At the Blue Hole
Elegy for a Church on the Edge
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Published: 2021
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Publisher's Description
“Said plainly, churches are in trouble. All churches are, but certainly Churches of Christ. Whether or not they recognize the threats they are facing is a different matter. The future is fraught with dangers. Many won’t make it.” On New Year’s weekend, 1831–32, two churches came together in Lexington, Kentucky, in what is often known today as the Restoration Movement. Among the churches that emerged from this movement were Churches of Christ, which grew in the nineteenth century and then flourished in the twentieth. At their zenith, around 1990, there were over 13,000 Church of Christ congregations in the United States with nearly 1.3 million members. Especially in the southern states where Churches of Christ were concentrated, it seemed inconceivable that they would ever face their own death. Like many communities of faith, these churches are now in rapid decline. The numbers are devastating. At the current trajectory, Churches of Christ in America, with a membership of just over a million, will be less than a quarter their current size in thirty years. As they awaken to their crisis, many of them are beginning to see themselves at the edge. This book is an elegy for those churches. But it is also a story of hope and promise. As from the “Blue Hole”—the tiny, hidden spring from which flows the San Antonio River, near where Jack Reese ministers—there is still abundant life and grace to be found flowing into Churches of Christ, waiting to be uncovered. Anyone wondering how to stem the seemingly inevitable ebb of the fading Western church will find solace and help in Reese’s account of a once-thriving fellowship of churches that, God willing, may yet emerge from the grave into the light of resurrection.
Endorsements (31)
“Jack Reese cares deeply for Churches of Christ. I have known Jack as a mentor, teacher, and friend for over four decades. So, as I read, I hear his voice. I feel his passion, longings, pain, doubts, and God-dependency. His vivid storytelling coupled with candid and, at times, painful critique is refreshing and challenging. Be assured, At the Blue Hole is not merely another historical account. There are no quick fixes here, no gimmicks, and certainly no room for the arrogance of sectarianism. You will find, rather, a clear, thematic, and essential call to a forgotten history wherein lie the resources for renewal and a future. Hope lies in the choices made by Churches of Christ at the edge.”
“Jack Reese has written an engaging and thoughtful book that invites the reader to reflect upon several pivotal, but not well known, events in the life of Churches of Christ that have informed and impacted members of that tradition to this day. Writing in a conversational and personal style, Jack leads the reader back and forth between historic events and current realities in many Churches of Christ, focusing especially upon the twin themes of restoration and unity. As a minister, Jack writes in an engaging homiletic style, drawing the reader into the story through the use of metaphor and analogy. As an academic, he helps the reader make connections between seemingly disparate historical moments. Easy to read and hard to put down, this book will richly reward any reader interested in the impact of history upon current church life and practice.”
“This book contains rich stories and anecdotes from the story of Churches of Christ in America. The real value of the book, though, may be in identifying the strengths and resources that exist in this story, which could be invaluable to Churches of Christ today. If we are silent about our story, we may well miss some of these incredible riches that could help us step into a future of hope.”
“In my experience as a leader in Christian higher education, one of the questions I frequently asked myself was, ‘How does the past inform the current situation?’ This book will orient the reader in the valuable lessons of the history of Churches of Christ in the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. More importantly, it will help all of us to see our present bearings in a clearer way and enable us to chart a solid future for the church. A valuable read for all!”
“With striking discernment, Jack Reese offers a guide to the foibles, failures, and successes of Churches of Christ and how past baggage still weighs heavily upon these churches. But there is much hope here. With great insight and extraordinary creativity, Reese reveals surprising resources and gives practical advice for the future. Reese is an excellent communicator. I was glued to page after page. This is a helpful book for any church.”
“With the touch of an artist, the ear of a poet, the mind of a professor, the heart of a pastor, and the eye of a prophet, Jack Reese tells the story of his church tradition. His words are a sober diagnosis, but they end with a hopeful prescription for Churches of Christ. Everyone from this spiritual family, and other communities of faith, can benefit from Reese’s careful diagnosis and compassionate remedies.”
“As Churches of Christ navigate uncharted waters of adaptive change, Jack Reese’s At the Blue Hole provides wisdom and direction. Through a captivating—and at times chilling—braiding of origins, leading figures, and turning points in this fellowship, Reese affirms a way forward rooted in the core meaning of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. By choosing to let go of hindering attitudes and postures, Churches of Christ can be reborn into a new future. Reese affirms that the unity these churches have historically desired remains sourced in the gospel and the reconciling power of Christ. With his deft storytelling, keen insights, and wisdom that comes only through love, compassion, and the fire of experience, At the Blue Hole is a must-read for all those seeking the future of Churches of Christ.”
“At the Blue Hole is a unique and personal story of the history that formed Churches of Christ into a distinct tradition. Jack Reese assesses both the crises and opportunities these churches now face, a great example of the critical but grateful appropriation of one’s own faith tradition. Jack shares his stories with clarity and passion. His love for Churches of Christ is clear, and that love moves him to contribute to its present and future renewal.”
“At the Blue Hole is an essential read for churches who find themselves in crisis. It is hard to know where to go if you don’t know who you are, where you are, or how you got there. That is where many Churches of Christ find themselves today. These churches, like most others in America, are at a pivotal moment that will determine not only what kind of future they will have but whether they will have a future at all. There are no easy answers here. But Jack Reese wrestles with hard questions honestly, out of a lifetime of service that blends scholarship and ministry toward practical wisdom for helping churches become healthy. This is a major contribution to a community of churches in need of direction and a future.”
“What lies ahead for Churches of Christ? With a historian’s insight and a storyteller’s imagination, Jack Reese weaves together past narratives to point beyond the decline in congregational life toward an open future. What emerges for the reader is the marvelous invitation to consider both the past and God’s desired future to act faithfully in the present. Anyone who seeks renewal in Churches of Christ, or any church, will find much to ponder and resources to fuel the imaginative work needed for new beginnings.”
“With the focus of a scholar, the eye of a historian, and a heart full of love for Churches of Christ, Jack Reese has crafted a wonderful story of our past which in turn can lead to hope for our future. This book is informative, engaging, and eye-opening. While the whole work is masterful, the ‘Reflections’ interspersed among the chapters are worth the price of this book. Every person who cares deeply about the Stone-Campbell movement, especially those who love Churches of Christ, should read this book.”
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