Things Fall Apart?

This book calls for a major paradigm shift in the church's thinking and practice if the church is to engage with the upcoming generations of the third decade of this fast-changing twenty-first century. Just as the church has had to adapt to a changing context in the past, it now needs to engage seriously with this post-enlightenment, post-human, techno-centric age of artificial intelligence. However, the church also needs to recall its counter-cultural, prophetic role, following Elijah, Jeremiah, Amos, Jesus, and Paul, challenging society as it faces complex dilemmas raised by technology-driven development in these unprecedented times. The church will have to acknowledge unaddressed weaknesses in the past: of identifying with established power rather than vulnerability and the marginalized; of depending on a hierarchical, ministerial order at the expense of the ministry of every believer; of acquiescing to materialist, anthropocentric, and consumerist growth as an undisputable norm. This book develops the vision of a church engaged in the mission of God: of welcoming technological development but with an eye on kingdom values; of promoting innovation, so long as it does not result in a growth of inequality, or at the expense of the environment; of pointing towards a humanity that deepens its relationships with its Creator, its fellow humans, and its environment. The author calls on grassroots believers to reflect and act, within their local communities, as inspired and empowered daughters and sons of God, in the knowledge that following Jesus Christ provides a radical new paradigm for living, learning and leading, in and through these times of epochal change.

Michael Paget-Wilkes was ordained, serving in Wandsworth, New Cross, Rugby, and South Warwickshire, after working in Rural Development in Tanzania. Combining these professions, he consulted in relief and development for aid agencies and the Anglican Churches of Sudan/South Sudan. Committed to contextual Christian witness in areas of endemic need, Michael believes the Christian faith can contribute counter-culturally to emerging society in the third decade.
Michael is married to Gillian, with three children and ten grandchildren.