The Church and the Crisis of Community
A Practical Theology of Small-Group Ministry
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Published: 2011
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Publisher's Description
Contemporary society is in crisis, its structures broken and fragmented, and its people overstimulated, overstressed, and thirsty for true communion with the sacred and with one another. Yet although more than eighty-five percent of congregations in the United States conduct small-group ministry, too many of these groups begin with no clear sense of purpose, structure, or spiritual focus and end by veering away from Christian tradition and unknowingly settling for shallow versions of popular Christianity. In The Church and the Crisis of Community Theresa Latini lays out both a theoretical groundwork and a practical guideline for successful small-group ministry. Examining the latest sociological research and the real-life practices of small groups in six congregations, she shows how well-developed groups — those with mission statements, leadership training, and solid organizational structure — can be a truly effective tool in the church’s work of transforming broken and shallow forms of community into life-giving, life-sustaining relationships with God and others.
Endorsements (4)
“Who knew Karl Barth had so much to offer small-group ministries? The Church and the Crisis of Community goes light-years beyond any small-group book I have read, inviting the reader into actual congregations as they seek to address Americans' longing for community through small groups. With abundant concrete examples, profound theological wisdom, and powerful theoretical insight, Theresa Latini establishes herself as a fresh, powerful new voice in practical theology — and a wise companion to those leading congregations in a culture craving communion. The church will be learning from Theresa Latini for years to come.”
“Latini offers a refreshingly serious theology of small-group ministry. We have long needed this book.”
“Points readers to a rich, Christ-centered vision of koinonia and communion, all the while presenting an insightful account of how to integrate the social sciences into a robustly theological vision. This is a groundbreaking book in the field of practical theology!”
“In our day of faceless relationships and pervasive social media Theresa Latini offers a wonderful understanding of the theological foundations of genuine koinonia and how to facilitate its growth in congregations through small groups. . . . This is a book I would like to put into the hands of every pastor.”
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