TREASURE IN CLAY JARS

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power from is God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Each month I spent some time with other 4 or 5 other guys in the Pittsburgh region talking about leadership in the missional church. Two of us are old guys and the rest of the group are what I like to call emerging leaders - they keep me on my toes and I am grateful to God that our lives and ministries are becoming more and more interconnected. Believe me, there is a lot of iron sharpening iron that occurs.

This fall we determined that we would read together a book published by The Gospel and Our Culture Network entitled Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness (Lois Barrett et al.). The book is a follow-up to a seminal book on the missional chucrh written in 1998 by Darrell Guder, Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America.

Treasure in Clay Jars centers on case studies of nine missional congregations from across the United States and Canada that are diverse in their denomination affiliations, worship styles, political stances, and socioeconomic background. The book explores eight concrete patterns common to these churches. Although the patterns may look different in each setting, the authors argue that these eight patterns can be recognized in any congregation seeking to participate in God's mission in the world. These patterns are not so much about specific activities, but more so about the very heart and soul of the church. The authors write: "the church does not exists for itself, but for participation in God's mission of reconciliation...Mission is the character of the church in whatever context it exists."

For today let me simply list the eight discernable patterns and then in some follow-up posts, I'll share some thoughts and reflections on these patterns and open up some dialogue. As you read through the list, are there any that get your pulse rate up? Which ones energize you or stir up your curiosity? Drop a comment, would you?

Pattern 1, Missional Vocation
Pattern 2, Biblical Formation and Discipleship
Pattern 3, Taking Risks as a Contrast Community
Pattern 4, Practices That Demonstrate God's Intent for the World
Pattern 5, Worship as Public Witness
Pattern 6, Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Pattern 7, Pointing Toward the Reign of God
Pattern 8, Missional Authority

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