Author: Jonathan Dodson

Revisiting Hirsch/Stetzer Missional Ecclesiology

Posted on January 23, 2009

We had a great discussion in a previous post trying to figure out which should take priority in determining a missional ecclesiology—missiology or ecclesiology? Both Stetzer and Hirsch have kindly provided their schematics to help clarify their positions. Stetzer writes:

My point is that scripture sets the agenda and has provides direction for all three– one does not “come from” the other but they are all derived from scripture, interact with each other, etc

Ed Stetzer

stetzer-missional-matrix

Hirsch explains: We believe that Christology is the singularly most important factor in shaping our mission to the world and the forms of ecclesia and ministry that form that engagement…Before there is any consideration given to the particular aspects of ecclesiology, such as leadership, evangelism or worship, there ought to be a thoroughgoing attempt to reconnect the church with Jesus; that is, to ReJesus.

Alan Hirsch

christology-v2

Stetzer sets Scripture as the starting place and Hirsch begins with Jesus. What are the implications for these slightly different starting places? Do these differences matter?

Free Preview: M. Ward's "Hold Time"

Posted on January 23, 2009

One of my favorite singer/song writers is on the cusp of releasing a much anticipated new album. It’s been three years since M. Ward’s excellent Post-War. While fans have been pining Ward has been busy. In addition to working on his own Hold Time, Ward produced She & Him, as well as contributed to a host of other albums from artists such as: My Morning Jacket, Norah Jones, Bright Eyes, & Lucinda Williams.

Guess what?! You can preview the whole album for free at NPR. “Epistemology” is catchy. Release date is February 17th. Now when is Midlake going to release another album?!

Great Book on Raising Teens

Posted on January 23, 2009

If you are looking for a book on raising teens, Get Outta My Face comes highly recommended. It sold 1000 copies in less than 48 hours over at Westminster Books. There are 500 left at an intro price of $4.88!

“Rick Horne knows from life experience how to do what seems impossible—how to connect with teens. If you care about teenagers, if you work with teens, if you live with a teen, this book will help you reach their hearts.”
– David Powlison, Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

Organic Leadership

Posted on January 23, 2009

Neil Cole’s newest book Organic Leadership can be purchased before it hits Amazon over at CMA Resources! He provides a lengthy description of the book and summaries of the sections on his blog. An excerpt:

In Organic Leadership I challenge many ideas about leadership and church life that we all take for granted. Many of them are faulty ideas about church leadership, which we continue to support but which have never really been evaluated in the light of Scripture. Ideas that corrupt our understanding of the kingdom are addressed such as our tendency to view the church as simply a religious institution with a top-down authoritative structure; and some of the temptations that tend to hijack leadership away from healthy fruitfulness and can actually cause leaders to become detrimental to the work of God’s kingdom; as well as some of the ways we try to force people to live up to a religious code of conduct with manipulative tactics.