The Present Future

Wow. I just finished reading Reggie McNeal's The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. His differientation between club/member churches vs. missionary churches (sounds like Club Med vs. Fed Ex, right?) is insightful. Here are a few examples taken from page 132:

Prayer
Member: Praying for members, church program needs
Missionary: Praying for unchurched, outreach efforts

People
Member: Recruiting members into church activities
Missionary: Deploying into community

Time
Member: Finding time for church activities
Missionary: Creating time for mission expression

Money
Member: Raising money for club activities
Missionary: Channeling money to mission initiatives

Well, you get the point. I'm sure this won't be the last time you hear about this book! Because it's must reading for anyone serious about reaching pre-Christians in our postmodern world! It's that important!

Comments

[Chris Skinner]

The Present Future is the absolute worst book I have ever read in my life. If I was not forced to read it for seminary, I would have already burned this book a while ago. I literally have teeth marks all over this book because of the anger I have from reading this author bash every single church in North America for being a club. When did he come to visit my church? I don't remember seeing him there. And where is this "North America" he talks about? It's certainly nowhere near me. My advice for anyone considering reading this book is don't waste your time or money on it. If you want to try it, go to a library and get it for free because it is certainly not worth the price I paid for it. Ahhhh. Now I feel better

[Rich]

Hmmm... I had a completely different reaction to the book. I'm a pastor of a new church (4 years old now), and we've tried (with some limited success) the "come and see"/attractional approach to doing church. Anyway, I loved the book... and bought a copy for each of my staff members & board members. We're going to be discussing it for most of the rest of this year! :)

I don't recall him bashing "every single church in North America." Obviously, some churches are getting it right. But a whole lot (the majority?) aren't. And a whole lot are somewhere in between.

Having said that, I'll agree with Chris on one thing. It's always better to check out a book for free before deciding whether or not to buy it! :)

[Mark Bushor]

Ok, I've had several months to think about this book and the contrasts McNeal makes. So here goes again:

If the contrasts are used to engender a "we're better than they are" mentality or "they don't get it but WE do" air of spiritual (or intellectual) superiority, then this book could be used to divide instead of unit. But as far as I'm concerned, the contrasts help us see where the church is failing, and where it needs to grow.