Scattering Church: Effective Mission in the Post-Institutional World

What might church look like if, rather than being a controlled, institutional garden, it was a radically decentralized weed?

Scattering Church explains why the traditional church structure is increasingly viewed as irrelevant not only by society at large but even by many people of faith. In a world that is socially mobile, digital, postmodern and increasingly post-institutional, we cannot expect the traditional model of the gathered church be effective.

If you are enamored by Jesus but disillusioned with the rigidity and control of institutions, Scattering Church describes an alternative: a church that consciously forsakes control in order to build a kingdom that enables human flourishing. This book weaves together seven core features of a non-institutional church that takes seriously the Biblical metaphor of scattering, and describes numerous examples of what that would look like in practice.

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"From his insightful discussion of metaphors to his exploration of the church as a weed, from his thoughtful reflections on contemporary postmodern culture to his profound engagement with biblical texts, Matthew Clarke offers us a desperately needed gift: a vision of the church that casts off heavy baggage and scatters across the world spreading freedom and aliveness. More and more of us know that the days of the church as it has been are numbered; Matthew helps us imagine the church as it could be. If you’re like me, you’ll feel new hope, new motivation, and new creativity building through each chapter."
—Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker/activist

"Around the world we sitting on the cusp of massive change, [which] affects faith and … the way we think and act about being church. Matthew Clarke has picked up what so many people are sensing … and once more offers the invitation to risk the exodus to a new promised future."

—Fuzz Kitto, Co-Director at Spirited Consulting and National Co-coordinator of Be Slavery Free

"Matthew confronts those of us who really care about the role of the church with the challenge of completely turning the church as we know it upside down and inside out."
—Dave Andrews, Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, and community worker

"One of these days, when our dying church has been resurrected and looks very different than it does today, someone will say that Matthew Clarke saw it all coming--and even took it for an early test run."
—Rev. Dr. Robin R. Meyers, Senior Minister, Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, and author

"This book is timely … We need to rethink ‘church’ strategically and Matt’s book gives us language to do just that. He offers a paradigm shift … following what smart organizations always do – go back to your purpose and rethink your vision."
—Dr Tony Golsby-Smith, organizational strategist and co-founder of Gospel Conversations

Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker/activist

From his insightful discussion of metaphors to his exploration of the church as a weed, from his thoughtful reflections on contemporary postmodern culture to his profound engagement with biblical texts, Matthew Clarke offers us a desperately needed gift: a vision of the church that casts off heavy baggage and scatters across the world spreading freedom and aliveness. More and more of us know that the days of the church as it has been are numbered; Matthew helps us imagine the church as it could be. If you're like me, you'll feel new hope, new motivation, and new creativity building through each chapter.

Fuzz Kitto, Co-Director at Spirited Consulting and National Co-coordinator of Be Slavery Free

Around the world we sitting on the cusp of massive change. Thus, as always, this affects faith and expressions of faith. Theologies change, as Walter Brueggemann said to us in a conversation "Theology is thinking and responding to God and the world. God might be consistent but the world/context changes." So does the way we think and act about being church. Matthew Clarke has picked up what so many people are sensing about these changes and offers fresh ways to think and act - and once more offers the invitation to risk the exodus to a new promised future.

Dave Andrews, Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, and community worker

The very title Scattering Church suggests that Matthew Clarke's new book takes a very different view to the traditional view of the church. Matthew confronts those of us who really care about the role of the church with the challenge of completely turning the church as we know it upside down and inside out.

Rev. Dr Robin R. Meyers, Senior Minister, Mayflower UCC Church, Oklahoma City, Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, Oklahoma City University, author of "Saving God from Religion: A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age."

One of these days, when our dying church has been resurrected and looks very different than it does today, someone will say that Matthew Clarke saw it all coming--and even took it for an early test run. In language that is simple, vivid, personal, and theological astute, Clarke imagines churches that are scattered instead of gathered, fundamentally decentralized and subversive, divesting their power to the margins. The hour is coming, and now is, when stained glass and by-laws will be no match for table talk with loved ones who share a vision of the kingdom. Read this book, and then scatter as many copies as you can across this weary world.

Dr Tony Golsby-Smith, organisational strategist and co-founder of Gospel Conversations

This book is timely. Today the 'church' is an institution under threat and more and more Christians are leaving it or enduring it. We need to rethink 'church' strategically - and Matt's book gives us language to do just that. He offers a paradigm shift by moving metaphors from 'assembly' to 'scattering'. In so doing, he is following what smart organisations always do - go back to your purpose and rethink your vision. He wisely does not offer trite solutions for us. Rather he opens the doors of our mind to help us find new answers that will suit our local situations.