Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I understand why some reviewers prefer the first half of the book to the second. And I too wonder whether Michael Frost gets a little too prescriptive in some of his second-half pronouncements.

Here's why I forgive and welcome those pronouncements:

First of all, he's made it clear enough in the earlier pages that we're not to use his opinions and guidelines as a substitute for the work of making our own.

Second, the issues he lists are not "liberal talking points," but concrete examples of applied discipleship. We may very well come to different conclusions, but at least we are watching someone try to say what being an exile means with very concrete examples. We wouldn't disagree (or agree, as I often do) if we didn't have some raw material to work with. For example, I think that his critique of the corporation is valid and worth considering by Christians who are active in the business world. Such Christians might be able to offer a good corrective to Frost's critique, but where else would they have even read such a critique (aka an invitation to dialogue) from an evangelical source?

I think his comments on the exaggerated importance of the weekly gathering, and on the vapidity (to put it charitably) of much praise music goes a little over the top. But I'm a grown-up; I can handle a passionate commentary, agree with some of it and disagree with the rest.

To those who haven't read the book yet: I highly recommend it, in part as a good extended sermon, and in part as a catalog of neglected dimensions of discipleship, some elements of which will resonate with you more than others. (The chapter on environmental stewardship is a more comprehensive summary of the issues involved than I've seen in other evangelical sources.) The "catalog" aspect is argumentative, as others have noted, and somewhat slow going, but every topic is worth considering, even if not all at once. I deeply respect the author's effort to make these real-life dilemmas of authentic discipleship accessible to his readership; the problem isn't what he says, it's how to keep the conversation going, with urgency and affection and honest conflict, beyond the fixed covers of just one book.

I read this book after being involved in an emerging church full of exiles. There's so much I recognise and agree with in this book, which I think accurately portrays the feelings, reasoning, and practical implications of those who are rejecting the current church.

My one criticism of this book is that it seemed to be so angry - not just passionate - and very hard-line. The arguments and experiences need to be heard, but you can't continue to build a church on your anger toward what you define yourself against. I think Mike's disdain for pastoral care of the hurting also assumes that exiles are happy to go from a painful, abusive church to throwing themselves into mission in a victorious, confident experiment, where my experience is that a lot of us want a rest and need to deal with our issues before we inflict our woundedness all over others. I'm not saying we should be the perfect, healed, whole Christian...I'm just aware of how bitter and angry an exile can become.

Michael Frost is a naturally gifted communicator. He is also the Vice Principal at the Baptist College of NSW (Morling College) and there he heads up the Centre for Global Mission and Evangelism. He has written several books before although has come into international prominence through the book he co-authored with Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come.

If you are a thoroughly Christianized church going person (who for example enjoys visits to local Christian bookstores), then maybe this book is not for you. (You probably should read it but I don't want to be the one who made you mad or upset or confused) This is a strong book! But it is a truthful book and a necessary book. I can say and mean with confidence that it will either be your kind of book or it won't - there won't be many people in between!

Frost has written it particularly for those who are trying to follow Jesus but find themselves on the margins of the church or for those who simply tried church and eventually gave up - therefore it is written for many, many people! The book is broken into four sections (Dangerous Memories, Dangerous Promises, Dangerous Criticism, & Dangerous Songs).

The first half of the book is particularly brutal on the traditional, solid church at times but then again it isn't written for that wing of God's people. At times I struggled with his inability to find anything good with the form of church I have been in for most of the past 20 or so years (and I could name worthy things that the church has contributed in areas of justice, local charities, community, youth housing, youth work, family counseling, education, theological education, etc) but this is a prophetic book and the argument and experience of many needs to be heard. Anyway, I sense that these comments are more about helping vocalize the real experiences of many then writing off the whole institution! Frost even says that at one point.

Frost's interest lies with those who want to missionally engage with a Post-Christian world rather then a Christendom past. It is a wholesome, intelligent and challenging read. It calls the reader to follow Jesus with authenticity and relevance and is the fruit of many conversations and experiences by the author in this reality.

If you are an exile then this will generally be one of those books that are a bit like `coming home'. If you are in a solid church and happy with it then you will really, really struggle. You will want to throw it across the room or write all over certain pages in parts. But read on and listen to it. This is a wonderful attempt at hermeneutically reading the idea of the missional church through the lens of Post Christian culture. And that is the order that we should do our theology if we are serious about mission. But it will also explain why some of your friends have left church. And if you are a church leader (like me) then read it if for nothing else as a great guide towards pastoral care for those who leave the church and need to be understood and valued.