Understanding Local Churches as Porous Living Systems: Insights from the Tavistock Tradition

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-197
Author(s):  
Nigel Rooms
Keyword(s):  
Open Systems ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Group Relations ◽  
Church Mission ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mechanical Objects ◽  
The Church

Systems thinking, organizational psychodynamics along with group relations and complexity / chaos theories have rarely been placed in dialogue with the dilemmas facing contemporary UK local churches and the systems that support them in the face of decline. In this article the author attempts such a project from his experience both as a consultant to, mainly Anglican Church systems through the Partnership for Missional Church process (pmc) with the Church Mission Society, and his 2017–18 training with the Tavistock Institute. Relevant parts of this ‘Tavistock’ tradition are explicated and thickened with narrative anecdote and research evidence from the pmc process. The article recommends moving from closed to open systems under conditions of porosity. Thus, treating churches less as mechanical objects to be manipulated, rather as non-linear living systems that need to be contained, discerned and disrupted. All of which allows for a fresh (but unfinished and incomplete) approach to the ecclesiology of local churches in relation to the activity of God, the missio Dei.

scholarly journals Missional church and local constraints: A Dutch perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rein Brouwer
Keyword(s):  
Missional Church ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Philosophical Interpretation ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Face ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
The Church

The missional church concept promises to guide local churches in the direction of a new identity and mission. It is a response to a sense of ecclesiological and congregational urgency that is felt all over the world. In Africa, North America and Europe, churches and local faith communities have been challenged by the changes in the religious state of affairs since the 1960s. Whether we still call it �secularisation� or rephrase it as �differentiated transformation�, the face of religion is changing globally. In many parts of the world, this raises a feeling of crisis that gives way to the redef nition of the mission and purpose of the church. �Missional church�, however, is a precarious concept. Nobody disagrees with the intention but can it be more than an inspiring vision? In order to realise this vision, a multi-layered and multi-dimensional analysis of �culture� is essential. We should move the analysis beyond the philosophical interpretation of relatively abstract and evasive macro-level processes, such as �modernity� and �post-modernity�. The future of the missional church depends on a differentiated and empirical, informed perspective on culture. For this purpose, this article proposes the concept of ecology: A system of diverse populations, including populations of congregations and faith communities, that interacts with these populations and with their specific environments. Preparing a missional congregation for the future should be accompanied with a thorough empirical investigation into the ecology of the congregation. We should be thinking intensively about and looking for vital ecologies.

scholarly journals Uncovering key biblical principle in handling disputable music matters in missio Dei perspective – a basic theoretical study

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Buys ◽  
Aaron T. Muswubi
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Study ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Liturgical Music ◽  
Worship Music ◽  
Multicultural Context ◽  
Biblical Principles ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
The Church

This article investigates key biblical principles in handling disputable music matters from Romans 14:1–15:13 and their implications for a missional church. It becomes clear that the principles uncovered in this biblical passage are synecdochically and analogically applicable to many varied disputable matters, which could confront the church anywhere at any given time. These matters include disputes on worship music and songs. The multicultural context in which the church find herself in cities, continues to pose a challenge to individual Christians and the church as a body. Hence, it exposes both Christians and the church to more and more inevitable need for clear biblical principles in handling disputable matters including liturgical music wars. The goal of this article is not only to reduce time and energy used in arguing over disputable matters, but also to turn the disagreements into redeeming encounters, which will strengthen the missional witness of the church by enriching diversity in unity.Die ontsluiting van bybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiesemusiek vanuit ’n missio Dei perspektief – ’n basiese teoriese studie. Hierdie artikel ondersoekbybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiese sang en musiek vanuit Romeine 14:1–15:13 en die implikasies daarvan vir ’n missionale kerk. Die beginsels wat vanuit hierdie Skrifgedeelte ontsluit word, kan sinvol toegepas word op ’n verskeidenheid van sake wat nie-essensieel van aard is, maar waaroor daar oral en altyd skerp standpuntverskille in kerke voorkom. Dit sluit debatte oor musiek en sang in die erediens in. Die multikulturele konteks waarin kerke hulle bevind vra na duidelike beginsels wat as uitgangspunte in debatte oor liturgiese musiek kan dien. Die doel van hierdie artikel is nie net om baie tyd en energie wat dikwels aan sulke debatte bestee word, te verminder nie, maar ook om strydvrae om te keer in positiewe opbouende en verrykende ontmoetings, en die kerk se missionale getuienis oor eenheid en verskeidenheid te versterk.

scholarly journals Die missionale kerk in informele behuisingsgemeenskappe

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Verster
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Youth Subcultures ◽  
Mission Church ◽  
The Church

The missional church in communities in informal settlements. Mission in informal settlements faces huge challenges, which include poor living conditions and structures, lack of infrastructure and medical facilities, extreme poverty, illnesses, criminality, youth subcultures, et cetera. Massive urbanisation plays an important role in this regard. From the missio Dei perspective the missional church should view the communities with a holistic approach. Missio Dei means that the living God sends his Son to the world in need so that the church, through the Holy Spirit, can become a mission church. The glory of Jesus Christ is central in the proclamation of this message and transcendence should be acknowledged in mission. The living church will emphasise and live out kerugma, diakonia, marturia, koinonia and leiturgia. Much attention will be given to Christian hope to empower communities who live under dire circumstances. Love and justice will also be emphasised. Only when the missional church becomes a true living church can the full community be served.

