Description
Available on Kindle!
This collection offers "one big idea" from each of an array of emerging Christian leaders who are invested in addressing some of the concerns of today's church. The contributors share insights from their generational and vocational perspectives, critically engage in dialogue, and debate the traditional models of ministry and leadership. While appreciating what they have inherited, the authors display their faith in congregations' ability to change and adapt.
Topics include:
• Discipleship issues such as Sunday school, Intergenerational worship settings, & evangelism
• Redefinition of community through strategic planning, ecumenical partnerships, and communication in a larger world
• The pursuit of justice through inclusion of the poor and the prisoner
Recognizing the generational shift within congregations across the country and anticipating areas of church life that require attention or reform, this volume offers possibilities for new directions within Christian communities.
Key features:
• Challenges the church to consider alternative ways to doing church in order to strengthen and grow congregations
• Offers practical strategies that address key areas of congregational health
• Explores the core themes of community, discipleship, and justice with emerging Christian leaders of diverse denominations, generations and vocations
Reviews
"Church on Purpose brings many previously unheard voices into the public conversation. Bond and Cheifetz have offered the church and church leaders a gift: the powerful insights of younger, emerging leaders about ministry. The persistence of hope as a theme for the authors is striking, given the challenge of ministry today. The themes of Community, Discipleship, and Justice fit the times and inform the discussion in helpful ways. Those who seek to keep abreast of developments in current thought are well-served by this work." —Cynthia Holder Rich, Pastor and Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Findlay, Ohio
"The words offered by these contributing writers should resonate with all of us who have loved, will love, and continue to love the mission, vision, and relevance of the church. The concern with which they write is palpable. The questions asked are simple, yet profound enough to jar our capacity to imagine—or as one writer in the book says, to 'dream about a new way of being church.' The intentionality and practicality of this resource is useful for all who 'are intent upon thinking and praying with the church about its future' (from the Preface)." —Rev. Nannette E. Banks, Director of Alumni/ae and Church Relations, McCormick Theological Seminary
Many ideas are being examined as Christian leaders are offering possible suggestion. Included within this 145-page gathering of ideas and suggestions: Politics, Money, Sex, and More: Faith Formation in Today's Church; The Heart of the Matter: Reimagining Christian Leadership; Reinventing the One-Room Worship House; Believers Unchained: Why Christians Must Abolish Prisons or Stop Preaching the Gospel, and much more! The authors give many straightforward thoughts and ideas to up-date the Church. This book is highly recommended for enlightenment and the challenges of our Christian beliefs. This powerful volume may be purchased at the reader's favorite book store. — M. G. Paregian
Author Bio
Adam Bond, MA, PhD, is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches USA, and pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Richmond, VA. He was Assistant Professor of Historical Studies and American Baptist liaison at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond. His previous ministry work included serving for six years on the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin staff, and writing for Judson Bible Journeys for Adults.
Laura Mariko Cheifetz, MBA, MDiv, is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She serves as the executive director of church and public relations at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. A preacher, speaker and writer in a variety of settings throughout the church, she previously worked with The Fund for Theological Education in Decatur, GA.