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Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community
"Church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter," writepastors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. "It's an identity that isours in Christ. An identity that shapes the whole of life so thatlife and mission become 'total church.'" With that as theirpremise, they emphasize two overarching principles to govern thepractice of church and mission: being go
...morePaperback, 224 pages
Published
September 30th 2008
by Crossway Books
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Good practical book on church and community. The authors basically apply the principle that the church is gospel/word and community/mission centered to things like evangelism, missions, discipleship, the pastorate, etc.
Just some highlights from his section of church planting:
"Second-generation 'Christians' are those without their own living experience of the gospel. Second-generation churches are those who have lost their gospel cutting edge. It may be that a fiftieth ch...more
Just some highlights from his section of church planting:
"Second-generation 'Christians' are those without their own living experience of the gospel. Second-generation churches are those who have lost their gospel cutting edge. It may be that a fiftieth ch...more
This is a book in which the authors write as if they have just invented fire, or rather recieved it express delivery from heaven... they completely disregard historic, and contemporary precedent for their "gospel & community" approach, falling into the trap of some of the "back to the New Testament Church" brigade, who forget that those NT models sat within a specific time and culture. Their approach to the poor is patronising. Their attitude to other forms of ecclesiology is...more
Chester and Timmis are "ministers" in home churches in Great Britain and though they say early in the book that that will not cause them to have any biases, that is clearly not the case (p. 124 for their view of Clergy). Much of what they say is good and pretty standard fare for churches who want to serve the Lord. However, they have several serious problems: First, Total Church is man centered and focused rather than God centered. This is seen in that everything in the book, called "...more
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I'm going to stop reading ecclesiology books for a while. This book may be quite good on its own. It emphasizes the importance of intimate gospel communtiies, with a strong focus on Biblical fidelity and authentic relationships, which is good, but not anything that isn't in all of the other ecclesiology I've read in the last two years. The level of commitment to small communities is remarkably high, so there is value in that, but I don't know if I'm ready to really apply it to my life and my chu...more
Great book. Sets out a vision and a roadmap for a more Gospel and Community based church (as opposed to Law and Institutional I suppose although that is oversimplifying).
The one chapter that didn't ring true to me was the one on spirituality. The authors set up dichotomies between the Bible and contemplation; petition and silence; and community and solitude, Saying that the former in each case was, in principle, better than the latter. The final one in particular, but each one rang f...more
The one chapter that didn't ring true to me was the one on spirituality. The authors set up dichotomies between the Bible and contemplation; petition and silence; and community and solitude, Saying that the former in each case was, in principle, better than the latter. The final one in particular, but each one rang f...more
Timothy Bertolet
added it
This book covers various aspects of the church and the ways God has called her to be salt and light. It drives forward with a gospel focus so that the reader feels like he/she is constantly pushed towards Christ. While brief, it is insightful into the Biblical reasons for various ministries. Most helpful is that the fact that this is not a list of "how to's" but it pushes deeper to the "why's". It offers helpful insights into things contemporary churches must overcome and how...more
This book took over 200 pages to say what could have been boiled down to about four paragraphs. I suppose it would be somewhat worthwhile for someone that is new to the church to read, but there is definitely nothing new under the sun with this book! It contains such "insights" as, "It is our responsibility and privilege as Christians to be engaged in world mission" (Page 99). Shocker! That is from the chapter titled "World Mission." The rest of the chapter tri...more
This is probably one of the best recent books that reflect a method for ministry that is accessible AND contains deep theological reflections. I have read some good missional church books that are too abstract for most without a seminary degree or equivalent personal study. I have read several books of the upcoming generation of leaders that are experimenting with some promising ministry models but fail to support it theologically. There is a plethora of books out these days about emerging or...more
The term “missional” is over-used and much abused today. Some bristle at the descriptor for it’s cutting-edge, postmodern feel. But the basic gist of the idea makes a lot of sense. It all boils down to going vs. sending. Simply put: attracting people to a church with it’s programs is not the NT model for “doing church”. Rather than sending people to our church, we should be going to where the people are and reaching them. We should gather as believers to be built up, edified, and most of all to ...more
Deals with the essence of the local church.
Engages with contemporary ideals of church institutional and non-institutional and provides a basis for a biblical church. Doesn't simply deal with theory, however, but portrays it in such a way that you think to yourself, "Yeah... this could actually be done."
It is not diametrically opposed to the institutional church as many emerging church persons and the emergent church movement is, but is not up in arms against tho...more
Engages with contemporary ideals of church institutional and non-institutional and provides a basis for a biblical church. Doesn't simply deal with theory, however, but portrays it in such a way that you think to yourself, "Yeah... this could actually be done."
It is not diametrically opposed to the institutional church as many emerging church persons and the emergent church movement is, but is not up in arms against tho...more
Wow. Turns everything upside down and articulates so many things that have always seemed 'off' but are hard to put your finger on. Its all about love and the gospel and community. Heartbreaking and heart-filling, its a glimpse of the future via post-Christian western Europe. Very provocative, full of great ideas even if you don't buy totally into their exact vision.
A very helpful and practical book for the local church. It kind of tails off in the second half, but there is a lot of good meat to consider as it relates to what the church is and what the church is to be about. I don't agree with all of their conclusions but I underlined a lot and, as a pastor, will be taking a lot of what they have written into consideration.
This book was a challenging read, not because the material is difficult but because the material is outside typical approaches on this subject. However, the author's work hard at being gospel centered and biblically driven and I think this shines through in their work. If you are interested in thinking outside the box - this book is worth the read.
Half of the book was a 5, the other a 3. This book gives the modern western church a wake up call and points us at the church of Acts and how they lived with each other, and how we are falling woefully short of the standard that they set for us. I loved the book, as a lover of Christ's body here on earth (the church) I desire for the church to live as Christ desires us to, and this book points us in the right direction.
Amazing. If you took the church and redeemed and restored it to it's original purpose, it would be the church shared within these pages. It is truly the church I long for.
The last in my set of "Church" books. This one was the most thought provoking, because it pokes and prods still more my uncritical acceptance of institutional church as I've known it! Claims convincingly that everything revolves around the gospel (Word) and community. Very helpful, very challenging. And it's not out of reach either. I'll be referencing this book often.
Appreciate strong emphasis on both mission and community. Basically, it echoed my own concerns about the church getting lost in its structures.
An excellent yet simple book on missional community. This book help explain what it REALLY looks like to do church in community. A must read!
All those who wonder if there is a better way to 'do' church should read this
Widsith
marked it as to-read
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community (Re:Lit) by Tim Chester (2008)
A great picture of what it means to be the church, taking into account the practical life of the church and not just talking in ideals.
kinda repetitive but says important things.
Raised some really important questions.
Total Church basically describes a relational and community approach to evangelism that I <3
real good
So far, one of the best practical books on evangelism I have read. Challenges you to think critically about the context and atmosphere you minister and fellowship in. There was a good bit that I disagreed with (especially when it comes to ch. govt.), but I joyfully agreed with their main arguments. I would enthusiastically recommend this book.
Mostly very good.
Working through this with some of the pastors at 7MR. Really helpful, will re-read
One of the best books I've ever read and the best book I've ever read about church ministry. Chester and Timmis lay out a vision of what the church should be, can be, and is really all about. This is one of only a few books I have extra copies of just to give away.
A very interesting and challenging book which deals with the issues of mission in inner city communities. Even if you don't agree with all of the conclusions, this will still challenge you.
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