Becoming a Missionary Church: Lesslie Newbigin and Contemporary Church Movements - Paperback

by Michael W. Goheen (Author), Timothy M. Sheridan (Author)

2023 Word Guild Award of Merit (Academic)

This book offers a historical assessment and balanced critique of contemporary church movements, especially in light of missional ecclesiology. An expert on Lesslie Newbigin and an expert on contemporary church models show how Newbigin's ideas have been developed and contextualized in three popular contemporary church movements: missional, emergent, and center church. In addition, the authors explain that some of Newbigin's insights have been neglected and need to be retrieved for the present day. This book calls for the recovery of the missionary nature of the church and commends church practices applicable to any congregation.

Back Jacket

"A fresh look at Newbigin's wisdom for the Western church"

Becoming a Missionary Church offers a historical assessment and balanced critique of contemporary church movements--missional, emergent, and center church--especially in light of Lesslie Newbigin's missional ecclesiology.

"The authors' exposition and application of the missionary life and theology of Newbigin is a master class of clarity and illumination, repeatedly offering eye-opening insights as to how we have come to be where we are in the Western world (and wherever the toxins of Western idolatries have penetrated). Any church that is praying for a fruitful missionary encounter with their surrounding culture will find here a rich resource of biblically rooted priorities, characteristics, and practices."
--Christopher J. H. Wright, Langham Partnership; author of The Mission of God

"Becoming a Missionary Church persuasively articulates an invigorating Newbigin-inspired vision for renewing the culturally captive North American church that is more compelling than contemporary alternatives. Both my understanding of what is necessary for renewing the church and my passion for deeper engagement in that task have grown because of this book."
--Amy L. Sherman, author of Kingdom Calling and Agents of Flourishing

"This book is overflowing with rich insights regarding the missionary nature of the church. Goheen and Sheridan engage in conversation with past developments in missionary ecclesiology as well as recent trends like the missional church movement, the emergent church conversation, and Tim Keller's center church. In each case, the authors allow Newbigin's seminal vision of the church in mission to provide a welcome and needed corrective."
--Dean Flemming, MidAmerica Nazarene University; author of Contextualization in the New Testament

"A fresh look at Newbigin's wisdom for the Western church. This book is for all who take seriously God's mission and the call to be a missionary church."
--Jim Mullins, lead pastor, Redemption Church Tempe

"The nuanced missiological reflection in this book is a priceless gift to readers. I was inspired to continue leading churches into God's mission while trusting the results to him."
--Jonathan Dodson, founding pastor, City Life Church; author of The Unbelievable Gospel

Author Biography

Michael W. Goheen (PhD, University of Utrecht) is director of theological education at the Missional Training Center, scholar-in-residence, Surge Network of Churches-Phoenix, and professor of missional theology at Covenant Theological Seminary. Goheen is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including The Drama of Scripture, Living at the Crossroads, A Light to the Nations, and The Church and Its Vocation. He splits his time between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Timothy M. Sheridan (PhD, Stellenbosch University) is church-planting leader for Resonate Global Mission and professor of congregational theology at the Missional Training Center, Phoenix. He has served in pastoral ministry for over twenty years in both the United States and Canada. He lives in Maple Ridge, outside of Vancouver, British Columbia.