Looks Interesting

[Johnnz]

Has anyone read this book of any other by its author? This review interested me.

Renegotiating the Church Contract: The Death and Life of the 21st Century Church by James Thwaites


[FONT=&quot]Church systems work against the purpose of church when people get so busy with buildings, programmes and meetings. Building on his previous book The Church Beyond the Congregation (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1999), Thwaites says we need a new church contract that empowers people (and give them permission) to impact every sphere of creation. Prone to over exaggerate to make his point, it is still worth hearing his prophetic warning that too many `church activities' can drain God's people of their ability of be effective witnesses. He urges churches to be prepared to leave behind their ecclesiastical merry-go-round and embrace incarnational living. This refocusing will necessarily mean removing the normal centre of church life, spending more time outside the church walls, and being content with fewer church programmes and departmental structures. Thwaites has led a church through this sort of process and shares the grief and freedom involved[/FONT]

John
NZ

 

[dayhiker]

John, I've not read either of his books. Does sound like it would be an interesting read.

I have done this some what over the last few years. But I don't think I've become more evangelical in the process. So I'm only half way to where that book says we should go I'm guessing.

 

[1watchman]

I surely don't think the answer is in "a new church contract", as that writer said, but in simply following the Word of God (mainly Acts and the Epistles) to see what God has given for His church. Men have continued down through the years to invent new church groups (and new ones are being formed every year). Satan is having a great time deceiving many souls.

The essence of the New Testament church is redemption way, church truth, and spiritual life as defined and shown in the Word of God. We will all be held accountable for corrupting the Word and following the deceivers (see what happened to Adam and Eve).

- 1 Watchman