American Society of Missiology Series #65 In this comprehensive ecclesiology through a missionary lens Stephen Bevans unpacks the profound Catholic conviction that the church is missionary by its very nature as he considers what it means for the church to be on mission, in community, and together in discipleship. Contents 1 Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Foundation of the Church 2 The Spirit of Christ and the Birth of the Church 3 The Future that Calls Forth the Church: The Reign of God and the Church 4 The Mission that Calls Forth the Church: A Single, Complex Reality 5 The Dialogue that Calls Forth the Church: The Practice of Prophetic Dialogue 6 The Church as the People of God: Called to be a Blessing for All Nations 7 The Church as the Body of Christ: Sharing and Continuing the Mission of Jesus 8 The Church as the Creation of the Spirit: Presence, Challenge, Surprises 9 Dimensions of the Missionary Church I: Apostolicity and Catholicity 10 Dimensions of the Missionary Church II: Holiness and Unity 11 Baptismal Missionary Discipleship 12 Leadership for a Missionary Church 13 Ministerial Missionary Discipleship 14 Ordained Missionary Discipleship I: (Ordained) Ministry in History and Context 15 Ordained Missionary Discipleship II: A Theology of Ordained Ministry in a Missionary Church