The Forgotten Ways Workbook: A practical guide for developing missional churches by Alan Hirsch with Darryn Altclass (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2009)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

Theory and ideals about revitalising churches is fine, but guidance about how to do it is harder to come by. Here is an accessible and practical workbook for groups aspiring to develop missional momentum.

“The Forgotten Ways” according to Alan Hirsch, are the “Apostolic Genius” that lies dormant but accessible in the people of God, but with the pressures of modern society and the traditions of Christendom we tend to have forgotten. It is composed of six elements of missional-DNA, which the workbook unpacks and helps churches apply:

1. Jesus is Lord, the simple confession of God’s claims over all of life. 2. Disciple Making, the core task of helping people become like Jesus. 3. Missional-Incarnational Impulse, planting the gospel in the midst of cultures. 4. Apostolic Environment, as leaders promote missional-DNA and cultivate space for other leaders and ministries to emerge. 5. Organic Systems, decentralized structures which unleash people to innovate and engage their communities. 6. Communitas, evolving as groups engage in adventurous mission together.

Any of these six elements are helpful, but together they foster a synergy and the kind of phenomenal growth seen in the Early Church and China. As we struggle with changes in society, the apparent disconnect of church, and the thirst for spirituality and community in the Western world, I am convinced Hirsch’s reflections are worth reading, reflecting on and most importantly giving action to.

This is why the handbook Alan Hirsch has produced with Darryn Altclass is so timely. It summarises The Forgotten Ways chapter by chapter. It offers suggested habits and practices for living out the missional-DNA. And it guides groups to unpack and act on the material, discern action steps and priorities, and journal where God is prompting.

I particularly appreciated the wealth of practical ideas and examples of other congregations grappling with implementing these practices. For example, Third Place Communities in Hobart has discerned their unique calling to be a missionary community within local third places (pubs and other gathering places). They regularly ask, “What is Jesus brewing within, amongst and around us?”

The authors urge an organic and empowering approach to leadership rather than command-and-control, moving on from leader as “CEO” to the model of “catalyst”: “A catalyst inspires people to connect and talk about things that matter. In a ministry sense, catalysts facilitate discussion and dreaming around participating in God’s missionary endeavour.” (p.134)

The handbook is realistic about change, and the importance of good process. It offers processes for cultivating imaginative new ideas and introducing spiritual disciplines into a community. And it outlines basic principles for good missionary practice – from listening to hospitality, how to simplify church and life to free up space for relationships, and practicing proximity, regularity and spontaneity in community involvement.

The Forgotten Ways Handbook is an invaluable resource for church planters, leadership teams seeking to reshape their church around mission, and small groups wanting to move beyond the walls of their own interests. This is the best and most accessible guidebook and introduction to EMC practice. If I was to put one book into the hand of church leaders grappling with the challenges of 21st century mission, this would be it.

Hirsch and Altclass emphasise the importance of planning for movemental growth: “Not only is becoming a movement a challenge for most of us, but it is one that must be undertaken by as many churches and agencies as possible if we are to establish Christianity in the West. Failure here will mean the continuing decline of Christianity in every context in the West – and this is unacceptable to all committed to seeing the gospel appropriated and Jesus worshipped throughout our cities and neighbourhoods.” (pp.19-20)

Knowledge is not really worth much until it is acted upon and lived out. If you want to read a book just to think about – look elsewhere. But if you are serious about letting a book make a difference in your life and the life of your community, then get a bulk set of these and work through them with your team.

Darren is the Baptist Union of Victoria’s Coordinator of Leadership Training and Forge’s Director of Theological Studies. A blog and further resources are accessible at http://www.theforgottenways.org.