Episode 413 - Book Review - The Present Future by Reggie McNeal

The Present Future is broken down into six “New Realities” that all reiterate the fact that “the present makes clearest sense in light of the future.” [5] The past 500 years have predominantly perpetuated the idea that we are headed toward the future when the reality is the future is headed toward us (the Church). On repeat, the book alludes to the fact that the Church is primarily a means to an end; that is a kingdom end. In Genesis, there was no Church and when the New Heaven and New Earth are ushered in, the Church does not exist. McNeal appropriately concludes that it must be a means to a kingdom-end. Thus, the kingdom culture is preeminent to the Church. The books strategic objective serves as a “polemical volume,” which galvanizes church leaders “to action before it’s too late.”[6] McNeal is clear in stating a tactical objective as well: “My goal is to provoke and to frame conversations that lead to action, to risk, to rediscovery of mission.”[7] “Provoke” and “galvanize” are great descriptions of what McNeal does. He gives his readers an “out” at the outset of the book: “me do not read this book if you are looking to bolster your opinion that the way to the future is charted through the past… if you fit any (or all) of these categories, take my advice and don't read this book. It will just agitate you.”[8] The major themes throughout this book are the overemphasis of Church culture and the comeback of kingdom focus. The first Reformation focused on setting the Church free from (corrupt) people whereas this New Reformation is focused on setting the people free from (what has become) the Church/institution. Basically, out with the old and in with the new. We’ve been building up the Church for 500 years now let’s get with Jesus plan of preaching the good news of the Kingdom! The gospel of the kingdom is about proclaiming the prison doors have been unlocked. A kingdom culture prevents the church from being competitors with one another. With a kingdom mindset, we become “one team one fight.” Tweetable Quotes “As he hung on the cross Jesus probably never thought the impact of this sacrifice would be reduced two an invitation for people to join and support an institution.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 1. “The Church needs a mission fix.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 10. “…deliverance is not just from something but to something.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 13. “Street Church where people are already hanging out. We need a church in every mall, every Walmart SuperCenter, every Barnes& Noble.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 35. "The power of the gospel lost on church members who can sign off on doctoral positions but have no story of personal transformation” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 36. “The first Reformation was about freeing Church. The new reformation is about creating gods people from the church (the institution).” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 43. “The test for orthodoxy typically focuses on doctrinal stances, not character in spiritual connectedness to God and others.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 55. “To live abundantly is To borrow the future into the present.” @ReggieMcNeal #ThePresentFuture Page 73.