Great thoughts from Reclaiming the Mission about church planting and ministry in America:

Church in post-Christendom therefore is nothing less than a chosen way of life. It is choosing a way of being together. This way of being together encompasses how we worship, how we share and eat food, how we pool together resourses to help the poor, how we get together and hear Scriptures read and teach our children how to listen for God in that. Forgiveness, patience, care, speaking truth in love, is part of this way of being together. In this way of living, career and making money is more about taking care of one another and giving glory to God than personal aspiration. And God inhabits this way of being so that miracles, blessings, sustaining times in life and death become a part of everyday life. Mission becomes our rhythym. (sp)

I find it ironic how statements like these, while reflecting a post-modern, post-Christendom thought, truly are a historic, early Christian idea. "Choosing a way of being together." Acts chapter 2 shows how the early Christians did this, "And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

It's no secret that the Ancient Future idea, pushed by the likes of Webber, is more prevalent than many understand. A rediscovery of the liturgy, the daily office, and other early church practices being combined with more modern forms of worship is birthing a whole new generation of missional Christians. I just hope that more are less concerned about building a successful church and more concerned about building the Kingdom of God.