If chapter 3 is the theological foundation for the book, chapter 4 is the strategic foundation set strongly in the context of a critique of culture. One famous writer on culture defines the western worldview as a "market worldview." Others have noted that the market has finally trumped even the nation state (Fukuyama). Hamilton and Dennis point out that while we have more than ever we are unhappier than ever (Affluenza).

In spite of all this, it is consumer culture that shapes and forms us, much more than the gospel. Some of this shaping is profoundly subversive. Alan points to shows like Extreme Makeover and even Extreme Home Makeover. These shows invite us to anchor our hope in a material deliverance. The thing that will complete us is... a new home, a new kitchen, a new car, a new.. church? We are invited to live for the moment rather than for the city we have not seen.

But I'm moving too quickly here. The chapter is on "discipleship," which some of us might reframe as "formation." What forms us, and to what end? Alan's argument is that discipleship and formation form the backbone of a dynamic movement. Apart from discipleship, we won't be the kind of people who can live in an alternative way and thus point to an alternative kingdom under a sovereign Lord. Apart from formation, we don't have leaders who model a different way of being and who live from a different center. Alan notes that we have lost the art of disciple making for three reasons:

* we reduced discipleship to the assimilation of ideas
* the impact of cultural Christianity (privatism, individualism, false gods)
* the phenomenon of consumerism (mammon, comfort, false gods)
Alan notes that the wild growth of Christianity occurred when it was precisely NOT seeker friendly, and he quotes Neil Cole of CMA: "we articulated this profound goal: we want to lower the bar of how church is done, and raise the bar of what it means to be a disciple."

Next Alan moves into a discussion of the cultural context of the consumerist worldview. He states categorically that the largest challenge to the recovery of a missional movement is not Buddhism, the New Age, or Islam.. but consumerism. "If the role of religion is to offer identity, purpose, meaning, community.. then consumerism meets all these criteria." (107) Most ads appeal to one or more of these religious dimensions. Douglas Rushkoff in his PBS documentary on consumerism, The Persuaders, (the full video is available online), noted that marketers have co-opted the language of religion because religion offers the ultimate object of desire. Alan then does a brief historical review to demonstrate how religion was privatized and separated out from common life (108). As a result of secularization life itself became commodified, and finally Christian spirituality has come to reflect consumerization. Through the influence of church growth thinking and the market culture consumerism became the driving ideology of the church's ministry, and the medium has now overwhelmed the message. This section reminds me of similar reflections by David Fitch in The Great Giveaway (ch 4 page 95ff "The Production of Experience")

The conclusion? We cannot consume our way into discipleship. We have two options: attempt to redeem the rhythms of consumption, or offer a clear alternative. Alan argues that the latter must be attempted. I agree strongly. We have to embrace alternative practices.. not merely alternative thinking which would reinforce our Greek mindset and leave us .. and our world.. unchallenged and unchanged. Only by intention and attention to something else can we be formed in new ways. He notes that new monastic orders are a serious attempt to deal with our context and he references Rutba House.

Next Alan references the modus of this movement, which is "to be conformed to the image of Jesus." Formation has a telos.. a purpose and an end.. even in this it is counter cultural. Our means is really union with Christ, and the end is the same. As we embody Jesus by His Spirit we will make the Father known (my Trinitarian plug here). Embodiment mirrors incarnation theologically. We continue the incarnation in our flesh.. this is what it means to be the BODY of Christ in the world. Ultimately, and profoundly, the medium is the message. As Jim Wallis wrote, "the only way to propagate a message is to live it." And as Buber wrote, "we must become the teaching."

In the closing pages of this sweeping chapter, Alan holds the lamp to leadership. He argues for "inspirational leadership" and references Gandhi, Martin Luther King. In other places he mentions Mother Teresa. He could have added Vaclev Havel and Nelson Mandela. These men and women led not because they were skilled, or brilliant, though some were, but rather because of a passion that led them to make sacrifices for a dream that was larger than they were. Finally authority (Gr. exousia) is something that comes out of oneself. Alan notes that knowledge alone does not make leaders, unless they are maintenance leaders. What we need are missional leaders. We need more than a change of thinking. He quotes Rohr, "we can't think ourselves into a new way of living; we must live ourselves into a new way of thinking." Jesus own model for discipleship involved intention and action; it was built around mission.

*Parts 5 and 6 coming next week*


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