I was able to get my hands on a free copy of The Tangible Kingdom last week, which thrilled me because I was going to buy it anyway. It’s the newest book from The Leadership Network, and so far, I haven’t read a book from them that I don’t like. The Tangible Kingdom was no exception, and it is going on my “Missional Must-Read” Book list.
This book really hit me hard, partly because the story of Hugh Halter (one of the authors) mirrors so closely my own story. He was well situated in the established church, but didn’t feel quite at peace with himself, or with God, in such a position. So he left it all behind to see if he could find (or create) something that was still true to Scripture, but was also more effective in engaging and redeeming our culture. Doing so created lots of tension. Here is what he wrote, which is exactly what I am feeling:
You can’t go back, but forward doesn’t feel much better, because forward may not pay the bills or make it any easier to live the Christian life you’ve always wanted to live (p. 18).
He made it through this time of uncertainty (so there’s hope for me!) and ended up in Denver planting a community of faith called Adullam with some friends. As people wanted to learn more about what they were doing and why, they also developed a Web-based practicum for pastors and church planters to help them innovate new ways of effectively being the church.
What I found most refreshing about the book is that the authors are not trying to criticize, judge, or condemn the way the typical church functions today. Instead, they just explained what they are doing and why, and how it is effectively bringing people into the Kingdom of God. His bottom line premise is that the church is supposed to be living out the Kingdom of God in our communities and with our friends. As we do this, the aroma of the Gospel simply attracts people to us. They put it this way:
Church should be what ends up happening as a natural response to people wanting to follow us, be with us, and be like us as we are following the way of Christ (p. 30).
Do you find that other people are strangely attracted to you, your life, your family, and the way you “do church”? If not, it may help to read this The Tangible Kingdom.
Jim,
I recommend you at least check them out. If you visit twice, they will probably take you out for the “coffee talk” and lay things on the line about what to expect and not expect from the church.
Just so you know, they will be in the “emerging” stream of Christianity, so they will challenge and encourage you to live like Jesus by loving and serving others in your community. If that is what you are looking for, it may be a good fit. If you want a church that is fully in line with dispensational, Free Grace theology, you will probably be disappointed.
When you go, make sure that when you get there, you grab some food and some coffee and be proactive about going up and meeting people and talking with them. Don’t just go find a seat! They consider the pre-service fellowship as an integral part of their “Sunday worship.”
If you go, say hello to Matt Smay and Hugh Halter (the authors of the book). I have been exchanging e-mails and phone calls with them, and think highly of both.
If you go, please send me an e-mail about what you thought! Thanks!
Jeremy,
Wow! Its in Denver (we Google mapped it) and its not that far, what do you think? The better half and I have been searching for an “different” community of believers. Its not that we don’t love our current church, but there is not a lot of relational connection due to the elders not leading the small group efforts. A friend has been to the “Scum of the Earth Church” and recommended we go there. So we may do both this month.
I’ll shoot another note after we go…
Grace and peace brother,
Jim
Several months back, we noticed on your blog that you wrote about The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay. Thanks for taking the time to do that.
One of the questions Matt and Hugh often received following the launch of that book was “Loved the book, but how do I get my community to do that?” The newly launched The Tangible Kingdom Primer is our effort to help small groups and churches do just that. It is an 8-week guide to creating missional and incarnational communities.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the Primer, please contact us at: books{AT} crmleaders.org. Please provide your name, the street mailing address you would like it delivered to (no P.O. Box please) and your email address. In the subject line, put Tangible Kingdom Primer Blog Copy.