Review: The New Conspirators (Tom Sine)

Posted on July 28, 2008
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The New ConspiratorsIn the summer of 2000 Lyn and I were waiting to move to Vancouver BC. Whilst the time leading to our move seemed to go slowly I decided to get into some reading. One day in a Christian Book shop I picked up “Mustard Seed vrs McWorld.” Then we got busy and I didn’t really get to reading the book until we had moved back to the UK a couple of years later. What I read then, inspired me and challenged me.

MSvMW was one of the first books that helped me imagine what Christian life could, and maybe should be like. I went through portions of the book with different people I was trying to inspire with me to break out of the conventional models of churchianity to which we had become accustomed. Sadly, I found people only too willing to argue, especially when we broached conversations about more intentional community and better stewardship. Although MSvMW has informed our journey and borne some fruit in us and, through us in some others, I feel sad at the reticence of many to set the sails of adventure. I lament how difficult it is to break out of ‘life as we know it’ and into ‘life as it could be.’

So here we are in 2008 and we believe God is calling us back to Canada, to New Brunswick this time. This year Lyn was given a copy of ‘The New Conspirators’ to review here on her blog. Lyn reviewed the first part of the book, but I confess that I have stolen the book from here before she had the opportunity to finish the job. So my penance and pleasure is this review.

The book is in many ways a follow on from MSvMW. It accounts for the changes in the world and for the changes in the way many people are being and doing church.  The New Conspirators is an invitation. There are no blue prints or models to follow, but stories that invite you to creative imagination and to bold experimentation. These are seasoned with some simple suggestions to help you begin or continue your journey.

Tom’s research and analysis is excellent. His findings are disturbing however, especially when examining the challenges we are facing now, challenges which will only increase whilst the world continues on it current trajectory. Whilst surprising and sometimes alarming, we will all recognise the economic and environmental picture of the world that Tom paints.

In the midst of our present reality Tom calls us back to the future, to the hope of the homecoming of God’s Kingdom. In one very personal and moving section Tom refashions and paraphrases ancient biblical images of the coming of God’s kingdom. Tom reminds us and calls followers of Jesus back to the mission of planting the seeds from which this Kingdom will come to fruition. Whilst we need to be able to critique the world in which we live, we are called to be a living prophetic demonstration of the alternative way of life, a community that inspires hope.

Eternal life is not merely about living forever, but about cultivating that future reality here and now. Tom calls us to a creative faith that fills every aspect of our being, flowing out from our every activity: be it family life, or decisions about our spending, housing, vocation, giving or our use of time. I wonder, how many of us really meant it when we sang: “I surrender all” on a Sunday morning? This book subtly asks that question.

The remainder of the book is full of plentiful practical ideas of how we live this way of life. These are not theoretical sound bites, but true and living examples that are grounded in the pioneering practices of those who are already taking up the mustard seed challenge. These examples give me hope and fill me with excitement for the future.

Whilst this book is titled: the new conspirators, it is an advertisement for co-conspirators. For Lyn and I, as we hopefully head for New Brunswick in the fall, co-conspirators are exactly what we are on the lookout for.

More reviews can be found at here at thenewconspirators.com

Jon Hallewell

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Post charismatic

Posted on June 18, 2008
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I have finally got to writing about Rob McAlpine’s book, Post-Charismatic! I’ve really benefited from reading this book, thank you Rob. Post Charismatic is definitely one of those books which you find hard to put down. I started reading it whilst in Canada, and found that I was soon fighting with my husband over who was going to read it, as he picked it up one morning and got engrossed. Within a few days my Father-in-law had also joined in!

Post-Charismatic is split into two parts; part one: history and part two: spirit and praxis. Whilst reading part one I was absolutely amazed at the history of the charismatic movement. There was so much that I did not know. Rob has obviously spent a considerable amount of time researching the history of various movements and streams, such as the The Latter Rain Movement, Word of Faith and The Shepherding Movement. He has given a concise account of each movement or stream which leaves the reader a lot more informed than perhaps they were before. I was gob smacked at the amount of church “lingo” which derives from these movements/streams - some of which have been dissolved for many years now (such as the Shepherding Movement) .

Rob has critiqued the charismatic movement in a deep and thoughtful way. I don’t think he has discarded the charismatic movement. He has been able to illustrate the streams both at their best and worst.

If you have read Rob’s blog, then you will be familiar with his easy to read writing style, this book is no different. Rob has also been very honest about his own journey.

Towards the end of the book Rob encourages the reader to read Acts 2:42-47 with fresh eyes. This really caught my attention as for years I have felt that these verses are so important for the church today. They are almost my mantra of what I think church should be - as ever, I use the word church as the body of Christ, not a building!

I must admit that I felt a little tearful at the end of this book. Rob uses the metaphor of a chrysalis to describe the journey that post-charismatics are on, the chrysalis emerging into Charismissional (spirit-led missional living). I’m definitely on this journey. Now, for me, it’s seeing the Charismissional in action. Maybe Rob’s new book?

I really recommend this book.

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The End of Religion Review

Posted on March 20, 2008
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You might remember that I posted about a book which I had been given called The End of Religion by Bruxy Cavey. Robbie Mac has written a review of the book, which you can read here. I really recommend that you read this book. It is really readable and I am quickly getting through it. It is definitely one of those “I don’t want to put it down” books. I also find myself murmuring along whilst reading, much as I did with Frost’s Exiles, saying “Yes” and “Exactly” and “Why has it taken me so long to find a book like this?” Highly recommended read.

