Christendom is dying and needs to be removed from its life-support system. Starting with this frank assessment of the current church, Michael Frost...
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reviews
Feb 18, 2009
William Edward
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I think this book paints an accurate picture of the major problems facing the Western Church and poses viable and theologically valid propositions for how to truly engage evangelism in this post-Christian American culture. I do, however, believe that there are many Pastors who would, if they had been properly educated and trained at the Seminary level, adopt a model of "Church" that sheds the hierarchal-authoratative structure and actually makes an impact in their communities. I also
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Jan 25, 2011
Steph
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Wow. This was a great book. But also a somewhat unsettling book. It's the sort of book that challenges you to get up and do something, as illustrated so well by the image of Kirkegaard's geese who learn all about their ultimate destiny of flying but yet live in the safety of the farmyard. It is a book that I think I will be processing for a while. I may write about it on my blog if I have time. One last salient image I am pondering is that of the centered-set church (represented by a type
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Jul 29, 2011
Jonathan
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I find the issues raised by the authors of the book very challenging. The authors make it known that they are "modeling" ministry/ church for the post-Christendom generation, namely the for the Western perspective. I am Asian and some of the suggestions seem out of context for now. But i do see shits happening where i am and the book is prophetic in nature to how i find it. Some of the stuff i found difficult to grasp, maybe because i am no familiar with the subject at hand. I would re
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Mar 20, 2009
Shane
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I love this book. This is what much of my churches philosophy of church originates from. Not theology mind you, but philosophy.
If you've noticed that church isn't working like it should, then you should read this book and watch it turn your world upside down. The sad reality is that the average church member will not be bold enough to embrace most of these practices.
I didn't see eye to eye with the authors %100 of the time, but as a whole this book is exactly what my church needed More...
If you've noticed that church isn't working like it should, then you should read this book and watch it turn your world upside down. The sad reality is that the average church member will not be bold enough to embrace most of these practices.
I didn't see eye to eye with the authors %100 of the time, but as a whole this book is exactly what my church needed More...
Feb 02, 2011
Roger
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Finished reading this a month or two ago - but I'm delayed in posting my reviews.
I enjoyed the majority of this book. Frost and Hirsch discuss what Christian mission looks like in today's modern developed world - and how certain mission strategies of the past are no longer effective in reaching post-modernists. I particularly enjoyed the many examples of Christians performing mission in new and unique ways that are relevant to the 'culture' they are attempting to reach. Part of my read More...
I enjoyed the majority of this book. Frost and Hirsch discuss what Christian mission looks like in today's modern developed world - and how certain mission strategies of the past are no longer effective in reaching post-modernists. I particularly enjoyed the many examples of Christians performing mission in new and unique ways that are relevant to the 'culture' they are attempting to reach. Part of my read More...
Mar 08, 2008
Karen L.
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The authors define a lot of new emergent church terms and even have a glossary in the back of the book. He defines and discusses a need for more missional communities. They give some nice out reach examples, but these could be done by church folks in existing churches. No need to leave and start a new one.Having visited lot's of different churches and denominations (was a former missionary to a foreign field with a para church organization) , it seems that this emergent church mode gets into th
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Apr 08, 2008
Dan
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OK, a friend asked me to read this and discuss it with him. I was not a fan of their critique of "The Western Church". I believe that some of their criticism is correct, but I don't appreciate someone taking pot shots at pastors and their churches by lumping them all in the same category.
The main thesis of the text is the discussion of "Incarnational Ministry". Living in the culture that you are trying to win for Christ. They write as though this is a new conc More...
The main thesis of the text is the discussion of "Incarnational Ministry". Living in the culture that you are trying to win for Christ. They write as though this is a new conc More...
Aug 04, 2011
This book has so many unforgettable quotes, it's hard to choose one to describe it. I'll paraphrase since the book isn't in front of me. "Jesus said 'Go and make disciples' but our church buildings say 'Stay'. If the church building is the only place we can meaningfully connect with unbelievers...then we're in trouble."
May 31, 2011
Timothy
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I liked this book but it was more diagrams and theory than I'd hoped for. Hirsch and Frost provide some interesting examples of people living out in various ways to make natural connections to people rather than beating them over the head with a Scoffield Bible. It wasn't the easiest of reads but not a bad read.
