Alan Hirsch - The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating Apostolic Movements

2006, 2016 by Alan Hirsch

Published by Brazos Press

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.brazospress.com

Ebook edition created 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4934-0472-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Alan Hirsch has been a major influence in the way I think about the mission of the church and more importantly, the way I live church. The Forgotten Ways must be remembered, must be read, must be integrated into your life, leadership, and local church context.

Greg Nettle , president, Stadia

An amazing work of analysis, synthesis, and application. Hirsch provides a timely, well-informed overview of the range of current thinking and writing on movemental Christianity and draws rich insights that, if ignited by the Holy Spirit, can revolutionize many churches today.

Howard A. Snyder , author of The Problem of Wineskins ; visiting director, Manchester Wesley Research Centre

Only a handful of books have set the stage for God to have a conversation with the whole church about his mission. The Forgotten Ways is one of those books, now available with critical updates. Hirsch has placed before the church a timeless conversation about the future, the mission, the people, and the practices of a God-breathed movement.

Hugh Halter , author, church planter, and director of Forge America

In this fresh, reworked edition of The Forgotten Ways , Hirsch continues to engage, challenge, and inspire us as we explore what it means to fully be Gods church in an ever-changing cultural landscape. Hirsch holds tightly to the deep truth that in order to move forward we must renew our commitment to journey down an ancient paththe rugged, narrow way found in the life of Jesus Christ. This book is a must-read.

Jo Saxton , chair of the board, 3dmovements; church planter, author, and speaker

The Forgotten Ways has been a road map for missional movements. The map is now updated with even more insight and ten more years of learning.

Neil Cole , Movement Catalyst; author of Organic Church , Church 3.0 , and Primal Fire

I referred to the first edition of this book as a full-blooded and comprehensive call for the complete orientation of the church around mission, and that is no less true for this updated version. With the benefit of ten years of experience in teaching these concepts around the world, Hirsch has freshened his groundbreaking work for a new generation of readers. The Forgotten Ways is as relevant and as powerful as ever.

Michael Frost , author of Road to Missional and Surprise the World

I heartily recommend The Forgotten Ways to church planters and ministry leaders around the world. This significant texts fresh recovery of and call to a dynamic missional movement paradigm has shaped my thinking and practice.

Mark Reynolds , vice president of leadership programs, Redeemer City to City

The Forgotten Ways was a catalytic force of God in my own life, and it remains on my must-read list for anyone interested in the church and mission. In the new edition, Hirsch ignites our imaginations with deep hope and raw honesty and convinces us that the churchs finest hour is ahead of us. Prophet, priest, teacher, and leader, Hirsch is an essential voice to our generation.

Danielle Strickland , speaker, author, and Salvation Army officer

Hirschs prophetic voice and unique passion beckons the church to rediscover the ancient path and follow where it leads. The Forgotten Ways is a navigational chart for pastors and churches willing to brave a journey of faith, courage, and sacrifice beyond the safety of comfortable shores for the sake of the gospel.

Mark DeYmaz , directional leader, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas; author of Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church

In this rebel camp we call the church planting community, The Forgotten Ways has long been one of the great fires around which we have gathered to dream. Now, with fresh and important fuel for a radical rethinking of church, this fire is spreading a new hope for apostolic movement within every part of the church.

Graham Singh , executive director, Church Planting Canada; pasteur, St. James Montral

Reading The Forgotten Ways when it was first published revolutionized the way I understood Gods mission, the essence of the church, and my participation in both. I didnt think it was possible, but with this second edition, Hirsch provides even greater clarity and challenge. If you are serious about the future of the church, then read every page and allow it to activate a movement within you and throughout the life of the church.

Brad Brisco , coauthor of Missional Essentials and Next Door as It Is in Heaven

Hirsch revisits The Forgotten Ways like a jackhammer revisits concrete. This book shatters our narrow vistas, revealing the broad panorama of Jesuss mission. It assails imagination and redefines an apostolic approach to a culture evermore scornful of current Christian ministry and thought.

Ralph Moore , author of Starting a New Church and Making Disciples

Hirsch has gone on a quest with this latest work. There is nothing more important than seeking to rediscover our identity and purpose as established by the Lord of the church; it truly is a journey, but one that is essential and well worth it.

Tammy Dunahoo , Foursquare Church

Many people have been helped by The Forgotten Ways. For those of us in the institutional churches, the book has been bracing and challenging; we dont always agree with it, but it contains many lessons to be learned. Hirschs book is a call to reimagine the church, and this call applies as much to the new types of church increasingly emerging in the global North as to the older ones. The church, even new versions, needs to be constantly re-formed. Hirsch offers a comprehensive and illuminating guide for the task.

Michael Moynagh , author of Church for Every Context ; Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

In this second edition, Hirsch does what he does best: he helps us remember our past so that we can reimagine our future. Its time for the church to become a movement again. Read the book and become part of this emerging future; too much is at stake to settle for anything less.

Dave Rhodes , pastor of discipleship and movement initiatives, Grace Fellowship Church; lead team director, 100 Movements

Alan puts forth his ideas for a new generation longing to rediscover the churchs missional nature and reactivate anew its forgotten ways. When I read Alans words, I want to drop what Im doing and focus my attention again on Gods mission. After reading this book, I imagine you will as well.

Ed Stetzer (from the foreword)

I am thankful for how Alan... calls us back to what is true of Gods people and prophetically catalyzes us toward a vision for what life looks like when we remember who we are.... May our memories be jogged, as our hearts are stirred, to live in the forgotten ways of our Savior, Lord, and King, Jesus Christ!

Jeff Vanderstelt (from the afterword)

It is refreshing to read a book related to the missional church that provides theological depth coupled with creative thinking. Hirsch reestablishes the essential links between Christology, missiology, and ecclesiology. The Forgotten Ways helps to rescue the concept of church from the clutches of Christendom, setting it free to become a dynamic movement in place of a dying institution.