malcolm chamberlain

I've just finished reading Ian Mobsby's book 'Emerging and Fresh Expressions of Church - how are they authentically Church and Anglican?' It's a book form of Ian's academic research into 4 emerging churches (3 in UK and 1 in USA) that have links with the Anglican Communion, and is unique in the fact that it focusses on ecclesiology and, in particular, Anglican ecclesiology, whereas most other published books on the emerging church tend to focus on missiology. In short, it does exactly what it says on the tin (well, in the title anyway).

It's a well written and researched book which, refreshingly, is as aware of its own shortcomings as it is of its findings. It's definitely worth reading as it goes a long way towards addressing many of the theological issues that 'Mission-shaped Church' overlooked. Ian's analysis of contemporary culture is also informative, going beyond discussions of postmodernity alone to look at the impacts of consumerism and information technology on the spiritual landscape of the West.

Ian's book can be ordered direct from Moot, or from SPCK or Amazon if you prefer! It's worth stating that all the money raised from the sale of this book goes towards Moot, the community Ian is a part of, so in buying the book you'll be helping to fund a growing emerging church!

Labels: church, emerging church, theology