Starting Missional Churches

All mission is local?the people of God joining the work of God in a particular place. In Starting Missional Churches Mark Lau Branson and Nicholas Warnes introduce us to seven missional churches while examining common challenges regarding their genesis. Using stories, interviews with pastors and a look at common preconceived notions of church planting in the West, this guide brings together resources of the missional church conversation with the creativity and energy of those who are experimenting with diverse planting activities and practices across the country.Curated by a pastor and a professor, this work highlights diverse modern examples of congregations focused on reaching their communities with a missional mindset. Learn from these stories how to build a vibrant, engaging church-one that generates redemptive witness in our neighborhoods and in our world.

Nick is the organizing pastor of Northland Village Church in Los Angeles, California, and loves to spend his extra time supporting others to start new churches. He does this as a coach and church planting assessor for the Presbyterian Church USA, a coach and trainer for Bridges, a nonprofit focused on creating Christ-following communities in Southern California and as a co-creator of a regular cohort for people discerning church planting. Nick also sits on the board of Bridges and is a teacher and advisor for the Fuller Theological Seminary Church Planting Certificate. Mark Lau Branson (MA, Claremont School of Theology; EdD, University of San Francisco) is the Homer L. Goddard Professor of the Ministry of the Laity at Fuller Theological Seminary where he teaches courses on congregational leadership and community engagement. He is the author of Memories, Hopes and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change.