scholarly journals Recovering core identity, hermeneutical and contextual preaching

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Linden ◽  
Malan Nel
Keyword(s):  
Local Church ◽  
Identity Crisis ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
Remedial Action ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Identity ◽  
Missional Identity ◽  
The Church

The church has the privilege of participating with God in his saving mission in a broken and suffering world, also known as the missio Dei (Bosch 1991:8–11, 390–393). This is its core, missional identity. However, many local churches are facing an identity crisis at their very core. The reasons are numerous. This article seeks to define, in a theoretical and theological way, the core identity of the local church and in the light thereof to explore two areas: (1) how the local church and particularly its pastor view the core identity of the local church, and (2) whether the identity of the local church is affected through the ministry of preaching – preaching that takes into specific consideration the aspects of hermeneutics and context. The research indicates that while the church may have an understanding of its core identity – certainly when it answers the questions ‘who are we?’ and ‘what are we called to be and/or do’ – it lacks significantly in its missional identity. Contributing factors are mentioned and remedial action is proposed.

scholarly journals Poświęcenie Polski Sercu Pana Jezusa 11 czerwca 2021 roku – i co dalej?

Sympozjum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2 (41)) ◽  
pp. 223-239
Author(s):  
Eugeniusz Ziemann
Keyword(s):  
Local Churches ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Sacred Heart ◽  
The Face ◽  
History Of ◽  
Saint Margaret ◽  
The Church ◽  
Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Dedication of Poland to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 11th of June, 2021 and what next? Taking the inspiration from the history of the cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and especially from the private revelations of saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a number of national bishops conferences dedicated the local churches and whole nations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On 11th June, 2021 the Polish bishops conference renewed such act in the difficult situation of the church and the nation, moreover even in the face of weakening devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Every act of dedication and entitlements is a religious act, which obliges to the fulfilment of the commitments that have been taken. In this context the question arises, and what next? In the form of suggestions few concrete steps have been proposed. Czerpiąc inspirację z historii kultu Serca Jezusa, a zwłaszcza z prywatnych objawień Bożego Serca św. Małgorzacie Marii Alacoque, liczne episkopaty narodowe poświęcały Najświętszemu Sercu Pana Jezusa Kościoły lokalne i narody. 11 czerwca 2021 roku taki akt ponowili polscy biskupi w trudnej sytuacji Kościoła i narodu, a także osłabienia pobożności do Jezusowego Serca. Każdy akt poświęcenia i zawierzenia jest aktem religijnym, który zobowiązuje do realizacji podjętych wobec Boga zobowiązań. W tym kontekście pojawiło się pytanie: I co dalej? W formie sugestii zaproponowano podjęcie stosownych działań.

scholarly journals Church, mission and ethics. Being church with integrity

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
Church History ◽  
The Body ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Karl Barth ◽  
Professor Emeritus ◽  
Body Of Christ ◽  
Church Mission ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
The Church

This article is an exercise in Practical Ecclesiology. The author reflects on church, mission and ethics from historical, hermeneutical and strategic perspectives. Using the ecclesiology of Karl Barth as a point of departure, the author argues that the church needs to be church if it wants to be a credible witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Integrity is essential if a church wants to be missional. Integrity means the church has to become what it already is, the body of Christ. This contribution is dedicated to Prof Graham Duncan, professor emeritus of church history (University of Pretoria), a man of integrity and dedicated to the missional calling of the church. Keywords: Ecclesiology; First Clement; Karl Barth; Missional Church; Integrity

Mission

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Ross
Keyword(s):  
Church Growth ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
The World ◽  
World Christianity ◽  
Church Growth Movement ◽  
Growth Movement ◽  
The Church

This chapter discusses Anglican practice of and engagement in mission, concluding with some suggested future trajectories. The Five Marks of Mission are considered in some detail along with other contextual trends such as the church growth movement, mission-shaped church and Fresh Expressions of church which have been influential throughout parts of the Anglican Communion. The theology of missio Dei is discussed along with the importance of contextualization for mission. Migration and migrant churches are described as a mission issue along with their impact on the growth of local churches as well as its influence on the shape of World Christianity. The chapter concludes with reflections on the role and place of Anglicanism within the world church.

