That would be the way I would summarize Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putman.  The book is not a “This is how you should do it book” with stories of the right organizational structure and right worship style and right method of evangelism.  Those kinds of books are old and tiring.  It’s not about the “what” of doing ministry but about the “why” - which is theological - and the discovery process.  We must contextualize, contextualize, contextualize.  At the same time, we must have a strong understanding of the theological basis for what we do.  This book encourages that.

The authors do a great job of reminding that we should do what will reach the community we are called to reach.  I don’t like bluegrass music, but if bluegrass music will reach the people in Middletown, DE (which btw, it won’t), then that’s the worship style we need to employ.  Everything doesn’t have to be contemporary,.  That is the reality of contextualization that the book calls for.  Discover and exegete your community and culture - which they provide a good process of doing -  and you will find how best to break the code in your context.

I greatly appreciated the emphasis on the theological in the book.  Their “Missional Matrix”, which explains the interation of Christology, missiology, and ecclesiology is extremely important.  Far too often our the strategy has neglected proper ecclesiology and/or Christology.

I would highly recommend this book as a primer on missional implementation, both for revitalization and church planting.  In addition, I would consider this to be a must read for all church leaders.  I purchased copies for all my church leaders and are asking them to read it.  So go buy yourself about 10 copies and give them to all your friends and family.