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Saving Women From The Church - How Jesus Mends A Divide

Posted on February 6, 2008
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Back in 2000 - 2001 I had the privilege of getting to know Susan McLeod Harrison whilst we attended the same Vineyard church in Vancouver. Susan is a very passionate lady, her passions include social injustice and women in Christianity. I’ll always remember her making salmon patties at our house whilst she stayed with us in the week leading up to my daughters birth. Having no family close by I was nervous about who would look after my son when I went into labour.  Susan sensed this and offered to help. When I went into labour at 3am she was there and she cared for my son, giving me peace - thank you so much for that Susan.

Anyway, I am thrilled that her book is about to be released this month (Saving Women From The church - How Jesus Mends A Divide).  Susan now lives in Oregon, and back in 2006 I got to read a couple of chapters from this book whilst it was being edited.  All I can say about them is wow! I think men and women will get a lot out of this book. Susan is biblically sound, and writes so well. I’ve copied Amazons description below … and you can click on the link above to buy it! ;-)

In the heart’s deep places many women share the same questions: Am I respected and loved by God the way I would be if I were male? Can I be myself in the church? Is it okay to be strong and use my leadership gifts?

Creatively matching stories of contemporary women and biblical stories of the interactions between Jesus and women, Susan McLeod-Harrison exposes the cultural biases of Jesus’ day that created a divide between women and men. And she shows Jesus’ response: He shunned cultural or religious expectations when they denigrated or limited women, and acknowledged the full humanity and dignity of women.

Straightforward, unapologetic, and engaging, Saving Women from the Church shows how Jesus offers hope and healing to women who have been alienated, wounded, controlled, or troubled by the church. This book will improve your vision of the full image of God in women.

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The New Conspirators - Conversation 1: Taking the New Conspirators Seriously

Posted on February 4, 2008
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I have been given the opportunity to review Tom Sine’s up and coming new release called The New Conspirators. It is due to be published mid-February by IVP:US and Paternoster.

I’ve been quite excited about reading this book, as Jonathan and I both loved Mustard Seed Vs McWorld when we read it back in 1999/2000. It was one of the first books we read which began our journey to where we are today.

The book is split into five conversations, so I have decided to review each conversation as I have finished reading it. I don’t have a paper copy yet, so I am taking my time to read through the PDF, as I find it hard reading books online! Once the paper copy arrives I should whiz through faster!

Conversation 1: Taking The New Conspirators Seriously
This conversation is split into Emerging, Missional, Mosaic and Monastic. These are the four major streams that Sine believes are ‘creating imaginative new expressions of life, church and mission’. This conversation is the jumping block to the rest of the book. It gives background information to each of the four streams, and introduces the reader to people who Sine sees as ‘key players’ within the streams. The emergent stream includes Jonny Baker, Kester Brewin, Ian Mosby, Graham Cray and John Drane in the UK, where the emerging movement first started off in the late 80s/early 90s and has since spread across the globe. Sine gives a brief description of the beginning of the emergent movement and shares some examples of emerging ministries and church plants. Key players from across the world include Steve Taylor, Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball and, of course, Brian McLaren. Sine recognizes though, that the emergent movement isn’t cut and dry, there are many different opinions as to what is defined as being an emerging church. Also there are many who have serious reservations about the movement as a whole. One thing which Sine points out though, is that the emerging movement is ‘very present within blogoshere, like no other Christian movement has’. Personally I see this through blogging, however I think it must also be recognized that blogging has only really taken off in the past few years, so other movements may not have caught on with it yet.

The Missional stream is challenging ‘traditional churches to rediscover their calling as God’s sent people’. Sine lists a number of recent publications, including The Shaping Of Things to Come (Hirsch and Frost) and Post Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World (Murray) which have encouraged people to focus on missions in their community and the wider world. Sine notes that emerging and missional streams have crossed over somewhat in recent years, although differences still remain. Sine recognizes key contributions in the stream from the likes of Scot McKnight, Alan Roxburgh and Leonard Sweet. Missional is the new ‘buzz’ word which many churches from across the board have taken on.

The Mosaic stream is a multi-cultural/mono-cultural movement which is reaching out to a young generation. Many of these young people are part of the hip-hop culture. Sine gives examples of different church gatherings aimed at the young. This includes Lawndale Community Church in Chicago, which featured in Jim and Casper go to Church; for those of you who read it. Many of these gatherings are set in multi-cultural cities, such as Los Angeles and London. Cities which reflect the diversity in culture across the world. This culture is reflected within the different church gatherings, and everyone brings a piece of something from where their roots are.

The Monastic stream is something which Sine alludes to being more for the older person, though he acknowledges that a smaller number younger people are involved. He splits this into middle class and poor. Sine suggests that people involved within this stream from the middle class want to ‘pursue more serious spiritual practices within their middle class lives’. Orders he has highlighted include The Iona Community in Scotland and Northumbria Community in England. Monastic within the poor is a stream which is becoming very evident in countries such as Mexico, Thailand and India. Groups of people are ‘purposely working and living with the poor in their communities and taking time for serious spiritual practice’. Movements noted include InnerCHANGE and Urban Neighbors of Hope.

Sine notes that ‘these days God is working through a generation who will not be satisfied with anything less than an authentic faith that makes a real difference in the lives of others and in the care of God’s good creation’. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. There is a rising up which God is clearly at work within, and I for one am excited to see where He will lead us.

Conversation 1 is quite brief in places, however it must be noted that this is giving the background to the streams. My hope is that as the conversations go on Sine will go into a little more depth on each of these streams and the role he sees them playing in the future. I think it should be also noted that a lot of Sine’s key players are authors of books etc, however, there are many key players out there involved in these streams who are unheard of in other parts of the world, but who are making major contributions to the conversation in their area and country. What I will say about this book so far, is that it is easy to read and comprehend. The writing style has flowed and I think if I was reading from a paper copy rather than PDF I would have not stopped at the end of this conversation.

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