The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community (J-B Leadership Network Series)

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It's a hit!

This is a really good, practical discussion of what the church (meaning every Christ-follower) ought to be and do in the real world. What I love a... (show more)

This is a really good, practical discussion of what the church (meaning every Christ-follower) ought to be and do in the real world. What I love about this book is the call to live missionally/incarnationally/biblically.

The difficulties I have with the book are times when we might be asked to make a false choice, as in: either be a Jerusalem Christian (doctrine first) or a Galilee Christian (Jesus first). I don't have to choose one over the other. In some sense, I can't choose one over the other, in that I have to make some doctrinal statement about who Jesus is (as he asked his disciples to do) before I even know which Jesus is first.

Then the other difficulty I have is with his historical and biblical notes on the experiences of the early church. His suggestion is that there were no paid leaders or buildings, etc. Of course, even in the very early days of the church, there were both. Apostles and others were paid and buildings were used (we know of at least the building in Ephesus that Paul rented and the upper room in Troas in which he preached.

We could note other historical issues such as his overstatement regarding persecution, but the point has been made sufficiently.

But, all in all, these are mostly minor issues in my mind. The gist of the book still holds water and even more importantly the heart of the book is compelling and more important still - this man and the people he is serving with are giving example of a community of faith living out what it means to be the church. God bless you, Hugh. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

Halter is definately a guy whose been burned in ministry and his writing reflects it. The chapters on Poster and Paradigm are helpful but overall, ... (show more)

Halter is definately a guy whose been burned in ministry and his writing reflects it. The chapters on Poster and Paradigm are helpful but overall, not a great tool. I've seen better on being missional. (show less)

 

 

by Tim Hall

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  The root of The Tangible Kingdom is in moving sacred experiences into a public, secular environment. This is done on a personal level (spend more time getting to know people and doing things together) and a communal level (do "God things" in food courts, restaurants, coffee shops or whatever). The result is a grassroots community focused on serving strangers, where curious outsiders can experience the fruits of the Kingdom first-hand before ever coming to a worship service.

  The fir... (show more)

  The root of The Tangible Kingdom is in moving sacred experiences into a public, secular environment. This is done on a personal level (spend more time getting to know people and doing things together) and a communal level (do "God things" in food courts, restaurants, coffee shops or whatever). The result is a grassroots community focused on serving strangers, where curious outsiders can experience the fruits of the Kingdom first-hand before ever coming to a worship service.

  The first several chapters focuses on autobiographical anecdotes of the author's shift from evangelical pastoral ministry to "incarnational" community, mingled with discussions on prevailing cultural attitudes toward Christianity. This is often framed in concepts of Modernity and Postmodernity. The former preferred institutions and professionals, so traditional church forms made sense. The latter is suspicious and avoidant of such formality, so he advocates this far more relational, experiential approach.

  The book is light on theology, with just enough to show biblical support and Christ-centeredness for this approach. While it suggests the premise can work in any setting, there's little advice on doing things in a way different than the community the author leads (Adullam - Denver, CO). The idea seems to be if you focus time and energy on doing mission, building community, and sharing communion with God something "incarnational" will emerge.

  I've had a lot of interest in church leadership, so I'll comment on that particularly. Leadership exists in this model, but it is mostly geared to mentoring and example-setting. Church activity is focused on missional service, so leaders do it first and show others how. The example he gives is the difference between a teacher-student relationship and a master-apprentice one. In teaching, a leader explains how to do ministry or what God is like (for instance), and the student theoretically puts this knowledge to practice on their own. In apprenticeship, the leader takes someone and has them do ministry or helps them understand an experience they've already had (or are having). The author illustrates this effectively with several real-life examples.

  My biggest question is: What does it look like in two generations? The author identifies himself as the pastor, and seems to more or less be in charge of the vision. When he's gone, how does this vision pass to the next pastor?

  The bottom line: I found The Tangible Kingdom encouraging, especially the focus on the present Kingdom of God that can be lived out and experienced. It didn't reshape my perspective of the church, but in a way that's part of its value. It's like a building block instead of a blueprint.

  I believe any church leader would find it valuable, as a means of raising discipleship and approaching evangelism in more useful ways. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter would make great discussion for a group, too. (show less)

   

   

  by Jeremy Henson on Sep 10, 2009 at 05:22PM

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  Wow! Stunning. Finally a book that demonstrates how to live and lead incarnationally that doesn't compromise or leave out biblical leadership. This is easily one of the top five "missional" books I've ever read. Thorough, thought provoking, liberating, challenging and practical this book answered the real life questions I've wrestled with as a church planter.

  A must read for any church planter, pastor or pew sitter looking for something more than the destructive -isms that s... (show more)

  Wow! Stunning. Finally a book that demonstrates how to live and lead incarnationally that doesn't compromise or leave out biblical leadership. This is easily one of the top five "missional" books I've ever read. Thorough, thought provoking, liberating, challenging and practical this book answered the real life questions I've wrestled with as a church planter.

  A must read for any church planter, pastor or pew sitter looking for something more than the destructive -isms that so often supplant a dynamic faith lived out in community- legalism, consumerism, individualism and materialism.

  And this book is great for the jaded, the skeptical and the hostile in regard to Christianity. Hugh and Matt point to a Christianity that reflects the character and mission of Jesus - a radically different vision than you are used to seeing on the nightly news - or in the churches you were raised in.

  I highly recommend this book for anyone. (show less)

   

  by Facebook User on Mar 04, 2009 at 10:41PM

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