Customer Reviews

emergingchurch.intro

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have heard many sermons based on Peter's desire to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Jesus. I have been challenged by those sermons to similarly leave my familiar surroundings and to trust God to use me in a new, fresh way to influence others to Christ. Michael Moynagh challenged me repeatedly to step outside of my traditional view of the church as I read his excellent book, emergingchurch.intro.

Moynagh makes a compelling argument that the church has lost its significant influence on society: "The inherited church is drifting away from society. The number of adults with a Christian background is shrinking. Public indifference to Christianity has the church by the throat."

The term "emerging church" describes a cutting edge church body that is willing to jettison its traditional format that is largely unattractive to the unchurched. Moynagh has written the book in the language of the lay person, but vividly expresses the seriousness of the church losing its audience. An ordained priest in the Church of England, Moynagh writes with a pastor's heart, describing the alarming decline of church attendance in the United Kingdom. A staggering 96% of those fifteen and under (UK) do not attend church.

Moynagh artfully provides vibrant examples of churches that recognized their "come to us" traditional view of the church was no longer attracting the unchurched. These churches stepped out of their traditional comfort zone and, through a plethora of new ideas, changed the staid, traditional style of church into a new, more inviting atmosphere designed to welcome unchurched people. Moynagh honestly points out that change is rarely easy and usually produces growth pains. The growing pains diminish, however, for a church that continues with dwindling attendance and outreach to those without Christ because it refused to change.

The book is very well researched and documented throughout. It also has an appendix with useful websites and additional books on the topic of the "changing church." Most of the examples are based on churches and surveys done in the United Kingdom. The problem with the traditional church, however, clearly exists in the United States, and the ideas to enhance the church's influence offered in the book apply to the church universal. It offers many new options for the church to connect with the contemporary, unchurched world. The book will appeal to anyone concerned with the church's mission to reach those without Christ. I highly recommend this book. -- Jeff Pepple, Christian Book Previews.com

Michael Moynagh emergingchurch.intro (Oxford: Monarch, 2004)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

Michael Moynagh, from his UK perspective, offers a sound introduction to the need and practicalities of fresh expressions of church. Broadly defining emerging churches as 'new expressions of Christian community that have different shapes according to the culture in which they are planted' (p.10), Moynagh says their 'we'll come to you' mindset should be at the heart of mission to the West. He develops a theology for emerging churches: reflecting God's interdependence, experimentation, transformation, sacrifice, reproduction, diversity and unity. Moynagh seeks to help the 'stay-as-we-are brigade' feel the arctic blast of church decline and show that emerging churches make good strategic sense. The book is particularly good at appealing to existing church and denominational leaders to trial and resource emerging churches, and urging emerging church leaders to cooperate with one another and with existing churches. Moynagh's encouraging style reminds me of one of my first church elders telling me, 'You can do it. You're not alone'. He shows how emerging church is within reach - with snapshots of churches starting where they are to do church in creative ways and regain their 'licence to thrill' (p.158). Moynagh advocates listening to culture, practicing grace before preaching it, simplifying structures, and being open to meet less often: 'There is cathedral room for flexibility' (p.168). Moynagh refers to a host of websites including Faithworks for resources to put faith back into community life.

Originally appeared in Darren Cronshaw, `The Emerging Church: Introductory Reading Guide', Zadok Papers, S143 (Summer 2005).