The first comprehensive textbook on the theology and methodology of Fresh Expressions, one of the most important developments within the contemporary church.

Michael Moynagh

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Four tributaries

Definition

Scope of the book

Questions for discussion

Saint Paul’s New Contextual Churches

From mission as 'come' to mission as 'go'

Sustaining the 'mixed economy'

Paul's use of teams

Paul's methods

Culture-specific churches?

Sustainable leadership

Conclusion

Contextual Churches in History

Real presence in Antioch

The word of life from the north to the south of England

Benedict's guidance of souls

The Beguines on the edge

Nicholas Ferrar's holy calling

John Wesley's mirror of God

Charles Kingsley's life in the kingdom

Dorothy L. Sayers's pub audience

Fresh Expressions of Church in Britain

Complexity theory

Disequilibrium

Amplification

Recombination/self-organization

Stabilization

Sociological Perspectives

An ecclesial turn

An ethical turn

An economic and social turn

What is the Purpose and Nature of the Church?

What is the purpose of the church?

The essence of church

Mature church

Should Mission be a First Step for the Church?

The mission of God

What is the place of mission?

What is the nature of mission?

What is the goal of mission?

How does the church share in God's mission?

Mission by Individuals or Communities?

Stanley Hauerwas and Lesslie Newbigin

Community-in-mission

Communal mission in the local church

Some challenges

Why Church with Many Shapes?

Three arguments for contextualization

What are the limits to contextualization?

Approaching contextualization contextually

Are Culture-specific Churches Legitimate?

Three views

Focused-and-connected church

Are New Contextual Churches Faithful to the Tradition?

Identifying with the context

Serving a culture

Dying for a culture

The departure of Jesus

Christ will fill all cultures

How Do Contextual Churches Emerge?

Birthing churches as a church practice

Journeys to church

A rationale

Gathering a Mission Community

Fresh Expressions of Church are one of the most important developments within the contemporary church. There has been - and continues to be - much learning about how to plant Fresh Expressions of church in contemporary culture and about theological resources to support this. Church for Every Context is the first textbook that reflects this learning. Church for Every Context addresses the theology and methodology of Fresh Expressions/church planting. Topics include ecclesiology, Fresh Expressions in the New Testament, social forces behind Fresh Expressions today, theologies to underpin fresh expressions, how fresh expressions develop, the missional dynamics involved, discipleship, worship and how Fresh Expressions can be sustained and supported.

'This is a brilliant work, and as invaluable as it is brilliant. A logical and mature continuation of the seminal Mission-Shaped Church report of 2004, Church for Every Context is the most insightful, informing, and instructive study I have seen to date on emergence ecclesiology and contextual church. It is, in sum, absolutely exhilarating both in its balanced, analytical content and in its vision for the future of the Church.' Phyllis Tickle, author, The Great Emergence Michael Moynagh offers both an analysis and an apology for new forms of church that is well grounded in the cultural realities of the 21st century, arguing that these emerging ecclesial communities are not only faithful to scripture and tradition, but are also characterized by a theologically grounded cultural engagement. Supported by comprehensive references and suggestions for further reflection, this book will inspire and inform newcomers to the conversation as well as those who are already a part of it. -- John Drane Michael Moynagh has produced a remarkable book that looks set to become a standard text on the fresh expressions and emerging churches that are exploring new ways of engaging contextually with a changing culture. Comprehensive in its coverage, inter-disciplinary in its approach, painstakingly researched and clearly argued, practitioners and researchers alike will find this invaluable. -- Stuart Murray Williams Church for Every Context is a big book in every sense: the fruit of mature reflection and wisdom on major new movements in Church and in God's mission. It has a global and a biblical perspective on these movements. The chapters are well rooted historically and full of stories and examples of good practice. I commend it very warmly indeed to beginners in this field and to those who are experts. -- Steven Croft Mike Moynagh has rendered a service to us all. He covers so much that is at the heart of our debates about the Church, her nature, ministry and mission. We can all agree with the aims he sets out: discipleship, worship and community in sustainable churches. If the way to get there as the Church of England is disputed, then this book demonstrates that a theological discussion is well and truly under way. -- Andrew Davison

