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Treasure in Clay Jars: Ecclesiology Book Review
Shariee Jones
Barclay College
Original: January 2, 2013
*Revised: February 21, 2016
Introduction
The Developing Congregational Models research team was to construct a model of the ideal missional congregation. Upon extensive research of seven congregations, they discovered that gathering stories from these congregations would help new and already established missional churches grow. A Treasure in Clay Jars consists of stories on mission-centered churches not intended for imitation but strategies used in the churches that would inspire as well as “let the gospel of Jesus Christ more and more shape [their] congregation.” (Barrett p.153-54)
The authors’ theological views on ecclesiology
A church that participates in God’s mission is a missional church. Churches are diverse in terms of geography, tradition, ethnicity, and size but are all called “to be a prophetic voice to the culture.” (Barrett p. xi, 19) The authors have centered their findings on 2 Corinthians 4. They stated that “the mission [of the church] is to set things right in a broken, sinful world, to redeem it, and to restore it to what God has always intended for the world. The community’s thought, words, and deeds are being formed into a pattern that proclaims the gospel of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.” (Barrett p.149-50) These eight patterns of clay jars—of church life were compiled with focuses on “congregations that are becoming missional.” (Barrett p. ix- xi)
1. Pattern 1, Missional Vocation ~ “The calling of the church to be missional is about what the church is, what its public role should be, and what its voice should sound like.” (Barrett p.58) It should create a new direction for change and transformation in which is a characteristic response to the importance of God’s message. (Barrett p. 57) The church shaped by tradition such as the ministry approach should show signs of “commitment to personal evangelism, and involvement in the support of global mission efforts.” (Barrett p.47)
2. Pattern 2, Biblical Formation and Discipleship ~ “The missional church is a community where all members are learning what it means to be disciples of Jesus. The Bible has a continuing, converting, formative role in the church’s life.” Becoming a missional congregation can be described as a process of biblical formation and discipling.” (Barrett p. 59) The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us the experience of the daily renewal of our inner natures for continued formation (Barrett p.60, 62) Disciples are followers of Jesus and “know the Scriptures as well as be obedient to them.” (Barrett p.72) The church must distinguish the difference between holy living and normal life, repent from the current way of doing things and change. (Barrett p. 69-70)
3. Pattern 3, Taking as a Contrast Community ~ “The missional church is learning to take risks for the sake of the gospel.” (Barrett p.74) We must think of the whole body of people by ministering even to those that society rejects. (p.80) “The god of the age continues to blind people’s minds to the light of Christ.” (Barrett p.75) Sharing the sufferings of Christ within the whole community even the dominant culture teaches us to behave in “new ways in relation to one another.” (Barrett p.79)
4. Pattern 4, Practices That Demonstrate God’s Intent for the World ~ “The church does not exist for itself, but for participation in God’s mission of reconciliation.” (Barrett p. ix) The church must practice listening, helping and bearing all and move forward by creating new ways of missional faithfulness. “The practices of the church embody mutual care, reconciliation, loving accountability, and hospitality.” (Barrett p.84) It must overcome barriers that separate people from another by “demonstrating God’s intent for the life of the world.” (Barrett p.95)
5. Pattern 5, The Public Witness of Worship ~ Worship is God-directed. Keep the focus on God and work an inside-out approach of the church. Public witness can be a part of all aspects in life because worshiping “publicly reveals the hidden foundations of cultures and subcultures.” (Barrett p.104) It declares God’s reign and sustain the identity of the Christian Community. The people called “church” are to bear witness to the name of God. (Barrett p.116)
6. Pattern 6, Dependence on the Holy Spirit ~ “The missional community confesses its dependence upon the Holy Spirit, shown in particular in its practices of corporate prayer.” (Barrett p.117) A life of Christ fill empty clay jars healing the errors that arise within life. (Barrett p.119) “A congregation’s missional effort is to presume the Spirit’s active involvement in the life and work of the Body of Christ.” (Barrett p.120) The church should live by this pattern of the Spirit of God.
7. Pattern 7, Pointing Toward the Reign of God ~ “The church is called to be a sign of the reign of God—to speak, to be, and to do.” (Barrett p.150) “The missional church understands its calling as witness to the gospel of the in-breaking reign of God and strives to be an instrument, agent, and sign of that reign.” (Barrett p.126) We display the inheritance that’s deeply rooted in us… our true purpose. The church should “witness a remarkable treasure that points to God’s power and to His purpose of the world.” (Barrett p. xii)
8. Pattern 8: Missional Authority ~ “To be missional is a matter of making Christ visible in the life of the congregation.” (Barrett p. 151) Throughout the Bible the ultimate authority comes from God. Jesus spoke and acted by the authority given by God, not man. The church authority comes from Jesus, lead for the sake of His reign in hopes of forming a missional community, focus on missional vocation and missional practices. (Barrett p.141)
Analysis of the authors’ theology
The authors’ views on ecclesiology gave an overview of how the focus of the main purpose and functions of a missional church can create more success. It exhibits biblical models of the church that has a traditional backing that can become more missional. McGrath stated that “all Christians are made one in Christ.” This will be a great opportunity for the Church to “grow in faith and holiness.” (McGrath p. 377) McGrath stated that the “church is, and is meant to be, a mixed body” crossing socioeconomic boundaries. (McGrath p.381) Church should be a place for healing and there are people hurting outside of the church; so missioning outside of the church is necessary.
The author’s findings within their research are valid and the patterns of the church should reflect God’s mission. The right patterns will come from the Spirit within the church from the people of God; representation of salvation, made up as the body of Christ, a servant of people, and composed within the community of the Spirit. (McGrath p.376-77) The research however is limited without looking at other Christian based sources, because it focused on the building of the Church instead of the body of the Church. However, it is a great starting point for traditional ministries to expand in order to understand the importance of fellowship outside of the church.
Conclusion
The Treasure of Clay Jars was compiled “so that we do not lose heart” of the focus and center of the Christian church. (Barrett 2004) Throughout the whole book there are repeated patterns of how missional faithfulness can aid in the growth of new congregations. It is a reminder of the Apostle Paul’s notes on God’s Word, to “live according to the pattern we gave you.” (Phil 3:17) In McGrath it states that **ecclesiology seeks “to give theoretical justification to an institution which has undergone development and change down the centuries, set against an altering social and political context.” (McGrath p.375) If this is true then the research made by The Developing Congregational Models’ research team has proven this with their research. They have provided inspiration approach for a whole new generation of missional churches.
Reference
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible. New International Reader’s Version. 1998. Colorado Springs, CO. International Bible Society.
Barrett, Lois, Y., et al. (2004) Treasure in clay jars: patterns in missional faithfulness. Grand Rapids, MI & Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
McGrath, Alister E. (2011).5th Ed. Christian Theology: an Introduction. Malden, Ma & United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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*This document was edited for clarity and understanding for young readers. However, nothing was taking out of context from the original document.
**Ecclesiology means refers to the theological study of the Christian Church.
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