Transforming Church

The Present Future

The Present Future by Reggie McNeal is one of the most thought provoking and ministry stimulating books I have read in the past year. Subtitled "Six Tough Questions for the Church", McNeal paints a vivid picture of the need for and emergence of missional congregations and apostolic leaders for the 21st Century. His critique of the decline and baggage of the modern church his right on target and is very useful to pastors and leaders who are struggling with the idea of just doing the same thing better and harder will create a better ministry outcome.

The book is outlined in the form of six new realities and then draws out the questions for leadership from each.

One - The Collapse of the Church Culture
Two - The Shift from Church Growth to Kingdom Growth
Three - A New Reformation: Releasing God's People
Four - The Return to Spiritual Formation
Five - The Shift from Planning To Preparation
Six - The Rise of Apostolic Leadership

A fairly short book aimed at pastors and lay leaders, this would be a perfect small group spark plug in a staff small group or other venues of leadership development. Frankly, it should be required reading for any seminarian to show them where their current education model will fail them.

There is a great deal of inspirational and affirmational material here and come helpful "how to" suggestions, particularly in the Apostolic Leadership section. His recommendation that leaders become part of an intentional learning community and find their own mentor/coach affirms much of what is happening in the larger church (at least among those of us who like to color outside the lines), like here at Transforming Church and other digital communities and resources.

Put this book on your summer reading list for a quick but very powerful read.