Network Church

Andy Lord, Ph.D. (2010) in Theology, University of Birmingham, is Senior Minister of three churches in Nottingham, UK. He has published in pentecostalism, mission and ecclesiology including Spirit-Shaped Mission (Paternoster, 2005).

"Andy Lord has provided a very impressive contribution towards Pentecostal ecclesiology, one which is trinitarian, catholic and contextual. Using a distinctly Pentecostal theological method, he has provided an important model that can be used in dialogue with other approaches and Christian traditions. This book is a 'must read' for students and scholars of Pentecostal and Charismatic theology in particular and ecclesiology more generally." - Dr Mark J. Cartledge, Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies, University of Birmingham, UK"The genius of this volume is an ecclesiological vision informed by pentecostal theological instincts and mission practices that simultaneously engages Christian theologians seeking to rethink the nature, task, and mission of the church in the 21st-century. Andy Lord’s pneumatologically dynamic ‘network church’ provides desperately needed resources for revitalizing ecclesiological reflection and empowering holistic mission in a post-Christendom, post-colonial, and post-denominational world." - Amos Yong, PhD., J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University, School of Divinity"Pentecostalism in the past century has been one of the largest religious movements ever, and has changed the shape of Christianity and of many societies. Andy Lord seeks out its wisdom for all churches in the twenty-first century, and offers an exciting vision of a network church that is Spirit-filled and hospitable, local and global." - David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge"Network Church is a significant contribution to Pentecostal ecclesiology. Its greatest importance lies in Lord's attempt to construct a theology of the church from within Pentecostal sensibilities, history, and methodology. Lord's writing is crisp, and he shows great command of Pentecostal scholarship and ecclesiological debates. [...] Pentecostal church practices will undoubtedly benefit from Lord's proposal. Pentecostal ecclesiology can find in this book a significant model for dialogue among the various Pentecostal voices and with other Christian traditions. The ecumenical community can benefit from both Lord's skills of synthesizing Pentecostal theology and from his systematic methodology. Among the few ecclesiological proposals from Pentecostals that exist today, this ecclesiology shaped by mission will undoubtedly assume a central place." - Wolfgang Vondey, Regent University School of Divinity

• Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION1.1Pentecostal Identity1.2Importance of Mission1.3Systematic Theology1.3.1Systematic Theology as a Mix of Conversations1.3.2Issues in Ecclesiology1.3.3Pentecostal Systematic Theology1.4SummaryChapter 2: MISSION AND METHODOLOGY2.1The Church in Mission2.2Introduction to the Methodology of Amos Yong2.3Spirit-driven and Trinitarian Methodology2.4Metaphysical Foundations2.5Methodology Revisited2.6Critical Reflections on the Methodology2.7Methodology for this Project2.8SummaryChapter 3: PENTECOSTAL ECCLESIOLOGY3.1Early Pentecostal Ecclesiology3.2Contemporary Pentecostal Ecclesiologies3.2.1Steven Land3.2.2Clark Pinnock3.2.3Miroslav Volf3.2.4Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen3.2.5Amos Yong3.2.6Simon Chan3.2.7Frank Macchia3.2.8Other Pentecostal Scholars3.3Evaluation of Pentecostal Ecclesiology3.3.1Experience of the Spirit3.3.2Rooted in the Scriptures3.3.3Engaging with the Theological Community3.4SummaryChapter 4: TRINITARIAN NETWORK CHURCH4.1Discerning Networks in Practice4.1.1Pentecostal Experience of Networks4.1.2Basic Understanding of Networks4.2Networks in the Early Church4.2.1Paul and the Formation of Networks4.2.2Multiple Connected Networks4.2.3Networks in Church and World4.3Trinitarian Ecclesiology and Mission4.3.1Latin and Social Trinitarianism4.3.2Trinitarian Thinking and Mission/Structures4.3.3Pentecostal Trinitarian Model4.3.4The Trinity and the World4.4Network Summary4.5SummaryChapter 5: NETWORK CATHOLICITY5.1Catholicity and Unity5.2Catholicity of Shared Ecclesial Essence5.2.1Trinitarian Essence5.2.2Sacramental Events5.3Church marked by Spirit Baptism5.4Movements towards Unity5.5SummaryChapter 6: NETWORK PARTNERSHIP6.1Discerning the Spirit in Movements of Partnership6.1.1Partnership within Pentecostalism6.1.2Partnership within the Ecumenical Movement6.1.3Discerning Partnership6.2Biblical Partnership6.3Partnership Networks6.4SummaryChapter 7: ENGAGING THE WORLD7.1Mission and Contextualisation7.2Pentecostal World Engagement7.2.1Pentecostal Experience of the World7.2.2The Narrative of Acts and the World7.2.3Pentecostal Ecclesiology and the World7.2.4Discernment and Mission7.3Issues of Power and Place7.4Practice of Contextualisation7.4.1Pentecostal Hospitality7.4.2Trialectic of Contextualisation7.5SummaryChapter 8: CONCLUSION8.1Pentecostal Studies8.2Mission Studies8.3Systematic Theology8.4Biblical Studies8.5Church Practice8.6ConclusionBIBLIOGRAPHY