:: Questions about Missions with Virginia Marion
:: Redeemer, A Mover of Movements
:: Get the RCPC Church Planter Manual
:: Got Church Planting in You? Find Out!

BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ
Required reading for the movement minded

The Present Future : Understanding Current Realities in the Church
By Reggie McNeal
Jossey-Bass 2003

Mike Slaughter, pastor and author of Unlearning Church, says of The Present Future, "This is a must read for the young entrepreneur at the beginning of ministry or the seasoned pioneer!"

In this provocative new book, author, consultant, and church leadership developer Reggie McNeal debunks old assumptions and provides an overall strategy to help church leaders move forward in an entirely different and much more effective way. McNeal identifies the six most important realities that church leaders must address including: recapturing the spirit of Christianity and replacing "church growth" with a wider vision of kingdom growth; developing disciples instead of church members; fostering the rise of a new apostolic leadership; focusing on spiritual formation rather than church programs; and shifting from prediction and planning to preparation for the challenges of an uncertain world. McNeal contends that by changing the questions church leaders ask themselves about their congregations and their plans, they can frame the core issues and approach the future with new eyes, new purpose, and new ideas.

The Emerging Church
By Dan Kimball
Zondervan 2003

Around 25 years ago the evangelical church underwent a shift with the arrival of seeker-style churches. A whole generation of baby-boomers resonated with that approach and the movement was used greatly by God. But now there are rumblings around the country that the generations of teens, twenties, and thirties have changing perceptions and preferences. Some of the very "spiritual" things that were removed from church are the very things that post-Christian generations are connecting with and finding attractive in a church.

The Emerging Church addresses this change and provides practical ideas on how churches can adjust and be more effective to reach emerging generations. Dan Kimball, founding pastor of Graceland, does not present his church as "the" new model, but offers a road map to help open the eyes of churches to some changes that are occurring in various places around the country.

Kimball explains the postmodern shifts and what practical implications that has for worship, preaching, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. He provides an encouraging cross-generational bridge between a new bread of young church leaders and those who have been in ministry for some time.