Missional Conversion and Transformation in the Context of the Korean Protestant Church

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyung Keun Choi
Keyword(s):  
Korean Church ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
People Of God ◽  
True Nature ◽  
Protestant Church ◽  
Protestant Churches ◽  
Triune God ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
The Church

The concept of the missional church has been increasingly spread among the Korean Protestant churches and especially to those who are deeply concerned about the true nature of church and mission in the midst of the critical situation faced by the Korean Church. This article articulates the doctrine of the Trinity in relation to the concept of missio Dei. In terms of dealing with conversion and transformation of the church, it explains the understanding of the church and mission of the Korean Church that tends to be inclined to reduce salvation. In this sense, the Korean Church needs radical conversion and transformation to missio Dei. This article suggests some key factors of the Korean missional church movement: authentic worship, community and discipleship. It also explores various aspects and streams of the missional church movement in the Korean Church as it participates in the life of neighbors. It suggests ways in which the Korean Church can rediscover the nature of the church through authentic conversion and transformation to become the people of God who are called and sent into the world by the triune God. 在韩国教会面临关键的形势时，宣教教会这样的概念已在基督教教会， 特别是那些关注教会及宣教真义的群体中，越来越传播开。 本文论述有关 missio Dei 的三一论。关于教会的转化这个课题，本文对韩国教会的宣教和教会的理解进行解读，韩国教会对此的理解往往减低为救恩而已，从这个层面来说，韩国教会需要对 missio Dei 有根本的转化。本文提出韩国宣教教会运动的一些主要因素：包括本真的敬拜，群体，与作门徒，并发掘宣教教会运动因参与邻舍生活而产生出的各个方面及支流，而且提出了一些建议，以致韩国教会能透过 本真的转化重新发现教会的本质， 成为真正被三一神呼召并差派的神的子民。 El concepto de una iglesia misionera se ha extendido cada vez más entre las iglesias protestantes coreanas y especialmente en aquellas profundamente preocupadas por la verdadera naturaleza de la iglesia y de la misión en medio de la situación crítica que enfrenta la iglesia coreana. Este artículo desarrolla el tema de la doctrina de la Trinidad en relación al concepto de missio Dei. Al tratar sobre la conversión y la transformación de la iglesia, el autor explica la comprensión que tiene la iglesia coreana sobre iglesia y misión que tiende a reducir el concepto de salvación. En este sentido, la iglesia coreana necesita una conversión radical y una transformación al missio Dei. Este artículo menciona algunos factores clave del movimiento de la iglesia misionera coreana: la adoración auténtica, la comunidad y el discipulado. También explora varios aspectos y corrientes del movimiento de la iglesia misional en la Iglesia coreana, al participar en la vida de sus prójimos. Sugiere maneras en las que la iglesia coreana puede redescubrir la naturaleza de la iglesia a través de una conversión auténtica y una transformación para convertirse en el pueblo de Dios que son llamados y enviados al mundo por el trino Dios. This article is in English.

Missio Dei Is Missio Trinitas: Sharing the Whole Life of God, Father, Son and Spirit

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-141
Author(s):  
Darren Cronshaw
Keyword(s):  
Missional Church ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Mission Of God ◽  
Divine Agency ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
Incarnational Mission ◽  
Character Of God ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

Abstract Missio Dei (“the mission of God”), and grounding the mission of the church in the character of God as a missionary God, is one of the most important theological (re-)discoveries of the twentieth-century. The concept is limited, however, if focused on one aspect of God as sending God, model of incarnational mission or empowerment for mission. This article argues that missio Dei is missio Trinitas (“the mission of the Trinity”). It explores the richness of missio Dei from an explicitly trinitarian perspective and its implications for local congregations, in conversation with missional church writers. The article argues that missio Trinitas places primary responsibility for mission with a Trinitarian God, invites the church to join God in the dance of (co-)mission, moves mission beyond church programs to a spirituality of mission, turns church attention to a whole gospel for the whole world, and calls all Christians into mission as communities rather than individuals. Ensuring a Trinitarian understanding of God and mission helps the church to remember the importance of divine agency, spirituality of mission, holistic mission and the mission of the whole people of God.

scholarly journals The use of the term ‘DNA’ as a missiological metaphor in contemporary Church narratives

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Local Churches ◽  
The Gift ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Large Churches ◽  
The Church

Missiologists propose that the Church and mission are inseparable as the Church has its very being because there is mission, and it is the Missio Dei which constitutes the Church. In recent history the Anglican Church has interpreted this as the essential ‘DNA’ of the local church which is to be a missional community. The church’s mission therefore is presented as the gift of participating through the Holy Spirit in the Son’s mission from the Father to the world. In other words, it is proposed that the Church is both the fruit of God’s mission and the agent of His mission. But, in order to communicate this relationship between Church and mission in a postmodern context, the use of new metaphors and new terminologies, which are derived from our contemporary context, is shaping new ways of thinking. An exploration of the development of missional churches considers the significance of developing and embedding what has become referred to as missional DNA or mDNA at every level of the organisation of the Church. This mDNA is the outward model of missional behaviour that compels the whole church to reach a lost world. It can be seen from evidence-based, case study research amongst large churches in the UK that there is consistency in the adoption and use of the term DNA by its leadership in reference to the local church’s values and its attitude towards mission. This article explores the hypothesis that the term DNA is commonly accepted amongst local churches as a contributor to a contemporary language that forms the narrative of the Church and explores its feasibility and shortcomings as an adopted missiological metaphor.

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