Emerging Church Planters

What should church planters read?  Here's a list of books for church planters as recommended by Brian McLaren, Alan Creech, Alan Hirsch, Scot McKnight, David Fitch and other emerging church voices.  A number of good books on the lists.

Comments

[hashman]

I checked out the list, no Piper?

[Guy Muse]

Thanks for the good list. I hope to pass it on to the church planting forum that we have as missionaries.

[Michael Foster]

I find it interesting that the oldest book I saw on the list was published in 1994 (The Politics of Jesus) and the majority of the others are not yet five years old. Perhaps this is an example of how too many of the young emerging types are disconnected from the traditional great Christian works and the theology we find within them. I have benefit from reading many of the books listed so don't think I'm being a prude. I'm just making a "perhaps" statement.

[zane anderson]

To hashman, above: I wouldn't expect to see Piper in this list, though of course, he would encourage church planting.

Piper's view of the EC is here if you have just a few minutes to listen to it: http://www.desiringgod.org/media/mp3/conferences/national2006/20060721_piper_qa.mp3

Blessings to all.

[Van S]

Why would Piper be an authority on good books for church planting?

Mr. Foster--church planting is a contextual practice. You wouldn't want church planters to read an older book for all the reasons you wouldn't want a missionary to the Ukraine to read a book about Ukrainian culture written during the Cold War.

[stepchild]

Andrew Jones included Garrison's Church Planting Movements? For some reason, I find that funny.

[Michael Foster]

Van S.

Context is but one variable in church planting. Too emphasis one variable above others is to be imbalanced and ultimately ineffective. I wouldn't want my Ukrainian brothers to read books that would make them imbalanced! ;)

[Michael Foster]

Just to clarify, there are some variables that are more important than others but we shouldn't make church planting primarily just about context ( I don't think that is what Van S. saying but this is why I pointed out the issue in my first comment).

[ScottB]

Actually, there are a number of older items on the list - Yoder's book was originally published, I believe, in 1972 (the 1994 edition was revised). Merton is also noted several times; his writings are all earlier in the 20th century. Additionally, there are several folks noting works such as the collected editions of the church fathers, so I don't think it's quite so bad as it may seem. I do think folks would do well to wrestle with stuff like the Didache - that in particular should absolutely make the list, I think.

[stepchild]

Michael Foster,
While I agree that church planting is not only about context, I am convinced that contextualization is the one area we overlook the most. Many (most?) church planting books focus on the general how-to element of things like "mentoring" and "gathering groups" and "shadow-pastoring."

I'd love to see a book that talks about really immersing yourself in the culture, and exposing yourself to those things that influence it.

Of course, many church planting books also ignore the theology/ecclesiology behind church planting, too...

[Michael Foster]

ScottB.

You are correct that there some older books that I overlooked (I'm glad to see them there). However, the bulk of them remain under five years old.

Stepchild,

I agree with your assessment of most church planting books. As for context being the area most commonly overlooked, I suppose that depends on what circles you run in.

[jazztheologian]

When I planted 7 years ago I read a lot of books and by far the ones that I still read today because of how they have shaped my ministry are: Exodus, Nehemiah and Acts.

I've just discovered your blog and am enjoying your archives. I look forward to further interaction.

jt

[Jordon Cooper]

When I put together the list I only asked for five books so not everything is going to be included. Also the assumption is that as a church planter, you would have had some theoligical education which may have explained some of the ommissions of older theological books that one would have discovered in a Bible College or seminary. Thanks for posting the link and your comments.

[Michael]

The Emergent Church is heretical. You can have it, but I want none, thanks.

[Steve McCoy]

Michael,

1. What is the "Emergent Church?"
2. Is that different than the "emerging church?"
3. How is it (whatever "it" is, according to you) heretical?
4. Were there heretical books on these book lists, since that is what my post is about?

Thanks.

[stepchild]

Michael,
Why did you post that comment? I'm really curious. Hopefully, you'll answer Steve's questions so I can get an idea of what you were thinking...