So... I read The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch for a doctoral class and I nodded my head and thought, "What a great way to view church and the Kingdom of God." You may be familiar with the old idea made new like I was.
And now, Hirsch has moved from "good idea" to "why is this an idea - and a wonderful one, according to sound theology," engaging me in a deeper way. I live with a theologian who delights in "learning about God and talking about him with friends." And this is a conversation that powerfully challenged the notion that there are many gifts and all of them ok - by saying, we need these five to survive and thrive.
What are the 5Qs? Ephesians 4:1-16 tell us that Jesus has gifted his Church with functional gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd (Pastor), and Teacher - or APEST in the book. I kept having to stop and think about the visionary, healing, teaching, renewing, and growing properties of churches I have attended or where I've been on staff.
I hope this is used as a text in pastoral classes. The depth of theology and the practical outworking of those gifts is worth the price of the book. It's in my library for good.
