--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because we believe that somewhere in the…" description: "\"Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms contained in the phrase \"missional church\" lies nothing less that the future viability of We..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png" --- # Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms… ![“Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms contained in the phrase "missional church" lies nothing less that the future viability of Western Christianity.” quote by Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png) > “Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms contained in the phrase "missional church" lies nothing less that the future viability of Western Christianity.” [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The phrase 'missional church' is seen as a key factor for the future health of Western Christianity. **In simple terms:** Missional church may determine Western Christianity's future. Key Takeaway Missional identity influences church viability. Themes theology church growth Western Christianity missionalism Mood thoughtful concerned Type theological insight strategic observation When to use this quote - church leadership planning - seminary curriculum design - denominational conferences Key Concepts cultural relevance mission strategy Practical Applications - Reevaluate mission statements - Align outreach with missional principles Questions to Reflect On - How does missional focus reshape congregational life? - What other forces threaten Western Christianity? A Different Perspective The claim may overstate a single concept's impact, ignoring socioeconomic and political factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Missional church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missional-church/) [Paradigm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradigm/) [Paradigms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradigms/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) ## Related quotes > [In missional churches, the baby birds have been pushed out of the nest and are learning to fly for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/in-missional-churches-the-baby-birds-have-been-pushed-out-of-the-nest/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“So a working definition of missional church is a community of God's people that defines itself, and organizes its life around, its real purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/so-a-working-definition-of-missional-church-is-a-community-of-god-s/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [A missional church is a church that must live the dialectic. It must stay in the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/a-missional-church-is-a-church-that-must-live-the-dialectic-it-must/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [The missional church is not a new trend or the latest new technique for reaching postmodern people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/the-missional-church-is-not-a-new-trend-or-the-latest-new-technique/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Instead of a 'Western Christianity,' we now witness a post-Christian West (in Europe) and a post-Western Christianity (in the global South). America is somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-cox/instead-of-a-western-christianity-we-now-witness-a-post-christian/) [Harvey Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-cox/) > [As for the status of Western Christianity, we are in a place where our task is to redefine the primary symbols of our faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/as-for-the-status-of-western-christianity-we-are-in-a-place-where-our/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [“Most Western Christians—and most Western non-Christians, for that matter—in fact suppose that Christianity was committed to at least a soft version of Plato’s position.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/most-western-christians-and-most-western-non-christians-for-that/) [N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) > [No civilisation, not even that of ancient Greece, has ever undergone such a continuous and profound process of change as Western Europe has done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dawson/no-civilisation-not-even-that-of-ancient-greece-has-ever-undergone/) [Christopher Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dawson/) > [“This study is written with the conviction that our fundamental need in Western Christianity is to repent of our low and unworthy views of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-snyder/this-study-is-written-with-the-conviction-that-our-fundamental-need/) [John Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-snyder/) > [“While we may lament the loss we experience in Western Christianity, we should acknowledge that it may be God’s will that oppressive Western systems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soong-chan-rah/while-we-may-lament-the-loss-we-experience-in-western-christianity-we/) [Soong-Chan Rah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soong-chan-rah/) > [“The population dominance of Western Christianity has already come to an end. Western cultural captivity and dominance as an epoch of church history is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soong-chan-rah/the-population-dominance-of-western-christianity-has-already-come-to/) [Soong-Chan Rah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soong-chan-rah/) > [My mother converted when I was 16. She was the driving force behind religion in our family. So, I'm sure I was heavily influenced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-douthat/my-mother-converted-when-i-was-16-she-was-the-driving-force-behind/) [Ross Douthat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-douthat/) > [I consider Western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ's Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-consider-western-christianity-in-its-practical-working-a-negation/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It will place a high value on communal life, more open leadership structures, and the contribution of all the people of God. It will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-frost/it-will-place-a-high-value-on-communal-life-more-open-leadership/) [Michael Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-frost/) > [Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/go-therefore-and-make-disciples-of-all-the-nations/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) ## More by Alan Hirsch > [If we are going to make the change from community to communitas, and not just end up with an unsustainable adrenaline-junkie culture, we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/if-we-are-going-to-make-the-change-from-community-to-communitas-and/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [A retreatist spirituality is not a spirituality that can, or will, transform the world in Jesus's name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/a-retreatist-spirituality-is-not-a-spirituality-that-can-or-will/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Go among the people. Don't assume you know what church looks like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/go-among-the-people-don-t-assume-you-know-what-church-looks-like/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“I have come to believe that the major threat to the viability of our faith is that of consumerism. This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/i-have-come-to-believe-that-the-major-threat-to-the-viability-of-our/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Christianity is an adventure of the spirit or it is not Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/christianity-is-an-adventure-of-the-spirit-or-it-is-not-christianity/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [The fact is that if Jesus's future kingdom is secure, those who trust in its coming will enact it now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/the-fact-is-that-if-jesus-s-future-kingdom-is-secure-those-who-trust/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Those of us with too much invested in the way things are will never embrace the revolutionary cause required for wholesale change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/those-of-us-with-too-much-invested-in-the-way-things-are-will-never/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“All apostolic ministry in some sense involves this return to the founding message as well as purpose. The missional task that follows is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/all-apostolic-ministry-in-some-sense-involves-this-return-to-the/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Every Christian is a sent one. There is no such thing as an unsent Christian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/every-christian-is-a-sent-one-there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-unsent/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Heroes are important not only because they symbolize what we believe to be important, but because they also convey universal truths about personal self-discovery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/heroes-are-important-not-only-because-they-symbolize-what-we-believe/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [There's no such thing as an unsent Christian. You have already been SENT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/there-s-no-such-thing-as-an-unsent-christian-you-have-already-been/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [It's not so much that the church has a mission, it's that the mission of God has a church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/it-s-not-so-much-that-the-church-has-a-mission-it-s-that-the-mission/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Being the church that Jesus intended means that we must participate in God’s eternal purposes for his world. Renewal means more than reinventing ourselves;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/being-the-church-that-jesus-intended-means-that-we-must-participate/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“How did we ever get to believe that faithfulness involved simply retaining past forms and thinking? With the Creator God as our Father, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/how-did-we-ever-get-to-believe-that-faithfulness-involved-simply/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [Whether we like it or not, we are all on a journey, a Quest if you will, every day of our lives, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/whether-we-like-it-or-not-we-are-all-on-a-journey-a-quest-if-you-will/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) [Explore all 79 Alan Hirsch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms contained in the phrase \"missional church\" lies nothing less that the future viability of Western Christianity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alan Hirsch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the-nest-of-paradigms-contained/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the-nest-of-paradigms-contained/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/alan-hirsch-8667_believe_because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the_97556.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Because we believe that somewhere in the nest of paradigms contained in the phrase \"missional church\" lies…” — Alan Hirsch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alan Hirsch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Because we believe that somewhere in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the-nest-of-paradigms-contained/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/because-we-believe-that-somewhere-in-the-nest-of-paradigms-contained/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```