Monday, May 25, 2009

Total Church

a Biblical thought...
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Psalm 33:3-4)

a Book thought...
Sixty years after Herbert Booth had dreamt of establishing the Army in New Guinea the Army flag was planted in that land. (p204)
a Dave thought...
In this new book Tim & Steve outline and apply a pair of overarching biblical principles that call the current body of Christ to a deep restructuring of its life and mission.
"Church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter," write pastors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. "It's an identity that is ours in Christ. An identity that shapes the whole of life so that life and mission become 'total church.'" With that as their premise, they emphasize two overarching principles to govern the practice of church and mission: being gospel-centered and being community-centered. When these principles take precedence, say the authors, the truth of the Word is upheld, the mission of the gospel is carried out, and the priority of relationships is practiced in radical ways. The church becomes not just another commitment to juggle but a 24/7 lifestyle where programs, big events, and teaching from one person take a backseat to sharing lives, reaching out, and learning about God together.

Just a thought.

1 comment:

David said...

Total church, like totally dying in the arse old farts graveyard Salvos corps churches?

Where the walking dead greet each other in a weekly ritual. Is that the mission of the gospel being carried out?