Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post–Congregational Church

Praise for Missional Communities "Once again, Reggie McNeal proclaims what too few have intuited: that God′s Spirit is blowing in a new direction like a hurricane headwind. Thank God, we have Reggie to show us how the church can once more ′mount up with wings as eagles.′" —Charles Anderson, directing pastor, University United Methodist Church, San Antonio, Texas "Every uncharted territory requires a guide who has seen the other side of the mountain. In Missional Communities Reggie serves as that guide who introduces you to the people, practices, and scorecard of this fresh growth plate of the kingdom." —Eric Swanson, coauthor, The Externally Focused Quest and To Transform a City "Reggie is an iconoclast. His ideas and vision break open our sense of what it means to ′be′ and ′do′ church. If you love God and believe in the future of the church you will read this book." —Rev. Chip Edens, rector, Christ Church, Charlotte, North Carolina "Reggie McNeal has given voice to those of us who dream of a church that is not just a conspiracy of strangers but a redemptive community on mission for God. For those who dare to make the journey this book provides some invaluable navigational charts for how to get there." —Gary Brandenburg, lead pastor, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, Texas "Classic Reggie McNeal! An in–your–face prophetic wake–up call that congregational ministry business as usual is not going to get the job done. But he gives us hope that we can make the change as he reports on how post–congregational ministry is being effective."—Buford Lipscomb, senior pastor, Liberty Church, Pensacola, Florida "Our staff team has been deeply impacted by the challenges and thinking of Reggie McNeal. He has served us by helping us think beyond ourselves, reminding us that true community results in mission, and continually bringing us back to the glorious mission of Jesus."—Eric Geiger, Christ Fellowship, Miami, Florida

About the Jossey–Bass Leadership Network Series xi Foreword by Hugh Halter xiii Acknowledgments xvii Introduction xix 1 ‘‘Let There Be . . . Missional Communities’’ 1 2 The Missional Church Conversation 15 3 Missional Communities—European Style 39 4 Soma Communities: Missional Communities as Organizing Architecture 65 5 Campus Renewal UT: Missional Communities as Campus Evangelism Strategy 85 6 Future Travelers: Missional Communities as Megachurch Strategy 103 7 Mission Houston: Missional Communities for Spiritual Formation and Community Transformation 125 8 Looking Ahead 145 About the Author 155 Index 157

Reggie McNeal is the missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network. Drawing on twenty years of leadership roles in local congregations and his work over the last two decades with thousands of clergy and church leaders, McNeal counsels local churches, denominational groups, seminaries and colleges, and parachurch organizations in their leadership development needs. Leadership Network, a division of OneHundredX, seeks to accelerate the impact of 100X leaders. Since 1996, Leadership Network Publications has presented thoroughly researched and practical concepts from leading thinkers, practitioners, and pioneering churches. www.leadnet.org