'This is a brilliant work, and as invaluable as it is brilliant. A logical and mature continuation of the seminal Mission-Shaped Church report of 2004, Church for Every Context is the most insightful, informing, and instructive study I have seen to date on emergence ecclesiology and contextual church. It is, in sum, absolutely exhilarating both in its balanced, analytical content and in its vision for the future of the Church.' Phyllis Tickle, author, The Great Emergence Michael Moynagh offers both an analysis and an apology for new forms of church that is well grounded in the cultural realities of the 21st century, arguing that these emerging ecclesial communities are not only faithful to scripture and tradition, but are also characterized by a theologically grounded cultural engagement. Supported by comprehensive references and suggestions for further reflection, this book will inspire and inform newcomers to the conversation as well as those who are already a part of it. -- John Drane Michael Moynagh has produced a remarkable book that looks set to become a standard text on the fresh expressions and emerging churches that are exploring new ways of engaging contextually with a changing culture. Comprehensive in its coverage, inter-disciplinary in its approach, painstakingly researched and clearly argued, practitioners and researchers alike will find this invaluable. -- Stuart Murray Williams Church for Every Context is a big book in every sense: the fruit of mature reflection and wisdom on major new movements in Church and in God's mission. It has a global and a biblical perspective on these movements. The chapters are well rooted historically and full of stories and examples of good practice. I commend it very warmly indeed to beginners in this field and to those who are experts. -- Steven Croft Mike Moynagh has rendered a service to us all. He covers so much that is at the heart of our debates about the Church, her nature, ministry and mission. We can all agree with the aims he sets out: discipleship, worship and community in sustainable churches. If the way to get there as the Church of England is disputed, then this book demonstrates that a theological discussion is well and truly under way. -- Andrew Davison "Michael Moynagh is an experienced watcher of both church and culture, and this well-read, learned and thoughtful book provides an invaluable and comprehensive guide to contemporary debates over new forms of church." -- Graham Tomlin There is no such thing as theology, and that means that there is no such thing as ecclesiology. There is only contextual theology and contextual understandings and practices of church. This is the powerful insight behind what Michael Moynagh calls the "New Contextual Churches." A Church for All Contexts is a book that shows the significance of churches that seek to incarnate "fresh expressions" of Christian community as community in mission. Moynaugh and Harrold show clearly that these new ways of thinking about and doing church are not so much innovations but movements radically faithful to Christian Tradition, most especially because they are radically faithful to the present always-changing context of faithful discipleship of Jesus Christ. This is an exciting book. Its rootedness in Tradition make it revolutionary. If you want to be a member of the church today, this book should be required reading. -- Stephen Bevans Michael Moynagh has provided an excellent understanding of the background of and rationale behind the Fresh Expressions movement, highlighting many of the issues the existing church is facing in relating to a rapidly changing culture. While highly prizing the value of the traditional forms of church, he wrestles with the extent of flexibility that out to be accorded new forms of the church, while not compromising the gospel. -- Al Barth Moynagh has written an indispensable book on contextual church planting and renewal. We have needed a book like this for some time now -- a historical, theological, and sociological guide to new expressions of faith within Western culture. This is not a 'how-to' book on church renewal and planting techniques -- anything but. Moynagh does so much more than play with church forms and encourage consumer analysis. Moynagh's approach to new expressions of church is theologically rich and missiologically astute, revealing a systematic way to think about church in a post-Christendom context. I plan to use this book as a core reference text in my seminary church planting course this Fall. Highly recommended. -- Dr. Ryan K. Bolger, PhD Fuller Theological Seminary

Michael Moynagh is a member of the Fresh Expressions Team with responsibility for drawing together learning about the theology and practice of new forms of church. He written or been lead author of more than ten books, including Changing World, Changing Church and Emerging Church.intro. Philip Harrold is Associate Professor of Church History at the Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.

Fresh Expressions of Church are one of the most important developments within the contemporary church. There has been – and continues to be – much learning about how to plant Fresh Expressions of church in contemporary culture and about theological resources to support this. Church for Every Context is the first textbook that reflects this learning. Church for Every Context addresses the theology and methodology of Fresh Expressions/church planting. Topics include ecclesiology, Fresh Expressions in the New Testament, social forces behind Fresh Expressions today, theologies to underpin fresh expressions, how fresh expressions develop, the missional dynamics involved, discipleship, worship and how Fresh Expressions can be sustained and supported.

'This is a brilliant work, and as invaluable as it is brilliant. A logical and mature continuation of the seminal Mission-Shaped Church report of 2004, Church for Every Context is the most insightful, informing, and instructive study I have seen to date on emergence ecclesiology and contextual church. It is, in sum, absolutely exhilarating both in its balanced, analytical content and in its vision for the future of the Church.' Phyllis Tickle, author, The Great Emergence

Michael Moynagh offers both an analysis and an apology for new forms of church that is well grounded in the cultural realities of the 21st century, arguing that these emerging ecclesial communities are not only faithful to scripture and tradition, but are also characterized by a theologically grounded cultural engagement. Supported by comprehensive references and suggestions for further reflection, this book will inspire and inform newcomers to the conversation as well as those who are already a part of it.

