The Present Future (eBook)

Reggie McNeal serves as the Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of Dallas, Texas. McNeal is the author of Missional Renaissance, A Work of Heart, and Practicing Greatness from Jossey-Bass. Leadership Network fosters church innovation and growth through strategies, programs, tools, and resources consistent with their far-reaching mission. Contact Leadership Network at www.leadnet.org.

About Leadership Network ix

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xiii

Introduction xv

New Reality Number One: The Collapse of the 1

Church Culture New Reality Number Two: The Shift from Church 20

Growth to Kingdom Growth New Reality Number Three: A New Reformation: 43

Releasing God's People New Reality Number Four: The Return to Spiritual Formation 69

New Reality Number Five: The Shift from Planning 92

to Preparation New Reality Number Six: The Rise of Apostolic Leadership 120

Things I Didn't Say 140

Conclusion 146

References 149

The Author 151

"This is the most courageous book I have ever read on church life.
McNeal nails the problem on the head. Be prepared to be turned
upside down and shaken loose of all your old notions of what church
is and should be in today's world."

-- George Cladis, senior pastor, Westminster Presbyterian
Church, Oklahoma City and author, Leading the Team-Based
Church

"With humor and rare honesty Reggie McNeal challenges church
leaders to take authentic Christianity back into the real world.
He's asking the right questions to help us get back on
track."

-- Tommy Coomes, contemporary Christian music pioneer and
record producer, artist with Franklin Graham Ministries

"Reggie McNeal throws a lifeline to church leaders who are
struggling with consumer-oriented congregations wanting church for
themselves. The Present Future will recharge you
passion."

-- Rev. Robert R. Cushman, senior pastor, Princeton Alliance
Church, Plainsboro, New Jersey

"Christian leaders will find great questions being answered in
this compelling and motivating work that unwraps what he calls 'the
realities of the present future' in the church today."

-- Kelvin Gardiner, district superintendent, Christian and
Missionary Alliance.

"The momentum of God that allows visionary ministries to
experience exponential growth stalls for the lack of great
management (having the right systems and people in place to move to
the next level). This is a must read for the young entrepreneur at
the beginning of ministry or the seasoned pioneer!"

-- Mike Slaughter, senior pastor, Ginghamsburg United
Methodist Church, Tipp City Ohio

"I would highly recommend this book to any person interested in
the current state of the Church in North America and the future of
that Church. It is time that we pay attention to the realities of
our ministry context and like David's 'Men of Issachar' discern the
right path into the future."

-- Rick E. Morrow, pastoral care coordinator, U.S. Army
Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina

"This book is a rare find in which McNeal lovingly challenges
the church with a spirit of adventure and rediscovery."

-- The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop, The Episcopal
Diocese of Louisiana