Todd Engstrom

Author: Todd Engstrom

  • What is a Missional Community? – On Mission with God

    This is the third installment in the series “What is a Missional Community?”  We have defined a missional community as: A community of Christ followers on mission with God in obedience to the Holy Spirit that demonstrates tangibly and declares creatively the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a specific pocket of people. —– When we…

  • Interview on Discipleship with Eric Geiger

    My friend Eric Geiger interviewed me on his blog on the topic of discipleship recently.  Below is an excerpt: Discipleship is meeting someone where they are, and taking them where Jesus wants them to go. This definition has served for me as a fundamental axiom in discipleship, in leadership development, and in organizational leadership. The…

  • What is a Missional Community? – Definition

    Over the next two weeks, I’ll be unpacking how we define missional communities at The Austin Stone.  See the previous posts here: Part 1 – Other’s Definitions of Missional Community Part 2 – A Vision for Missional Community —– Our vision sets the stage for us to talk more about a missional community. We are often…

  • What is a Missional Community? – Vision

    Over the next two weeks, I’ll be unpacking how we define missional communities at The Austin Stone. —– Like many churches, The Austin Stone has a very clear vision of what we believe God has called us to.  We phrase our vision this way: To be a New Testament church existing for the supremacy of…

  • What is a Missional Community? – Other Definitions

    When others interact with an idea, it provides clarity on your own thinking.  Below are some ways that other movements around the country would define missional communities.  I have learned from each one of them: Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities Neil Cole of CMA Associates Mike Breen of 3DM Ministries Logan Gentry of Apostles Church…

  • What is a Missional Community?

    In a previous series, I worked through the primary reasons we pursue missional communities at The Austin Stone. Whether you’re new to the idea of missional communities, or have been implementing them for a long time, I’d love to start some dialogue around what they actually are.  Is a missional community something new, or just a…

  • Consumerism and Community

    Consumers, simply speaking, are people who purchase goods and services to meet a perceived need. In the most basic of forms, consumption is necessary to human existence. Each and every one of us is a consumer of something. But what happens when consumption goes from necessity to pleasure, from provision to identity? Consumerism. Our American economic ingenuity…

  • A Pragmatic Reason for Missional Communities

    Although there are a number of reasons why we have chosen to implement missional communities at The Austin Stone, there are a few critical reasons I want to highlight in this series of posts.  First was a Theological Reason. Second is a Philosophical Reason. Third is: A Pragmatic Reason for Missional Communities As a church, we believe…

  • A Philosophical Reason for Missional Communities

    Although there are a number of reasons why we have chosen to implement missional communities at The Austin Stone, there are a few critical reasons I want to highlight in this series of posts.  First was a Theological Reason. Second is: A Philosophical Reason for Missional Communities Philosophy of ministry is the direct application of…

  • Being a Disciple

    The 2013 Verge Conference was themed around Discipleship, and has given me plenty to think about. As my family has grown and our church has continued to grow, my time is increasingly spoken for. It seems like there is always a person or a task that needs immediate attention. I’ve been convicted about the necessity…

  • A Theological Reason for Missional Communities

    Although there are a number of reasons why we have chosen to implement missional communities at The Austin Stone, there are a few critical reasons I want to highlight in this series of posts.  First: A Theological Reason for Missional Communities There are several theological works that have been written to date on missional community…

  • Reasons for Missional Community

    Although there are a number of reasons why we have chosen to implement missional communities at The Austin Stone, there are a few critical reasons I want to highlight in an upcoming series of posts: A Theological Reason – The Community Apologetic A Philosophical Reason – Discipleship in a Consumer Culture A Pragmatic Reason –…