Power and the Powers: The Use and Abuse of Power in Its Missional Context

Missio Dei by its very nature requires the church to come to terms with the exercise of power both internally and externally as it confronts the world. Tune in to any newscast or glance at the daily newspaper and it immediately becomes clear that the use and abuse of power is a live issue. The more we focus on the twists and turns of current events the more it appears that uncorrupted exercise of power eludes the human race. All too often we become uneasily aware that there are powers lying behind the power that any of us wields whether it is in the family the classroom on the shop floor in the boardroom or in churches. Effective missional leadership involves creative engagement with the powers at work in the world without being debased by them. This book sets out to address the issue of the use and misuse of power from biblical theological and practical perspectives. The authors bring their theological pastoral missionary and personal experience to their task in order to inform challenge and invite readers into a responsible use of the powers that God has put into the hands of each one of us to achieve his purposes in the world. This books scope surprises in its rich array of cited literature (from ancient to postmodern) under a missional canopy. What and how does the power of Jesus Christs gospel confront the powers in their sociopolitical systemic forms and in their personal and/or territorial demonic manifestations? Culture context and worldview are essential in assessment and understanding. The work of these scholars has a solid biblical foundation with a constructive critical edge. Gratis! --Willard M. Swartley Professor Emeritus of New Testament Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary A cross-disciplinary study that effectively interweaves biblical historical theological and cultural perspectives this well-researched and carefully nuanced exploration of various dimensions of power offers helpful pastoral counsel and important missional challenges. --Stuart Murray Williams Urban Expression This book raises key issues for anyone who leads or has authority in a religious context. Attacking the religious abuse of power is easy for outsiders looking in. What makes this book especially valuable is that it comes from people inside the field of missional leadership who are trying to face the problems with honesty and integrity and who offer solutions that are meaningful and useful to those whose business is spreading the gospel. --Andrew Village Professor of Practical and Empirical Theology York St. John University The issue of power its uses and abuses concern about trust and the complex relationship between power the powers and a Christian view of evil are all troubling and disturbing issues. Those in ministry and leadership grapple with these issues but with few maps to guide them. This helpful volume bridges the gap between helpful but inaccessible academic works and the accessible but sometimes superficial popular books on these areas. Thoughtful leaders will find this book an invaluable guide to their reflection on these key leadership issues. --Martin Robinson Principal of ForMission College; author of Metavista: Bible Church and Mission in an Age of Imagination Andrew Hardy is undergraduate course director at ForMission College (UK) and has authored several academic books. Richard Whitehouse is regional network tutor at ForMission College (UK). He is a former church planter and staff member with YWAM Montana. Dan Yarnell is an undergraduate lecturer at ForMission College. He is National Co-ordinator of the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Great Britain and Ireland and has coauthored several academic and popular books.