"Steeped in tradition, many churches are caught up in a game of numbers and attendance tally sheets in an attempt to prove ‘success’ in the religious community. Often, when new members cannot be recruited, the bottom falls out of a church's ministry. In The Present Future, church consultant and church leadership trainer Reggie McNeal clarifies the importance of getting a church out of the ‘traditional rut’ and focused back on building God's kingdom according to His purposes.
"McNeal shares personal experiences he has had in his position as the Director of Leadership for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and as a private consultant to ministries, congregations, and para-church organizations. He has developed helpful strategies for witnessing, developing social and religious outreach ministries, and planting new churches, but his ideas are not cookie cutter or road map in inflexibility. His desire is to transform leaders so that they can change their congregations from a self-centered, members-only church to a Christ-centered, mission-oriented institution.
"In order to meet people's physical, spiritual and emotional needs, McNeil says that current church members will need to be released from some of their church offices and duties in order to have the time (and energy) to be effective outreach personnel in workplaces and expanded communities. He feels that the training of these outreach people should be patterned on the model used by Jesus. McNeil explains, "Jesus facilitated spiritual formation in his disciples by introducing them to life situations and then helping them debrief their experiences." Speaking metaphorically, McNeil says that just as surfers sit on the beach waiting to rush out and ride the perfect waves, so, too, must trained Christians watch for waves of change to impact America so that they can ride them to victory for the cause of Christ.
"McNeil knows that his book may seem demanding, even harsh; so, he has inserted a section meant to thwart negative feelings he may have unintentionally stirred. I recommend this book to pastors, elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, youth ministers, and anyone with a heart for church growth and Christian outreach." -- Amanda L. King, Christian Book Previews.com
Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars(3.5 out of 5 stars)
5 of 5 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Leif Holmes (Olympia WA), November 18, 2009
Excellent book. In response to a previous review insinuating the book de-emphasizes the Bible, this is not true. The author specifically addresses this on p.143. I don't necessarily agree w/everything, but it challenges many of us about why the church exists - for us or for those outside the church? Your answer to that will determine how you respond to this book.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Diane Dekker (Paola), February 03, 2009
The Present Future is a radical departure from the first Reformation which acknowledged the Bible as the sole and final authority for Christian living. According to McNeal, “life experience” should replace scripture as the primary source that informs our “learning agenda.” McNeal accuses the church of being “print-reliant,” giving the Bible a much higher priority than it deserves. He states, “The Bible has become for the modern church the supreme manifestation of the Word of God (not Christ) because it is “objective” truth (a modern distinction). It has become the fourth member of the Trinity.” McNeal not only questions the objective truth of scripture, but feels the Bible actually interferes with our relationship to Christ: “We focus on the Bible because the thing-in-itself (God) is really beyond us. Contrast this to the medieval mystics who sought and obtained personal intimacy with God … there was not the interposition of text between soul and God…” McNeal’s entire program is designed to wean believers from the Word and focus instead on this “spiritual formation.”
In McNeal’s vision, seminary will no longer be necessary, because upcoming leaders will be trained by other “apostolic leaders” of the “new tribe” churches. He discourages privatized learning, believing that core values should be determined by group consensus. For McNeal, it’s all about what we do, and he recommends keeping a “scorecard” to track our attempts at evangelism. He advocates diverting the church’s money and resources from church programs to “community transformation.” His overall contempt for the institutional church is in no way disguised. He says, “The new Reformation is about freeing God’s people from the church (the institution.)” His recommendation: “I think the solution is an abandonment of church culture idolatry and a radical reintroduction of spiritual formation.” It appears to be the Emerging Anti-Church.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Judith Henry (Gallatin, TN), December 28, 2007
Excellent book! But beware -- it will shake you up. This book looks at the church activities you've always taken part in, or initiated, and make you evaluate what real kingdom-value they have.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Barry (St Louis, MO), February 15, 2005
McNeal is able to write and explain the way I've been feeling for years. My only question is "now what?" Don't read if you're not willing to be challenged!
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Doug Morris (Toddville Iowa), February 29, 2004
A very thought provoking book, that may open your eyes to a changing the culture. The only thing that makes me wonder is it theory or something that can be applied in ministy. Worth reading yes by all means.
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