Book Review 3 - God's Missionary People

Chapter 1: A New Perspective of the Local Church
The church is that of a tiny planted tree that grows to protect and nourish. It has entered into a global era and we must understand how church and mission are tied together. Congregations must be re-educated to be minded as God's missionary people.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Modern Ecclesiology on the Local Church
In order for us to be global minded, we need to shift our paradigm. The church is a constant growing and changing entity as it is emerging and becoming. It is a "sociological entity with a spiritual nature."

Chapter 3: The Essence of the Local Church in the Book of Ephesians
Ephesians shows us what Paul's desire and view is for the church. We need to be united, holy by our love, and embracing of all (meaning the gospel is for all peoples).

Chapter 4: The Essence of the Local Church in Historical Perspective
As the church is a growing and emerging entity, it is constantly needing to find the balance between what it is and should be; it needs to find the nature of having the attributes of Christ but dwelling in the realities of the world.

Chapter 5: Restating the Missionary Intention of the Local Church
The church exists and is here for the world. It is exists for the oppressed. The message also needs to hit the masses - growth was important and vital to the first church.

Chapter 6: The Purpose of the Local Church
We must understand the purpose of the church not by what we want it to be or what the world desires or needs, but by Jesus alone. The greatest commandment: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (koinonia, kerygma, diakonia, and martyria).

Chapter 7: The Local Church and the Kingdom of God
In order for the local congregations to be missional minded, there must be a deeper understanding of the big picture - to the tie in/connection to the Kingdom of God in the world. The church is under the rule of the King, it is the center of the rule of the King, it is the representative of the rule of the King (the first-fruits of the Kingdom), and it is to be the mouthpiece/messenger of the rule of the King.

Chapter 8: The Role of the Local Church in the World
Jesus commissions the church to be his representative (his body) through his disciples. It is through the various roles of prophet, priest and king that the church ministers. The church should also know its role as healer and liberator. (This chapter was especially moving to me as I'm dealing and reading through some highly offensive material from Zondervan on a book that they've published that marginalizes Asians and Asian Americans. There's much dialogue on reconciliation and healing and what needs to be done in order for that to happen. Very interesting and timely).

Chapter 9: Missional Goals in the Local Church
The church is supposed to be a bridge builder. In order to be effective bridge builders, the church needs to be sure to evaluate its functionality or dysfunctionality in its systems.

Chapter 10: Missionary Members in the Local Church
All people in the church are part of the people of God. All are called to be missionaries and aren't in the church simply to be helpers to the professionals and simply do their bidding. How many more people could be reached if pastors in the church would stop trying to have all the power?!

Chapter 11: Missionary Leaders in the Local Church
Church leaders should be perceived as being leader-catalysts - ones that model a way that motivates people to want to achieve missionary goals. Leaders are more than just the doers of the congregation - they provide the heart of missionary congregations.

Chapter 12: Missional Administration in the Local Church
It is the administration that are the doers - the hands and feet of the church. They are an essential part of the body to keep the church functioning properly. Through their spiritual leadership, the administration faces the realities of problems that arise, organize and maintain the NT principles and all so that the church can always know how it is fitting into its context.