apostolic ministry in denominations??
“The apostolic role within established churches and denominations requires the reinterpreting the denomination’s foundational values in the light of the demands of its mission today. The ultimate goal of these apostolic leaders is to call the denomination away from maintenance, back to mission. The apostolic denominational leader needs to be a visionary, who can outlast significant opposition from within the denominational structures and can build alliances with those who desire change. Furthermore, the strategy of the apostolic leader could involve, casting vision and winning approval for a shift from maintenance to mission. In addition the leader has to encourage signs of life within the existing structures and raise up a new generation of leaders and churches from the old. The apostolic denominational leader needs to ensure the new generation is not “frozen out” by those who resist change. Finally, such a leader must restructure the denominations institutions so that they serve mission purposes.” - Steve Addison
if you want missional church, then…
On with the series of posts on the mDNA of apostolic environment; It is worthy to note again at this point that the church in the West is facing a massive adaptive challenge: positively in the form of compelling opportunity and negatively in the form of rapid, discontinuous change. These twin challenges comprise a considerable threat to Christianity locked as it is into the prevailing Constantinian (Christendom) form of church with all its associated institutional rigidity. We are in a situation of what Roxburgh calls ‘liminality’. Liminality in his view is the transition from one fundamental form of the church to another necessitating the apostolic role. Environments of discontinuous change require adaptive organizations and leadership. As the apostolic role is responsible and gifted for the extension of Christianity, so too the missionary situation requires a pioneering and innovative mode of leadership to help the church negotiate the new territory in which it finds itself. This is clear enough when we consider the Emerging Missional Church which relies heavily on an innovative pioneering spirit and is therefore fundamentally apostolic in nature. But it is equally true for established churches.
what kind of leadership is this?
Returning to our series on TFW: I want to take up the theme of Apostolic Environment. But before we go there, let me just touch base with the question that started my journey to writing TFW in the first place. Its all about the remarkable Jesus movements of history. Ones that seem to grow exponentially without the normal resources that we take for granted. The question that bugged me then, and continues to do so now, is ‘how did they do it?’ One of the clear answers is that they didn’t do it without significant leadership. But that just merely begged a further question: ‘what kind of leadership?” We have all sorts of leadership and training resources today and yet we are in serious decline. So, what was/is the difference? It’s a good question and it begs an equally good answer in response.
my relationship with marilyn monroe
Well, it all started with my relation to Albert Einstein really. I’ve always loved Bertie, but when my sister-in-law did research, she proved that indeed, I am related to him. Here is the proof… Read more
values mapping: some scary insights
This map is a remarkable visual on the levels of individualism and secularism in various parts of the world. No real surprises, but it is interesting Sweden comes up the highest on both these scores. I was in Sweden over this last week and could not get away from the rather despairing feeling that if something is not done, and soon, we are seeing the last generation of Evangelical belief in that magnificent land. Europe is in deep trouble with the rest of us Westerners not far behind. Your thoughts? Read more
interview with christianity today
Here is an interview I did for Christianity Today.
in memoriam
Having been on the road and not having access to the internet, I missed Holocaust memorial day. With the new rise of antisemitism and the British educational system removing references to the holocaust because it offended the delicate sensibilities of Islamic students, I feel that it is necessary to constantly remember, not just as a Jew, but because remembrance is an intrinsic part of biblical faith–we are so tied to history. Let us remember! Read more
the multiplying church
I just got my hard copy of The Multiplying Church, by my good friend BobBob (Bob Roberts Jr.). I wrote the foreword for it and it is genuinely a good book by a great dude. Here is my foreword….
my red bull addiction exposed…
Check this out.
getting around
Hi all. Sorry I have not been blogging regularly. I have bee so busy and have had little time to blog and interact with my friends here at tfw blog. I have been in three time zones in one week. Having a great time…
apostolic environment
Just about to switch into the next element of mDNA, apostolic environment. Should be a hoot of a discussion. Lets start it off with these two quites that I hung at the top of the chapter in the book… Read more
podcast: dave fergusen and me chatting away
I love Dave Ferguson. He wrote The Big Idea. Anyhow, here is a podcast interview he did with me recently for the Exponential Conference next week.
the tangible kingdom
Here is a clip associated with the release of a new book called The Tangible Kingdom by two good friends of mine, Hughdog Halter and Matt Smay. check it out.
leaving a legacy:
Here is a book review of A Leader’s Legacy by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (HT David Mays)
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apostolic ministry in denominations??
- Matt Stone said: Patrick's comments...
- Janet said: They're great questions!...
- Erik said: I must first confess...
- Patrick said: Alan, that's why I like...
- alan hirsch said: Good point Patrick. As...
- Patrick said: "The apostolic... if you want missional church, then…
- Matt Stone said: Ah, but Janet, if I were...
- Janet said: Great post Justin... and...
- Justin Mayfield said: Matt - "We can only...
- Janet said: I don't personally...