In this week’s episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I am joined by Kellen Criswell.
Kellen Criswell is a pastor, ministry leader, and former missionary who holds and MA in Global Leadership from Western Seminary and is currently working on his doctorate. He is the Executive Director of Calvary Global Network and has a heart for the mission of God and the global church.
After a brief discussion about Kellen’s favorite music and the fact that he is from Utah (AKA “Colorado Jr.”), we dive into a discussion about Missional Ecclesiology, which is a way of understanding the identity, purpose, and function of the church within the Missio Dei (the love-motivated, self-sending, mission of God into the world to save, redeem, and restore).
One more thought about Utah: If you have to tell people (on your license plates) that you have “the best snow in the world,” you probably don’t. It’s kind of like using the world “Real” in a title. If you have to say that something is “real ______” – it probably isn’t. And also, what Margaret Thatcher said: “Being a leader is like being a lady: If you have to tell people you are one, you probably aren’t.” Same with the snow, Utah…
But I digress…
Ecclesiology is the discussion of what the Church is called to be and to do – including its nature, purpose, hopes, structures, and practices.
We discuss how this concept works out practically, including a discussion of “foreign missions” and how they fit into this understanding. Furthermore, we discuss what the past nearly two years of pandemic has revealed about ecclesiology, and why there is hope as we move forward.
Listen to this episode in the embedded player below or by clicking this link: Missional Ecclesiology: What is the role of the church in the mission of God? – with Kellen Criswell
Missional Ecclesiology: What is the role of the church in the mission of God? – with Kellen Criswell – Theology for the People
Make sure to check out some of the books and papers listed below for more information and study on this topic.
Bibliography and recommended resources:
- Hirsch, Alan. The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating Apostolic Movements.
- Goheen, Michael. The Church and it’s Vocation: Leslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology.
- Stetzer, Ed. Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply.
- Newbigin, Leslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society.
- Van Engen, Charles. Transforming Mission Theology.
- Wright, Christopher J.H.. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative.
- Bosch, David. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission.
- Hooker, Paul. “What is Missional Ecclesiology?”
Theology for the People 
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