presence” in the world – and the pastor must be that for the congregation. As churches get busy with this work there are five strategic behaviors that need to be developed: 1) get focused, 2) set people free, 3) take action, 4) expect surprises, 5) be hopeful.

What is helpful here is that the authors offer some practical suggestions for becoming such a church, including advice dealing with staffing (both lay and non-lay) and stewardship. They note that conflict needs to be expected, so stay the course. And deal, they say, straightforwardly with signs of resistance, especially rumors (which need to be confronted), with transparency. But, all must be done in an attitude of love. Finally, celebrate the work of mission the church has engaged in.

This is a readable and usable book. It’s recommended to congregations exploring this idea, since it’s one of the more lay-friendly books. It is written by Mainline clergy/scholars and is published by a Mainline publisher. This is the audience that the publisher has in mind, but the one thing that remains unresolved is the question of how one can be progressive and yet missional. Yes, the idea that church is called to be active in the neighborhood crosses theological boundaries, but there remains, even in this book a distinctly evangelical feel. So, there is more to be explored. However, this is a useful resource for churches seeking to be missional. I plan to use it with the church’s elders as they seek to discern our missional future.


Thanks to Fortress Press for review copy.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Great post!! This is an idea I struggle with as how to be missional. Its often easier said then done.. as "life" seems to get in the way. Too often I feel my life is 8-5 Mon-Fri work.. and after work is often filled with activities.. only leaving the weekend, of which Sunday is half gone with church.

Obviously I an be missional with those I interact with during work hours, but its also a very large segment taken up in my life.

Any suggestion are welcomed!!
Robert Cornwall said…
As Wil Willimon pointed out the mission of God takes place where we live -- as a pastor I'm called to help equip the people of God for their work. The reality is that it's possible to be missional in that 8-5 world -- not by being an obnoxious witness, but by working to change the environment and letting God's grace become the foundation of one's work. From there the sky is the limit -- making a difference wherever we're at -- and remembering that God is just as present outside as inside the walls of the church.

Popular Posts