Centered-Set Church: Discipleship and Community Without Judgmentalism

For many years I used the concept of centered sets and bounded sets to describe the difference between Protestant Christian congregations and denominations who function like an organization – bounded – and those who function like an organism – centered.Ones who are rules and regulations based and ones who are innovative beyond the essentials. Ones who are bounded by a school of thought on the written word of God, and ones who were freed by the unconditional love of the Living Word of God – Jesus Christ.Ones whose doctrinal positions are contained in a boxed atmosphere where any belief outside of the box is unacceptable. Ones centered on Jesus with tolerance for people on a journey away from the center exploring where the Holy Spirit is leading them in ways compatible with the core doctrinal values of the center.While exploring the missiological and anthropological work of Paul G. Hiebert, it was good to run into this book written by Mark D. Baker which is inspired by Hiebert’s writing such as Anthropological Reflection on Missiological Issues (Baker Academic, 1994).Hiebert describes churches who are bounded, fuzzy, and centered. With this in mind, “the purpose of this (Baker’s) book is not merely to explain these categories, but to help churches become communities that are centered on Jesus so that they can lovingly walk with each other on a journey of transformation.” (14)The fuzzy category is new to me. I get it. I affirm it as a needed addition to the typology. Part of the added value of the fuzzy category is to realize that even without a clearly defined set of essentials of the Christian faith, they can be just as legalistic and purveyors of judgmentalism as are bounded congregations and denominations.In chapter 5 the reference to an “Alignment Committee” affirms my focus on “Vision Plus Intentionality” or “Clarity with Alignment”.I enjoyed seeing a book that refers to the writings of French philosopher and theologian Jacques Ellul. As a reader you should get extra points if you know who Ellul is. Even more points if you have read some of his writings. Living out God’s revelation in an unbounded way rather than turning revelation into a bounded religion is a helpful thought I had while reading the reference to Ellul.I loved the use of Paul’s letter to the Galatians as an example – even a case study – throughout the book. Also, the use of the parable of the lost sons.The simple matrix of low and high expectations and inclusivity is a valuable illustration.Borrowing and building on the concept of bounded-set churches being about building fences, and centered-set churches drinking from deep wells was a very helpful image. Added to it was the idea of the fuzzy-set churches being like cattle roaming in open country without a fence or a well.The book was divided into four parts. Part One that explained the concept was the most helpful to me. Part Two added some great insights. The other two parts were occasionally helpful. The first and second parts contributed 90 percent of what I learned.

I pastor a small church plant in Buffalo, NY. Our church is about two years old, and we now have many people who see our church as their "church home." We started asking "How can people who call our church home grow in christ-likeness within our church?"Dr. Baker's work has helped our church discover who we are going to become for people who call our church home. As a church plant it can be easy to get wrapped up in the mentality of “Reach more people. Reach more people. REACH MORE PEOPLE!” Now that we have been doing this for almost 2 years, we have been forced to ask the question… “What do we do with the people who now consider New Story to be their home?” The centered set model has given us a foundation to build from.The Centered-Set model will give your church a healthy blue-print to grow your church and move your church in the direction of Christ-likeness.

Getting back to the heart of the gospel of Christ through integrative personal relationships filled with the Spirit and Nature of Jesus Christ.

The author's presentation of the Centered-Set Church is fascinating and engaging. The concept itself seems likely to become the predominant one used by churches that survive and thrive in present-day post-Christian America. To me, the portions (majority of the book) related to instruction, examples, and application are long and detract from the initial, powerful presentation of the theory of the Centered-Set Church.

Mark Baker has produced in this book a brilliant guide to setting the church free from the judgementalism it's become known for. Read, pray and practice it.

It's not often I read a book about one big idea, but I'm glad I read this one. I appreciated Mark Baker's examples and analysis of bounded-set and fuzzy-set churches. His thoroughness helped me see how a centered-set approach works practically in a local church. Now my church staff and I are watching and discussing Baker's "Centered-Set" videos. I will use this framework to help me sort out our current denominational dilemma.--Steve Todd, pastor, FaithWestwood United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska

A call to live out Gods design for His community on earth! The book is inspiring and practical! Read it with others! I would call it a “how to life out the prodigal God (Tim Keller) lifestyle.”

Thanks Mark! This is a book I've been waiting for. A place to call home in the midst of the tensions of culture and church. I love the clarity of language identifying a centered place which allows us to find space in love while holding beliefs. I also appreciated also the many stories from around the world of people choosing to listen and care for one another as we seek to be more like Jesus.This book is worth the read for the encouragement to the many people like me trying to find a way through!