Skip to main content

Book Review: Missional Moves


The subtitle reveals the simple premise of the book: 15 tectonic shifts that transform churches, communities and the world. As expected, each chapter deals with one of the fifteen tectonic shifts. What are these tectonic shifts? In a word, these shifts interact with the concept of mission, missional living or the more technical term, missiology. It is the belief of the authors that most churches are unaware of these shifts and therefore, are less effective in reaching the world for Christ. So this book boldly seeks to inform a generation of church leaders through the experimental lens of Granger Community Church (a megachurch in Northern Indiana where the author, Rob Wegner, is one of the lead pastors).

It is not in the scope of this review to critically interact with each tectonic shift, but extensive comments on a few key shifts are necessary.

Let’s begin with the Shift #1: Saved souls to Saved wholes. The authors contend that many churches preach an incomplete gospel or maybe more specifically, only part of the grand story of salvation. These churches tend to focus on the life insurance aspect of the gospel (i.e. saved souls), rather than the salvific blessings which are intended for this life and the next (i.e. saved wholes). According to the authors, the sad result has been a response that is decisional and private, rather than transformational and public. In other words, what is often missing in the “saved souls” version is the emphasis on Lordship.

To the majority of the above paragraph, I say, “Amen”. Furthermore, I appreciate the authors beginning with the gospel. I agree with the statement found on page 40, “Every other missional move is contingent upon getting this one right”.

Yet I am still slightly uncomfortable with the distinction of “saved souls” to “saved wholes”. Scripturally, there is no theological distinction in justification between soul and whole. Justification by faith alone assumes trust, which assumes Lordship. When the soul is regenerated, the whole is also regenerated.

So though I like that the move is “catchy”, let us not become weary in pursuing theological “precision” as well.

My favorite chapter is Shift #2, From Missions to Mission. Though I am personally familiar with this shift, the basic graph on p. 49 says it all. The graph places the ministry of “missions” alongside arts, children, small groups, youth, etc. The problem? Missions is seen as a specialized category of ministry, rather than “THE MISSION” given to every Christian. In my opinion, this chapter alone is worth the price of the book.  

Now this does not mean I embrace everything in chapter two. The formula espoused by the authors: Local church on mission + People of God on mission = Apostolic movement is again catchy, but invoking the word “apostolic” for anything other than the direct ministry of the 12 original apostles is unwise and hermeneutically cavalier. Post 1st century Christians are called disciples, followers and slaves of Jesus Christ, but never His apostles.

Another helpful element is that this book not only explains the “shifts” themselves, but also how to implement these movements into the life of the local church. The clearest example of this is found in chapter 7, From Transactional to Transformational Partnerships. The authors explain,
“The old model sent out organizations to do the work of mission, leaving the local church behind to provide money. The local church was involved, but not directly” (p. 168).
So the issue the authors wrestle with is, “How do we get local churches involved directly and still use these essential partnerships?”

With the use of illustrations, graphs and the experimental history of Granger, the reader is given a roadmap to build local church involvement and partnership, which functions as a wonderful resource, especially for those leaders in established churches.

Criticism

Other than the occasional examples of theological ambiguity, my only other criticism is this: 15 missional moves was too much. I think the maxim “Less is more” applies here. Limiting and then expanding 5-7 moves would have been more useful in my opinion.


                                               Conclusion

Would I recommend this book? Yes, but only to mature pastor or church leader. The authors are unabashedly seeker-driven (attractional, in their words) and their philosophy is woven through this book. Yet there are also profound insights regarding missiology that if absorbed correctly could benefit both the church leader and the church itself.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Comments

  1. Good comments on the book... I am familiar with Granger... agree that maybe 15 axioms is a bit much, but who knows...? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. Clint,

    Thanks for being a part of the Missional Moves blog tour. I appreciated the clarity and precision you used to differentiate between what you agreed with and that which gave you cause for concern.

    Shaun Tabatt
    Cross Focused Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  3. Clint! Thank you so much for taking the time to review Missional Moves. Would it make you laugh to know that when Rob and i finished our first draft of the book, we actually had 225,000 words? The end product was just a little under 70,000 and we felt like we had to amputate precious limbs or digits in the cutting process to make that marker. A lot of that is why we have such a significant amount of supplemental content on Missionalmoves.com, including free eBooks and other downloads. We actually considered writing everything as three separate books, but were afraid if people stalled out on the theological section that they wouldn't continue to the more pragmatic second and third. Anyway, thank you again for your time and consideration. We are, as you say, unabashedly seeker-driven, but hopefully at the same time in Missional Moves demonstrated our belief that "the most effective attractional churches will be well equipped to be missional as well" (i.e. the Genius of the AND). At least, we here at GCC have endeavored to be such. Thanks again! - jack magruder

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

C.S. Lewis—A man who smoked and drank alcohol

One of the most engaging seminars on C.S. Lewis was done by Dr. Knox Chamblin (who died earlier this year) at Reformed Theological Seminary. This series explored primarily Lewis’ life, his works and his theology. In one of the earlier seminars, Dr. Chamblin shared this historic interaction between the well-known fundamentalist Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and C.S. Lewis. Asked afterwards for an assessment regarding the Oxford Don, Dr. Jones stated, “That man smokes a pipe….and that man drinks liquor….but I do believe he is a Christian!” This quote leads us into the central thesis of this blog post, “What is the Christian’s position regarding alcohol and tobacco?” I admit grappling with this issue is nothing new in the blogosphere or in pockets of evangelicalism.  Furthermore, I will gladly confess that this blog post will not bring anything original to this provocative topic. Being a Christian is not about abstaining from alcohol or tobacco. I used to judge the individua

George Whitefield—A man who (knowingly) married an unattractive woman

Throughout the next few weeks, this blog will examine certain “snapshots” of George Whitefield, which I hope will bring a deeper appreciation for this servant and a greater love for the God whom he gave his life to. Here is a quote from Whitefield: “I married one who was a widow, of about 36 years of age….neither rich in fortune nor beautiful as to her person , but, I believe a true child of God, and would not, I think, attempt to hinder me in his work for the world.” (p.113) If the words of Whitefield come as a shock to you, then the events leading up to the marriage will absolutely astonish you. Whitefield himself never thought of himself as a lifetime bachelor. He assumed that God had someone special for him. Yet he would have never imagined that his friendship with the great Howell Harris would lead him to his wife. Who is Howell Harris? History describes him as fearless, dynamic, tireless and “a man’s man”. From his conversion, this school teacher began to preach the

George Müller—A man who read his bible on his knees

“The passion of George Müller’s soul was to know fully the secrets of prevailing with God and with man. George Whitefield’s life drove home the truth that God alone could create in him a holy earnestness to win souls and qualify him for such divine work by imparting a compassion for the lost that should become an absorbing passion for their salvation. And—let this be carefully marked as another secret of this life of service—he now began himself to read the word of God upon his knees , and often found for hours great blessing in such meditation and prayer over a single psalm or chapter .” (p. 138-139) Here is the disclaimer: It is not the posture of prayer that ultimately matters to God. But it is wrong to say that posture doesn’t matter, because our posture often reflects what is happening in our hearts. After reading this you may be thinking, “Good for George Müller. He has his way and I have mine. God only wants my heart.” Fair enough. But before you shut the “door of se