Michael Moynagh

First there was missional. Then there was the emergent resurgent insurgence, organic church, liquid church, free range church, new monasticism, the new parish and the New Kids. We are always on the hunt for the latest way to be church in ways that engage neighborhoods and culture. Michael Moynagh conducts research at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford for Fresh Expressions UK. He is an advocate of the ‘fresh expressions’ of church (UK speak for missional?). He examines ‘witnessing communities’ in the UK and around the globe. With over 120 examples of Fresh Expression Witnessing Communities,his book, Being Church and Doing Life, explores the creative ways that Christians have sought to connect the gospel to everyday life.

Moynagh’s book is divided into three parts. Part one explores the reasons why have ‘communities in life’ (i.e. churches that meet in pubs, laundry mats, etc.). Part two explores the ‘tools’ necessary for developing witness communties (practices, disciplines, and approaches). Part three explores the tools (organization, leadership, networks and structures) for the wider church. Each section (and chapter) are full of stories of on the ground practitioners who are reaching out in creative ways. Alan Hirsch ( Author of The Forgotten Ways, The Shaping of Things to Come). This is very much a book written with the missional impulse and a desire to participate in God’s Kingdom coming.

The stories of what other churches (witnessing communities) are doing is the best part of this book. It is always exciting to find out what churches are doing. This is an ‘idea book’ for brainstorming what church could look like in my context. Of course these ‘witnessing communities’ are highly contextualized so are not necessarily reproducible. Still I appreciate some clues to what’s possible. I also really appreciated the emphasis on relationship. I was reminded of Rodney Stark’s thesis in The Rise of Christianity, that the early Church grew exponentially by enfolding seekers into their social networks. This is the principle I see at play in witnessing communities. The intentional relationality of this approach means that these ‘witnessing communities’ are fostering meaningful connections with their neighbors.

I do wonder if smaller, contextual communities are too self selecting. A lot of the examples seem to focus around ‘lifestyle’ groups. I wonder if this is too homogeneous. I also wish that this book had a more explicit theological grounding. What this book advocates for is creative relational building with neighbors and friends, but Moynagh spends far less time rooting this biblically. A few times I wondered what the content of the gospel proclamation was in a few of the witnessing communities he cited.

Yet there is real value in a book of this kind. I recommend this book for people dreaming of new ways of being church and churches interested in a more robust form of life sharing. Moynagh has profiled some interesting stuff. Four stars.

Thank you to Kregel Publications and Monarch Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.… (más)

Being Church Doing Life by Dr. Michael Moynagh is divided into three parts: Why we meed communities in life, tools for developing witnessing communities and tools for the wider church. This book clearly defines and lays out a plan with wonderful examples of how anyone can create this type of community in their every day life.

Hospitality has been long been a strong venue for Christians to witness and serve others. It makes sense that the next step would be to have gospel communities in our every day life - not to replace the church but to extend faith into everyday life.

Here is one of the statements that for me really summed up what the concept of a gospel community is ~

" ... witnessing communities take different shapes in different settings. They seek to express the life of the church in ways that both fit and remain faithful to Jesus."

I found this book to be intriguing. It's a simple message but one of such depth and layers that I want to further study this book.

Please stop by and let me know your impressions of this book!

Many thanks to Kregel Publications for the opportunity to review this book. My review is my own and reflects my thoughts and feelings regarding this book.… (más)

If you had asked me a few months ago for my opinion regarding "fresh expressions of church," I think I would have looked quizzically at you and then said that I wasn't sure what you meant but couldn't imagine it was something of which I would be in favor. That was before reading Being Church, Doing Life: Creating Gospel Communities Where Life Happens by Michael Moynagh. With over 120 examples from Britain and North America, the book describes how ordinary Christians can start and grow these gospel communities in their everyday lives. In his foreword, Alan Hirsch says, "these new expressions of church must surely be considered our best chance for a renewed impact of the Gospel in the West." Moynagh's approach to "contextual church" is simple but transformative:

Ask another Christian (or more!)
Begin jointly to serve people around you
Create community with them
Discuss stories about Jesus
Explore following Him together

In case you hadn't noticed from what I've said above, I've become a fan of the idea. :-) Woven throughout the 120+ inspiring examples, the book explains why Christians should start gospel communities and how to get started. This is an important book for all Christians to read. While there is much in the book for those in church leadership, the book is written for you and me. I found the book interesting, inspiring, and very easy to read.

I encourage you to read this book today! Perhaps it will inspire you to start a gospel community where your life happens!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from Kregel Publications as part of their Being Church, Doing Life Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing these things in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."… (más)

A comprehensive, thorough, and accessible exploration of the theology, theory, and practice of the developing Fresh Expressions of church (FX) movement in the UK. As a Pioneer Minister in the early stages of leading a new contextual church I kept coming across analytical frameworks that allowed me to think more clearly about experiences I am encountering in this ministry. I was also grateful for the rooting of much of this analysis with practical examples. There are areas in which I disagree with the authors, but I cannot argue with the clarity and depth of their arguments. They are robust but generous in their engagement with the critics of the FX movement. They are also not deferential to supporters of FX if they perceive weaknesses in their thinking or practice. All in all a really helpful resource, which I imagine I will be returning to again and again.… (más)