The Starter's Way

“The genius of this book is that it combines the best thinking about church planting from the UK with the lived experience of diverse leaders in the US. The result is an ‘innovation ecosystem’ that combines ‘spiritual foundations, inward qualities, and outward practices.’ This is the next step in church planting.” * Scott Cormode, Hugh De Pree Professor of Leadership Development, Fuller Seminary *“The Starter’s Way gives those of us who have been exhausted by Sunday-centric ecclesiology a holistic approach to the hard work of contextual ministry. The expertise of the community of writers creates a fresh environment to dive into the rigors and disciplines necessary for faithful innovation in today’s rapidly changing world.“  * Nick Warnes, Executive Director of Cyclical INC *“Around the world, the Spirit of God is leading teams of people to start new contextual worshipping communities for the reaching of new people groups and the renewal of the Church. This essential book is not so much about what we need to do to start new churches but who we need to be. I recommend it wholeheartedly.” * Stephen Hance, Dean of Toronto Cathedral, Canada *“What is fundamental when starting contextualized new Christian communities? It is all about being before doing, it’s about inward qualities and then about skills, it’s about character and heart and then about steps. The authors take you on a journey to ground your missional practices in fundamental qualities of being. So the Starter’s Way is first about the Starter’s Being—focusing on your heart, your longings, your character. That’s where mission begins, with one’s self—what a great book!” * Patrick Todjeras, PhD, Director of the Institute for the Research of Mission and Church and Head of the Department for Evangelism and Church Development in the Protestant Church in Austria *“The Starter’s Way isn’t a how-to manual for launching programs—it’s a guide to cultivating the inward and outward postures that make authentic, contextual, and lasting Christian community possible. Through the voices of diverse practitioners, this book encourages a soulful orientation that will ground any Fresh Expression effort in spiritual depth, compassionate presence, and Spirit-led love.” * Shannon Kiser, Senior Director, Fresh Expressions North America *“A refreshing shift in the discernment framework for identifying and developing church starters, rooted in spiritual depth, embodied character, and adaptive practice. This book moves the conversation forward and offers real stories from the field. A timely resource for both legacy denominations and edge-pushing networks and movements.” * JR Woodward, National Director, V3 Movement, author of The Scandal of Leadership, and co-author of The Church as Movement *

“In a World where we are all called to be missionaries there are diamonds here formed in the pressure of contextual reality and God’s calling. This distillation and reflection based upon 20 + years of ‘living’ contextual mission rather than talking about it is most welcome. The multi-voiced, multi-cultural and multi-contexed brings a richness to the conversation which is vital for incarnational learning. There are many nuggets of wisdom, alongside vulnerabilities and real stories of hope and challenge.”

Ed Olsworth-Peter is the Director of Innovation and Development at St. Mellitus where he teaches topics on mixed ecology, pioneer ministry, and ministry discernment. He was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 2004. He was the National Advisor for Pioneer Development for the Church of England. Ed lives in London, UK.

Dwight J. Zscheile is a professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary. His books include Leading Faithful Innovation (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff), Participating in God’s Mission (with Craig Van Gelder), The Agile Church, People of the Way, Cultivating Sent Communities, The Missional Church in Perspective (with Craig Van Gelder), Embracing the Mixed Ecology (with Blair Pogue), and The Starter’s Way (with Edward Olsworth-Peter). He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.