On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Two prominent thought-leaders in church planting and mission express a comprehensive vision for a truly apostolic—that is, mission-sent—future of the church. In an idea laden book, they relate inspiring accounts of churches recapturing the apostolic ethos and vision, and explain how a missional approach can bring wholesale transformation to existing churches that want to be all that Jesus intended them to be.
The church is on the verge of some tremendous changes. Contemporary church growth, despite its many blessings to believers, has failed to stem the decline of Christianity in the West. These times require a different kind of church—a church where every person is living a mission-sent life.
The Bible uses the word apostles for Jesus' followers. That is, people sent on Jesus' behalf. In every existing form of the contemporary church—from the mega to the multi to the incarnational—some churches have taken the idea of apostolic mission seriously. Successful church leaders are discovering how to shift their existing resources and church structures into more adaptable forms to reach their communities.
In this book, Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson share inspiring stories about leaders who have diagnosed their churches' failure to embrace a biblical model of mission and have moved toward a fuller expression of the gospel. On the Verge will help pastors and church leaders discover how these forerunners and their insights are launching a new apostolic movement, and how any church can get involved.
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Explores the establishment of missional communities as a key part of the missional strategy
- Calls the church to recover her most ancient, potent, and beautiful form: The apostolic movement
- Allows for the voices of both authors to be heard; one as a missional strategist and apostolic theologian, the other as an apostolic practitioner with relevant questions
- On the Verge of the Future (Alan and Dave)
Part 1: Imagine
- >The Silver Imagination (Alan)
- Mission to the Mind and Heart (Alan)
Part 2: Shift
- Apostolic Genius: The Genetic Code of Movement (Alan)
- Verge Vibe: The Operating System of Apostolic Movement (Alan)
- Embodying Movement-Programming Practices (Alan)
Part 3: Innovate
- Innovate or Die (Dave)
- Out-of-the-Box Innovation (Dave)
Part 4: Move
- Gaining Missional Momentum (Dave)
- The Making of an Apostolic Movement (Dave)
Hirsch and Ferguson share a great blend of theory and practice that will help you reenvision the way you do church. This is a must-read if you want to transition your church into the future.
—Craig Groeschel, Lead Pastor, Life Church
Alan and Dave give me hope that the church can be better in the West. Read and believe their timely words. We don’t have to settle for business as usual.
—Darrin Patrick, Pastor, The Journey; author of For the City and Church Planter
While pointing to a need for a new paradigm, Hirsch and Ferguson give a needed framework for getting from where we are to where we are heading.
—Dave Travis, Managing Director, Leadership Network