The Relational Mission

Over the last few weeks I've been downsizing my library. It's shocking just how little the used bookstore gives for a good book. But I needed to downsize in a big way. With downsizing has come reorganizing. It's remarkable how many small group books I have on my shelves. I think I have enough for seven shelves. And even more shocking thing is that I've read almost all of them. As I sorted them I was reminded of Solomon's words, "There's nothing new under the sun." I wondered if there was anything new that we can really say about groups. It's not like we are going to suddenly discover a magical key that will unlock their power, even though there are quite a few on my shelves that make such claims. As Jim Egli once told me, "If you love God, love others and teach others to love God and others, your group will go places." I'm not sure that those were his exact words but that was his point. Good groups are based in very basic things abou...

I'm not sure an accidental book is possible, but if it is then MissioRelate is just that. I sent it to the publisher this week and as I reflect on it I see just how much it is a serendipity. Some books are intentional. I can envision the end product and I can develop it according to that plan. But this book is just about the polar opposite. Let me list the reasons: 1. I never intended to write this book. I had plans to start working on a couple other projects. However three chapters were deleted from the Missional Small Groups book I did with Baker when we realized that they were targeting a church leadership audience, while MSG targets groups leaders. 2. I shared these three chapters with some pastors and they found them helpful. So I thought it would be good to get them in print. My original idea was to simply give the material away for free but then I pitched the idea of revising The Relational Way and including the chapters in it. Randall Neighbour liked the idea. So I made the...