Identity Tug of War
Narrating Leadership Awareness of Congregational Identity
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
What defines your church? What would your church answer to the question "who are we?" Answers would likely include a wide variety of sources, from tradition, theological distinctives, visions, origin stories, and more. Church identity exists across various groups within a particular church, and these identities will shift over time. Church leadership may define a church's identity in a way that may or may not match the congregational identity. This book looks at exploring this complex issue using the tools of social psychology alongside practical theology in developing tools for church leadership to operate in awareness of the multifaceted identity of the church. This was explored through narrative inquiry into several churches, which helped to explore the efficacy of these tools in the work of church leadership's understanding of congregational identity.
Endorsements (3)
“Churches are struggling to be communities where people belong. But what does it mean to belong? Is it realistic to imagine that everyone can belong? In this book, Paul Lucas draws upon Social Identity Theory to help pastors become more aware of how exactly individuals move from seeing themselves as a singular ‘I’ to part of a plural ‘we.’ His work bursts a few naive bubbles but also offers sober practical advice. I recommend it.”
“In a post-pandemic world, the questions of belonging and leadership within the church have never been more relevant. How do we, as faith communities, cultivate a true sense of belonging? What role do church leaders play in shaping communal identity? Dr. Paul Lucas tackles these pressing issues with depth and scholarly precision in his work. Having worked alongside Paul at McMaster Divinity College, I have seen firsthand his dedication to rigorous scholarship and thoughtful leadership. His blend of personal experience, strong faith, and academic integrity makes this work a valuable contribution to the conversation. Well-researched and masterfully written, this is essential reading for those seeking to lead with wisdom and authenticity. Highly recommended.”
“Having a sense of belonging is at the core of human desire and is amplified in the church as it seeks to embody the truth that we belong in Christ. Paul Lucas explores how churches can evaluate people’s sense of belonging and how they can cultivate a ministry where people feel like they genuinely belong in their church. This book has implications for any ministry practitioner who wants to build a church where people feel like they truly belong.”
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