Five years of missional church : reflections on missional ecclesiology

Abstract

This article explores insights into the emerging missional ecclesiology of twelve congregations collaborating in the South African Partnership for Missional Churches (SAPMC). A brief description of the vision, the understanding of the missional church, and the theological background of the SAPMC is followed by an appreciative-inquiry investigation into the partnership and congregations. The article describes a process of participatory action research into the five-year long missional journey of twelve South African congregations. The findings are discussed within the framework of four themes: practices, movements, attitudes and innovations. The article concludes with the contribution of these findings towards formulating an emerging missional ecclesiology.