Reflection on God’s Missionary People: Rethinking the Purpose of the Local Church by Charles Van Engen

Mission/Witness

Part 1 – Local Churches: God’s Missionary People

Ch. 1 – A New Perspective of the Local Church

In this chapter, Van Engen introduces the purpose of his book. He hopes to call people to a deeper understanding of the close relationship between the concept of mission and the idea of church. He wants to focus the discussion on the missionary nature of the congregation. His thesis is that mission is the way church members live everyday life.

Ch. 2 – The Impact of Modern Ecclesiology on the Local Church

Van Engen asserts that ecclesiology has developed in such a way that the “visible,” or the natural, has become distinct from the “invisible,” or the supernatural. He claims that we must move towards a vision articulated by Bonhoeffer (and others), which holds both parts of the church’s nature together. In other words, the church must live out its missionary nature in the “here and now.” He states: “Only as we join the human and divine aspects of the Church’s nature in a unified perspective ca we possibly arrive at a true understanding of the Church’s mission.” (p 44)

Ch. 3 – The Essence of the Local Church in the Book of Ephesians

Paul’s missionary ecclesiology, which includes the church’s mission in unity and holiness to all people, is foundational.

Ch. 4 – The Essence of the Local Church in Historical Perspective

Historically, the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These four attributes are both gift and task. They are task in that: The Church is “one” in that it is a unifying force. The Church is  “holy” in that it is a sanctifying force. The Church is “catholic” in that it is a reconciling force. The Church is “apostolic” in that it is a proclaiming force. The Church is “the unifying, sanctifying, reconciling, and proclaiming activity of Jesus Christ in the world.” (p 70)

Ch. 5 – Restating the Missionary Intention of the Local Church

In addition and in relationship to the four attributes mentioned in chapter four, the following are descriptors of the missional church: The church exists for the sake of others. The Chuch identifies with the oppressed. The Church is a sending force – as Jesus sent the apostles, so the Church is sent into the world. The Church proclaims that the Kingdom is near. Finally, the Church yearns for growth in numbers, in holiness, in fellowship, and in discipleship.

Part 2 – Local Churches: A New Vision of God’s Missionary People

Ch. 6 – The Purpose of the Local Church

The missionary Church emerges when its members increasingly participate in the Church’s being-in-the-world in the following ways. The Church will love people. The Church will proclaim that Jesus is Lord and the Kingdom is near. The Church will minister to people in need. In all of this, the Church demonstrates and proclaims the Good News.

Ch. 7 – The Local Church and the Kingdom of God

Missionary congregations are local manifestations of the covenant community of the King, As such, they are ruled by the King, they are the central locus of the rule of the King, and they are an anticipatory sign of the rule of the King. Their mission is to spread the knowledge of the rule of the King. Where the Church is defined in terms of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom is also defined in terms of Church. The Church points to the rule and reign of the King over the cosmos, and is the unique instrument of the Kingdom in the world. Practically, all of this means that the Church is called to work for justice, to serve in the world, and to preach the whole Gospel of the Kingdom.

Ch. 8 – The Role of the Local Church in the World

The Church’s ministry is received from, guided by, and patterned after the ministry of Jesus. Jesus, and therefore the Church after Him, is prophet, priest, king, healer, and liberator. As prophet, the Church calls for love and justice, challenges, discomforts, and warns. As priest, the Church consoles, comforts, accepts, and forgives. In the “kingly” role, the Church wisely and effectively administers resources. As healer and liberator the Church is a conduit for physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness and freedom.

Organization/Leadership

Part 3 – Local Churches: Becoming God’s Missionary People

Ch. 9 – Missional Goals in the Local Church

As we become God’s Missionary people, we should keep certain things in mind. We should seek to bridge the gap between the natural and the supernatural, and between theory and practice. We should respond to the systems within our environment and context. We should think strategically and set priorities, goals, and plans.

Ch. 10 – Missionary Members in the Local Church

The “laity” is the “people of God.” Within the laity, there is distinction in gift, function, and ministration, but NOT in holiness, prestige, power, commitment, or activity. The people of God have undergone and are undergoing conversion – conversion to Jesus Christ, to the Church, and to God’s ministry in the world. Leaders are responsible for educating the people and equipping them for ministry outside the walls of the church building. In the biblical view of leadership, clergy are not elevated above others, and their success is based on the degree to which the people become the people of God in the world.

Ch. 11 – Missionary Leaders in the Local Church

Leaders are catalysts who the Spirit uses to mobilize the people of God for mission in the world. There are many types of leaders, and missionary leaders take the role of the servant. A missionary leader should implement a leadership style  appropriate for the context and situation.

Ch. 12 – Missional Administration in the Local Church

Dynamic administration includes understanding the context, articulating the vision, setting appropriate goals and strategies, recruiting, structuring ways train, equip, and support lay leaders, holding leaders accountable, and effective evaluation. Administration focuses the church’s ministry, seeks contextualization, helps avoid manipulation, and facilitates evaluation. Through effective administration, leaders are motivators who integrate leadership and empathy, respect and appreciation, assertiveness and caring, and expression and guidance.