The Difficult But Indispensable Church
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2002
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Publisher's Description
Why is it so difficult to be church today? Of course, Christian community is marked by ennobling worship, mutual care, and joyful celebration. But just as often it is marred by staid routine, insularity, and disagreement over leadership, budgets, ethical stances, or even the shape of congregational prayer itself. Alienation, blame, and power struggles ensue. Is church worth it? In this volume of fresh thinking about life in Christian community, twenty-one theologians from Wartburg Seminary strongly attest to Christ-centered community, offering new views of church as the indispensable site of radical Christian commitment and an essential healer for a hurting world. Reflective churchgoers will find here a virtual theological guide to church renewal. In part 1 the authors show how church can model an alternative vision of community, helping people achieve well-being and health, even as their differences are affirmed. Part 2 gets to the heart of Christian practice through creative discussions of belief, fellowship, encounters with Scripture, preaching, and moral deliberation. Part 3 finds the church in motion in new ways of understanding discipleship and mission near and far. Part 4 shows how a Christ-inspired openness can reveal new perspectives on tough issues of public policy, race and class, and ordination of gays and lesbians. Modeling what they espouse, the authors find unanimity in affirming the strengths of diversity, the unsuspected key to church renewal. Contributors include: James L. Bailey, Karen L. Bloomquist, Norma Cook Everist, Roger W. Fjeld, Ann L. Fritschel, Paul Hill, Peter L. Kjeseth, L. Shannon Jung, Duane H. Larson, Elizabeth A. Leeper, David J. Lull, Craig L. Nessan, James R. Nieman, Daniel L. Olson, Winston Persaud, Duane A. Priebe, Ralph W. Quere, David A. Ramse, Gwen B. Sayler, Thomas H. Schattauer, and H. S. Wilson.
Endorsements (2)
“For church leaders who fear that differences within the congregation are less than Christian, this book demonstrates how a variety of viewpoints can contribute to a deeper and more authentic Christian witness....I found the book heartening in its bold thesis that when a congregation is a "trustworthy place to be different together," it more fully embodies the nature of the Triune God.”
“This book provides us with a fresh and compelling reassessment of the unity of the church in its diversity. Weaving together varying, even conflicting viewpoints, the writers model for us what life is like for parishioners in a congregation. As a study resource for renewal in the church, the book will challenge readers to listen to and understand each other so that they may unite in mission even while retaining varied viewpoints and gifts.”
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