Author Archives: Martin Robinson
Think Tank 2018: An Unfolding Journal
A few months ago, I took some time to review the last ten editions of the Journal, beginning with our launch at the House of Lords in 2013. At the time of the launch we had two concerns in mind. One related to content and the other to the technical issues that surrounded an on-line Journal.
Editorial: Westernised Europeans and their Localities
Earlier this year I was giving a talk on evangelism to a group of European leaders, most of whom were students. One of the points in my presentation was the rediscovery of the local, of communities and of churches who were attempting to reconnect with their neighbourhood. We entered into a fascinating debate but there was one comment that caught my attention in a very acute way. Someone from Vienna questioned the contention that there was any longer such a thing as community in the local...
In the Shadow of the Twisted Spire – Taking Reverse Mission Seriously
Although Pastor Toyin is a Nigerian and her congregation is part of a Nigerian denomination, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, interestingly the smallest national African group within the church is drawn from Nigeria. The white English community represents the single largest group. There are other white migrants present from various European nations and from commonwealth countries such as Australia. It’s an intriguing and remarkable mix. How did this come about?
Visiting Bonny Downs
‘Stability may be the virtue that 21st-century Christians most ignore–and the virtue we are most called to embrace.’[1] The notion and discipline of remaining in a place is a centuries old tradition within the Christian faith. It has found numerous...
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The Editorial Think Tank: A Reflection on Two Meetings
The Journal of Missional Practice was born out of a common interest in the work of Lesslie Newbigin, the attempt of the Gospel and Our Culture programme to produce a wider debate about mission in the West, and the subsequent development of what has become known as ‘the missional conversation’. To help the Journal frame those concerns the principle participants have been joined each year by some additional friends and colleagues who together form an editorial Think Tank that offers both a critical and a constructive edge…
Context and Community – Editorial
Over the last few days, I have been re-reading Lesslie Newbigin’s book, Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt and Certainty in Christian Discipleship. The book has prompted a memory of Newbigin’s lectures decades ago, when I heard these huge themes opened up...
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A Rapid response to ‘Dislocated’, Chapter 1 from The New Parish by Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens and Dwight J Friesen
A few years ago, in the very early days of social media, I attended an impressive presentation from a pioneer in this field. As part of the presentation he invited subjects for debate from the audience and then presented these...
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Book Review: Faith in the Public Square by Rowan Williams
One of the accusations constantly made against Rowan Williams is that his communication often sacrifices clarity for depth and exactitude. That accusation cannot be laid against his latest book. The press seemed to suggest that we were going to receive...
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Book Review: Church Growth in Britain: 1980 to the Present, edited by David Goodhew
One of the commendations for this book says, ‘I have been waiting for someone to write this book.’ I would almost echo that sentiment. There is certainly a need for books on this topic. This book almost meets the need....
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Book Review: The Witness of God: The Trinity, Missio Dei, Karl Barth and the Nature of the Christian Community, by John G Flett
This is not a book for the faint hearted. It is at points highly technical and constructs a very complex and detailed set of arguments. In addition, it would seem at first glance to be dealing with issues that for...
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