Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional FaithfulnessIf you saw a missional church, what would it look like? What patterns of behavior and practice would you find there? Building on the ground laid by the book Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America (Darrell Guder et al. 1998), Treasure in Clay Jars centers on case studies of nine missional congregations from across North America that are diverse in their denominational affiliations, worship styles, political stances, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The book explores eight concrete "patterns" common to these churches. Although the patterns may be different in each setting, they can be recognized in any congregation seeking to participate in God's mission in the world. The team that authored this book believes that "missional" says something not so much about the activities of the church as its character: "The church does not exist for itself, but for participation in God's mission of reconciliation. . . . Mission is the character of the church in whatever context it exists." The congregations studied here are "clay jars," but each carries in its witness a remarkable treasure that points to God's power and purposes. Authors: Lois Y. Barrett Darrell L. Guder Walter C. Hobbs George R. Hunsberger Linford L. Stutzman Jeff Van Kooten Dale A. Ziemer |
Contents
Discerning Missional Vocation | 33 |
Biblical Formation and Discipleship | 59 |
Taking Risks as a Contrast Community | 74 |
Practices That Demonstrate Gods Intent for the World | 84 |
The Public Witness of Worship | 100 |
Dependence on the Holy Spirit | 117 |
Pointing Toward the Reign of God | 126 |
Missional Authority | 139 |
Embodying and Proclaiming the Gospel | 149 |
Method | 154 |
Common terms and phrases
activities become Bellevue Bible Bible study biblical formation Boulder Church Boulder Mennonite Church challenge charism Charles de Foucauld Christian community churches we visited clay jars commitment congregation congregation's context discern disciples discipleship dominant culture Eastbrook Eastbrook Church Eucharist faith Father Bryan focus fraternities gifts God's reign gregation Holy Ghost Church Holy Ghost Full Holy Spirit immigrants intentional involved Jesus Christ kingdom leaders leadership learning listening lives meeting ministry Mission Covenant Group missional character missional church missional congregation missional transformation missional vocation missionary move neighborhood nity participate pastor Pattern persons poor practices pray prayer present proclaims the gospel programs public witness reconciliation Reformed Church reign of God relationships Rockridge Scripture seeking sense shape shared sion social Spring Garden Church story struggle Sunday tion Toronto Blessing tradition Transfiguration Parish United Methodist Church vision West Yellowstone Willowdale word worship
Popular passages
Page xiii - In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.... We are
Page xiii - Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face ofJesus Christ.
Page xiv - For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:17-18)