Sue's Musings

When I first started this book it had me hooked by the second paragraph – then I realized I was reading about the Network that produced the book – I wasn’t even on page 1! And I haven’t been disappointed as I kept reading. This book talks gives a very simple definition of missional leadership: “creating an environment within which the people of God in a particular location may thrive.” Which means we as leaders don’t have to change a church – but we are responsible for the goal of creating the environment in which a church can move toward the missional model.

There are two things that really stood out for me in this book. First, it challenges us to rethink the assumption that if a church seems dead, listless, unmotivated, etc., that we would make better use of our time and efforts to focus on those churches where there is already energy and understanding. The authors remind us that is is precisely where the people of God have been most knocked down, depressed, or even dead, that God’s Spirit does it’s most dramatic work! (Remember Easter – dead, then alive….)

Second, it talks about specific things we as leaders can do to help churches awake to the Spirit of God at work in them, and move toward that missional model. This includes nurturing attributes in our own character, and steps we can take in conversation with others, to awaken that awareness and foster a new desire.

If you are trying to find a way to get your church off “dead-center” or to take it to the next step on it’s missional journey – or if you are still trying to figure out what this “missional” thing is, you might want to spend some time in this book.