Michael Moynagh has produced a remarkable book that looks set to become a standard text on the fresh expressions and emerging churches that are exploring new ways of engaging contextually with a changing culture. Comprehensive in its coverage, inter-disciplinary in its approach, painstakingly researched and clearly argued, practitioners and researchers alike will find this invaluable.

Church for Every Context is a big book in every sense: the fruit of mature reflection and wisdom on major new movements in Church and in God's mission. It has a global and a biblical perspective on these movements. The chapters are well rooted historically and full of stories and examples of good practice. I commend it very warmly indeed to beginners in this field and to those who are experts.

Mike Moynagh has rendered a service to us all. He covers so much that is at the heart of our debates about the Church, her nature, ministry and mission. We can all agree with the aims he sets out: discipleship, worship and community in sustainable churches. If the way to get there as the Church of England is disputed, then this book demonstrates that a theological discussion is well and truly under way.

"Michael Moynagh is an experienced watcher of both church and culture, and this well-read, learned and thoughtful book provides an invaluable and comprehensive guide to contemporary debates over new forms of church."

There is no such thing as theology, and that means that there is no such thing as ecclesiology. There is only contextual theology and contextual understandings and practices of church. This is the powerful insight behind what Michael Moynagh calls the "New Contextual Churches." A Church for All Contexts is a book that shows the significance of churches that seek to incarnate "fresh expressions" of Christian community as community in mission. Moynaugh and Harrold show clearly that these new ways of thinking about and doing church are not so much innovations but movements radically faithful to Christian Tradition, most especially because they are radically faithful to the present always-changing context of faithful discipleship of Jesus Christ. This is an exciting book. Its rootedness in Tradition make it revolutionary. If you want to be a member of the church today, this book should be required reading.

Michael Moynagh has provided an excellent understanding of the background of and rationale behind the Fresh Expressions movement, highlighting many of the issues the existing church is facing in relating to a rapidly changing culture. While highly prizing the value of the traditional forms of church, he wrestles with the extent of flexibility that out to be accorded new forms of the church, while not compromising the gospel.

Moynagh has written an indispensable book on contextual church planting and renewal. We have needed a book like this for some time now -- a historical, theological, and sociological guide to new expressions of faith within Western culture. This is not a 'how-to' book on church renewal and planting techniques -- anything but. Moynagh does so much more than play with church forms and encourage consumer analysis. Moynagh's approach to new expressions of church is theologically rich and missiologically astute, revealing a systematic way to think about church in a post-Christendom context. I plan to use this book as a core reference text in my seminary church planting course this Fall. Highly recommended.

The book is full of many concrete examples and is wonderfully comprehensive in scope. Each chapter contains multiple "For reflection" sections, which extend critical points into critical application. Also, each chapter ends with readings for further study and a set of discussion questions. This text will broaden every reader's comprehension of new contextual churches and will challenge all to think deeply about mission, context, and church. Without a doubt, this will become the standard text for study of new contextual ecclesiology.

\["For church leaders seeking innovative practices today", "Provides guidance for planting Fresh Expressions effectively", "You will learn to engage your community with fresh faith"\]

This insightful book explores Fresh Expressions of Church for modern believers.

The Good Book Stall

This book is extremely thorough – it has 490pp. It contains much useful information, particularly on the theological underpinnings of the pioneer church movement. It is however much longer than it needs to be – a whole chapter is devoted, for example, to saying in complex vocabulary that pioneer ministers need to be good at getting on with people. It is also weak on actual practice, particularly in section three, which is devoted to ‘a series of hypotheses that combine theory and experience-based wisdom’ – the authors tend to slither into clauses beginning ‘perhaps’, and painting vague pictures of what might be, with no clear indication of how one thing (e.g. outreach to mothers and toddlers) might ‘perhaps’ morph into another (e.g. a more recognisable form of church). If you are a pioneer minister it’s probably a handbook you must read – but for the ordinary reader a short theological introduction followed by specific examples of actual pioneer situations, successful or not, and some analysis of the key features, might be more helpful.  
To be specific, it is in 4 parts: Past and Present; Towards a Theological Rationale; Bringing Contextual Churches to Birth; and Growing to Maturity. The first provides a helpful overview of contextual churches in scripture and history, and offers some sociological perspectives. The second considers the theological underpinning of the Fresh Expressions movement. The third is the vaguest and the most full of technical vocabulary. The fourth looks at the key elements of discipleship, worship, community and sustainability. It’s well researched, but perhaps lacks its own voice.

Church for Every Context

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Church for Every Context

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The first comprehensive textbook on the theology and methodology of Fresh Expressions, one of the most important developments within the contemporary church.

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