My good friend Alan Hirsch of FORGE has a new book “The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church” and it has just been released. But you knew that already. I am running a little late on this blog post but at the same time, Alan and our DAWN team have a special offer for you if you want to do a custom online course beginning next month – with us and our team. You will be part of a three month European “cohort” and you will get a discount on the cost. Apparently they worked this out earlier this month in Copenhagen – I was supposed to be there but got stuck in Scotland.
But anyway . . . the book. An excellent book and most worthy of your attention. You open it up and the first words you read are these . . .
“The Forgotten Ways is a compelling challenge to awaken the church’s innate entrepreneurial instinct and propel it into the fringes of our emerging culture. I recommend it highly, especially to those endowed with the boldness to align the church’s operating system with the missional heart of God”
Andrew Jones, www.tallskinnykiwi.com
Well said! I couldn’t have put it any more eloquently myself!
Alan’s book is a full package training course packed into a book. I was with Alan last year in Switzerland as he taught through this material – much to the delight of German speaking ministry leaders – and I can tell you that this will be a big seller among denominational and mission executives, strategists and those gifted with apostolic potential but don’t know what to do with it. And honestly, not much has been written for apostles in recent years. And Alan’s teaching on communitas vs. community is really worth thinking through.
In their previous book The Shaping of Things to Come, Alan and Michael Frost laid down some missiological and theological background for emerging missional church movements. Alan picks up on this and gets more practical and strategic in this new book The Forgotten Ways. Michael’s new book “Exiles” is also worth buying, and it takes a more personal, lifestyle approach to missional living and community. Both books rock and it would be fair to say that both Alan and Frosty should be on everyone’s Top Ten reading list for emerging-missional books.
But if you haven’t got Shaping of Things to Come, I suggest buying it first. Its a good primer on missiological issues that back up emerging church thinking.
MORE:
Read a sample [PDF]
Read some reviews on Subversive Influence, Reformissionary, Next Reformation, PoopEmerges, JesusCreed, and Easum/Bandy who give it book of the month and call it a “must read”
And if you want to get in on our Euro-team cohort with DAWN Europe and Alan, then send me an email and i can get you sorted.
Technorati Tags: alan hirsch, emerging church, forgotton ways, missiology, mission, missional
Classic.
Sounds worth reading also!
Darn you are a naughty man! And never mind your bum; my face looks all fat! (That’s cos it probably is.) Am I really that obsessed. Don’t answer that! I know I’m obsessed. Please help me TSK.
Thanks for the great review. Now when is yours coming out?
Very neat artwork BTW!
my book, Alan? Every time i say “this year” i get people laughing at me and reminding me of past attempts.
but i really do want to put out some publications in paper this year. . . .
PRAY FOR ME!!!
Yes, Alan’s book really is helpful in giving language to concepts that are often intuited by folks engaging (or trying to) in missional activity. I used the chapter on community/communitas last weekend to open up a discussion and reflection for one small organisation. The concept of liminality leading to communitas was helpful for them to better understand what they’re actually doing. It also helps me reflect on my own experiences – both past and current, with a view to the future.
Thanks Tony. I love the communitas mDNA. It always beckons me forward.
Hi Andrew
Great to see you and Alan on the shores of lake Thun. Thun is my new home since last december. I’m now a neighour to Reinhold (almost!). Hope to welcome you back in this region.
Greetings. Mike
hi mike. i love Thun. I will be back there briefly in april and also in wilderwil for eurochurch conference.
This review is awesome. I love me some comics. I’ll have to check out The Forgotten Ways.
If you’re serious about writing/releasing a book in the next 12 months, let’s talk. I’d love to be a part. 🙂
i am. thanks mike.
as for comics, i bought the program ComicLife last year to produce these. it makes it really easy. $20 well spent .. . if i make enough of them.