Towards a Missional Ecclesiology 

Authors

  • Michael James Breen Trinity International University

Keywords:

Discipleship, Mission, Ecclesiology, Oikos, Missional Communities, Person of Peace

Abstract

In the midst of significant social and institutional challenges, first in Brixton (London, England) and then in Sheffield  (England), the churches that I led not only grew numerically but also began to develop missional models of ecclesia now used in many parts of the world. 

In this missional contexts we first experimented with the extended family models of ecclesia, which we believed most closely reflected the New Testament oikos, and developed what are now called Missional Communities. And here; based upon on the impact of local social crises and my reflections on the pre-passion mission narratives of the first the disciples (Matthew 10, Mark 6, Luke 9 & 10), that I first discovered, taught and published 'The Person of Peace' strategy (Breen 1991).

Attending to this missional ecclesiology and praxis in Sheffield I saw what has been termed a ‘Minster Church’ – combining both 'Roman' and 'Celtic' forms of mission (Finney 1996) – develop, and an entire congregation released in mission across the city of Sheffield.  Since then St. Thomas has became a model of the Missional Church Movement and a global center of training and vision for mission and discipleship.

In this paper I tentatively advance, taking into account the social and philosophical milieu of the community in question, a theological reflection on the strategies developed in this test case and offer suggestions for further research in the field.

 

Author Biography

Michael James Breen, Trinity International University

Mike Breen and his wife, Sally, co-founded 3D Movements, which has now spread to five continents, training thousands of leaders and churches in how to move to a discipling culture and missional mindset. In addition to his calling as a church planter and pastor, Mike has authored more than 20 books; speaks frequently in the United States, Europe and Australasia; and is currently working on his PhD in Intercultural Studies at Trinity International University in Chicago.

References

Bosch, D. (1991). Transforming Mission: paradigm shifts in theology and mission. Durban: Orbis.

Breen, M. (1991 (and2015)). Growing the Smaller Church. London: CPAS (and 3DM).

Christian Smith, K. C. (2011). Lost in Transition - The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood. New York: Oxford University Press.

Finney, J. (1996). recovering the Past - Roman and Celtic models of mission. London, UK: Dartman Longman and Todd.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer, C. A. (2007). Everyday Theology - How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Baker Academic.

McGilchrist, I. (2009). The Master and his Emissary – the divided brain and the making of the Western world. London, UK: Yale University Press.

Mills, C. W. (2000). The Sociological Imagination. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press.

Thiselton, A. C. (1980). The Two Horizons - New Testament Hermeneutics and Philosophical Description with Special Reference to Heidegger, Bultmann, Gadamer, and Wittgenstein. Carlisle, UK: The Paternoster Press.

Wink, W. (1986). Unmasking the Powers -The invisisble powers that determine human existence. Philadelphia, USA: Fortress Press.

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Published

2017-12-20

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Section

Articles