Nov 13, 2010
Mish
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This book turned my thinking about Western institutionalized church inside out and upside down. I was both challenged and encouraged as Frost and Hirsch present a refreshing, innovative and incarnational approach to mission and the building of gospel centred communities.
Feb 21, 2008
Daniel
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This is a seminal text for the emerging church, yet it covers so much more than the emerging church. It's basically a new paradigm for church covered in a systematic way. Unfortunately, its heavily based in experience and little in terms of biblical theology and exegesis. Yes Hirsch and Frost use the bible to back up their claims, but they do not systematically study the bible to come up with a theology that supports their claims. I suppose doing that would be modernistic and would go comple
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May 17, 2011
Skip
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This book forever changed the way I think about church and ministry in the western world. It entered me into "missional" thinking, and I can't go back.
Jul 27, 2011
Daniel
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Hated this book with a passion. Answers the right questions with the wrong solutions. Makes church about being different and not about Jesus.
Apr 01, 2008
Kristy
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This is the first book of this kind I have read and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was refreshing to read about different perspectives on how to do church. They talk about how the era of Christendom has affected Christianity and the urgent need to change the way the church interacts (or doesn't) with the community in which it exists. They discuss exploring your context in depth, and doing church in new ways that are more culturally relevant and accessible than the typical form of g
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May 12, 2009
Ben
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This was an exciting, encouraging, frustrating and difficult book to read. It left me excited but having no real way to work out what I would like to (not the books fault). If you believe the western church as it stands is flawed and in need of re-creation to be effective at carrying out the great commission in a new world than this book can be a great place to start imagining what it could be like. If you think the church is great as it is than skip this book and save yourself the hypertension
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Feb 05, 2008
Ben
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Alan Hirsch is one of my new favorite authors and does a really nice job in challenging the church to rethink its DNA. This was an excellent book and one I would highly recommend to those who would like to see theoritically and practically what the church needs to do moving into the future. A particular favorite part of the book focused on the importance of imagination and included some cool ideas on how to stimulate your creativity. Not the major point but an interesting tag on to the main
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Jun 21, 2010
Susie
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LOVE this book. Great insights and thoughts about how being and doing church needs to change with the movement of Christianity to the margins of western society. it isn't about battling to get back from the margins, but trying to be faithful to God and reach out to serve others where we're at. I felt inspired to think about how my future ministry involvement could look differently than being working for an already existing church. Even tried to get my hubby to read it. He's read some. :)
Apr 02, 2011
Todd
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Though long winded, Frost and Hirsch display an impeccable knowledge of our society's needs from their churches. Read this book if you plan on doing ministry! It will change how you think and go about your evangelism.
Aug 03, 2008
ben
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This is an intriguing book and good to have on your shelf. It is a discussion of revamping our ecclesiology for the modern world. Nothing in here was new for me but it has been a helpful reference in dialogue with Christians around the world. It lacked clarity and was too hasty to divorce today's church from its rich, though admittedly messy, history.
Jan 28, 2012
John
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Great book on the emerging church. It is a book you must read slowly, a chapter at a time and then chew on it a while. Great discussion starter especially for those who are thinking about starting a church.
Sep 02, 2007
Tom
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Used this as required reading in my Global Perspectives class at NCU. Loved it. A nice weave of theological and practical insights on just what the church is and how we are to BE the church in the world.
Jun 14, 2008
Amy
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If you ever want to know why we don't go to church read this book. I am tired of defending our decision, mostly to Christians, this book is intelligent and will make you think.
Sep 05, 2008
Dustin
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Everyone who cares about church and how it will look for us and the next generation SHOULD read this book. I was stirred up and inspired with almost every chapter.
Sep 11, 2008
Jeremy
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A revolutionary book for the church in the next generation. As a church planter this book has shaped my approach more than any other. A must read.
Oct 21, 2010
Joel
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Great book...probably better to read The Forgotten Ways first, and then reference back to this one where needed.
Sep 24, 2008
Laura
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Great book that will change how you view church. Every church planter should read this.
Dec 29, 2010
Nathan
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Fantastic book - I couldn't agree more with the authors. Not bed-time reading though!
