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Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church Audiobook
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(3.14) - 259 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this provocative book, author, consultant, and church leadership developer Reggie McNeal debunks these and other old assumptions and provides an overall strategy to help church leaders move forward in an entirely different and much more effective way. In The Present Future, McNeal identifies the six most important realities that church leaders must address including: recapturing the spirit of Christianity and replacing "church growth" with a wider vision of kingdom growth; developing disciples instead of church members; fostering the rise of a new apostolic leadership; focusing on spiritual formation rather than church programs; and shift, from prediction and planning to preparation for the challenges in an uncertain world. McNeal contends that by changing the questions church leaders ask themselves about their congregations and their plans, they can frame the core issues and approach the future with new eyes, new purpose, and new ideas.
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"This book is a must read if you recognize that current church culture is not reflecting the heart of the gospel nor impacting our communities. The author's label of "church club member" may step on your toes, so only read if you are feeling courageous."
— Jeanette (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“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, author of Leading the Team-Based Church -
“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 -
“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 -
“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, US Army Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
Present Future Listener Reviews
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" I think this is a very helpful and insightful book for leaders and church members. It will take a while to digest and put into practice, but a very important topic. "
— Lavonne, 2/18/2014 -
" I am finding this encouraging as a minister "
— John, 2/12/2014 -
" I rounded up - this would be a 2.5. It does have some interessting ideas about the future of the church, but I just found it really dry and hard to get through. I enver would have picked it up on my own, bute read it for a leadership group at church. That said, it took me 3 months to get through it. "
— Krystal, 2/12/2014 -
" Gave this to our church elders one Christmas and I recommend it often. Lays out the issues of the church for a forward-looking response. "
— Jan, 2/7/2014 -
" Every church leader needs to read this book. Reggie is blunt, honest and prophetic. "
— David, 1/26/2014 -
" I haven't been inspired for change by a book like I was by The Present Future. It made me see Mission in a whole new light. Good stuff! "
— Monica, 1/19/2014 -
" McNeal presents a compelling, disturbing picture of the reality that churches need to face. "
— Walt, 1/18/2014 -
" Full of fresh insights. "
— Heidi, 1/15/2014 -
" A little dated (2003), but still lots of good material to challenge the reigning "church as a country club" mentality so prevalent in America. A good book to begin the Missional journey. "
— Gregory, 12/6/2013 -
" Intriguing questions that the church needs to ask itself. "
— Mark, 11/23/2013 -
" This book is awesome! It really makes me rethink where Christians/ the church are going in the future and what Christians/ the church need to be about in this time/generation with this new worldview. This is a must read. "
— Mindy, 11/12/2013 -
" i love this book! this book totally changed my paradigms about the church. i definitely recommend this one! in fact, you NEED to read this! "
— Brandon, 4/14/2013 -
" I agree with some of the things McNeal has to say, but I wouldn't recommend this book to any of my friends. "
— Tyler, 11/16/2012 -
" was a good discussion starter for small group, but the book itself wasn't all that practical -it just raised questions. to be fair, he said he was just going to raise questions and not answer them, in this book at least. "
— Abby, 6/11/2012 -
" Good for churches and leaders to examine "
— Jerrod, 7/21/2011 -
" An amazing book Reggie presents some fantastic ideas for how churches can do things differently. "
— Daryl, 7/20/2011 -
" wow. One of the best books I have read on the state of/future of the church. At one point I mentioned that he must have our church building/homes "bugged" because he is so right on the mark. "
— Missyjohnson1, 3/24/2011 -
" He sees and knows what our church is going through. Very insightful. "
— Deb, 1/31/2011 -
" This is another work assignment read. It has some very interesting insights into what the church of today misses out on and what opportunities lie ahead if taken advantage of. (I know, too many ending with prepositions.) Very thought-provoking. "
— Linda, 12/27/2010 -
" I am finding this encouraging as a minister "
— John, 7/12/2010 -
" He sees and knows what our church is going through. Very insightful. "
— Deb, 3/16/2010 -
" Every church leader needs to read this book. Reggie is blunt, honest and prophetic. "
— David, 8/22/2009 -
" This is another work assignment read. It has some very interesting insights into what the church of today misses out on and what opportunities lie ahead if taken advantage of. (I know, too many ending with prepositions.) Very thought-provoking. "
— Linda, 1/24/2009 -
" Good for churches and leaders to examine<br/> "
— Jerrod, 12/27/2008 -
" Extremelyu radical book. <br/> If even 25% of the churches in America really followed these principles.. there would be a massive revival. <br/> But alas.. we are all infected with Laodicea... "
— John, 11/19/2008 -
" I agree with some of the things McNeal has to say, but I wouldn't recommend this book to any of my friends. "
— Tyler, 5/21/2008 -
" This book is awesome! It really makes me rethink where Christians/ the church are going in the future and what Christians/ the church need to be about in this time/generation with this new worldview. This is a must read. "
— Mindy, 4/22/2008 -
" i love this book! this book totally changed my paradigms about the church. i definitely recommend this one! in fact, you NEED to read this! "
— Brandon, 12/19/2007 -
" a lot of this book is written simply to say that the church in America is busy building cabins when it should be making boats. <br/><br/>and that's about the best way i can explain it. "
— Damian, 11/8/2007
About Reggie McNeal
Reggie McNeal currently serves as the missional leadership specialist for the Leadership Network of Dallas. He has over a decade of experience as a denominational executive and leadership development coach and has served in local congregational leadership for over twenty years, including being the founding pastor of a new church. He has lectured and taught as adjunct faculty for multiple seminaries and has served as a consultant to local church, denomination, and parachurch leadership teams. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Columbia, South Carolina.
About Lloyd James
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.