“15 tectonic shifts that transform churches, communities, and the world” reads the subtitle of this book that gives insight into modern-day church planting and missions. The authors both serve at the Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana and write about what they are part of in this volume published by Zondervan.
Missional Moves are the changes people, churches, and community make to work together. Many of the things described in this book are how these three can work together with the church being the center of it all. The book gets really heavy in later chapters on details of one church’s methods of carrying this out, but it is good to know. As a pastor of a more traditional church, I enjoyed getting insight into a large ministry. Not that I could feel comfortable with everything they did, I could weigh things item by item. Some ideas are worthwhile to any of us.
Part 1 (Paradigm Shift) is by far the best part of the book in that it gives us the big picture issues involved. I felt I saw the best what they were saying in chapter one on “from saved souls to saved wholes.” Their description of our taking a minimalist approach to the Gospel by often reducing our presentation to accepting Jesus so we can avoid Hell. We so little talk about all the Lord can do in lives. That was an eye-opening discussion.
My only criticism of the book is that at times it seemed to criticize traditional missions and missionaries. While our just sending money might not make us as personally attached to missions as we should be, we cannot discount the tremendous sacrifice and work many missionaries have done. I think it doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. Still, their methods have potential worthy of consideration.
The authors have the task of balancing this new missional approach with the attractional method used for so long. As a traditional pastor, I don’t have that problem, but I am glad to better understand what is going on today and learn what I can from it. So, I recommend this book.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .
The Reagan Review 
Pingback: Missional Moves Blog Tour | Cross Focused Reviews
Jimmy,
Thanks for being a part of the Missional Moves blog tour.
Shaun Tabatt
Cross Focused Reviews
Your are welcome!
Thanks for reviewing this book. I’m glad the “paradigm shift” part was helpful. How do you think this book will affect your ministry?
Blessings,
AR
Thanks for the encouraging review of Missional Moves! We hope it fuels the fire for God’s mission in and through you. Thanks again!
You are welcome Mr. Wegner!
Jimmy! Thanks so much for taking a look at Missional Moves! It is always such a joy for Rob and I to see others entering and engaging the discussion from across so many different perspectives as we truly value the diversity of the Body and believe that “intended diversity + intended unity = maximum Glory”. Thank you for your thoughtful insight in what is most helpful in the book as well as your balanced perspective and feedback on what you thought may have been amiss. So grateful!
By the way, like you, we really do find tremendous value in the efforts of long term career missionaries throughout the years and even now, and admit happily that “where we are” as a Body is largely thanks to being able to stand on their shoulders through their years of sacrifice and service. There are still places where “sent ones” need to go from afar, but we wanted to make sure that such are viewed as part of the Kingdom arsenal for the accomplishment of the Great Commission and not an excuse for the rest of us to abdicate our responsibility to be fully engaged. If that did not come across in our pages, then we are grateful for the sharpening from your feedback and perspective.
Blessings to you, my friend! Thank you again for taking the time to read, review and respond. Merry Christmas!
All for One!
-jack magruder