or checkout with

A Church Beyond Belief: The Search for Belonging and the Religious Future
Product Description
▼▲As we move beyond the "emergent" or "missional" church paradigm, pastors and other church leaders are discovering a new reality: people (especially younger generations) are coming to church not as believers, but to find a place to belong - with or without faith. This book describes the dilemma and the distractions that currently prevent congregations from being the place where that sense of belonging can unfold and guide newcomers in the discovery of faith.
The authors argue that despite elaborate talk of change, spirituality, transformation, and conflict resolution, congregations are still mired in old patterns of belonging. Using broad-based career experiences, surveys of religious life, historical precedent, and insights from social psychology about what it means to belong today, the book suggests new and effective approaches to help churches make vital connections.
Product Information
▼▲Title: A Church Beyond Belief: The Search for Belonging and the Religious Future By: William L. Sachs, Michael S. Bos Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 208 Vendor: Morehouse Publishing Publication Date: 2014 | Dimensions: 9.00 X 6.00 (inches) Weight: 8 ounces ISBN: 0819228990 ISBN-13: 9780819228994 Stock No: WW228994 |
Related Products
Publisher's Description
▼▲Addresses belonging before believing and other new patterns for remaking congregations
As we move beyond the emergent or missional church paradigm, pastors and other church leaders are discovering a new reality: people (especially younger generations) are coming to church not as believers, but to find a place to belongwith or without faith. This book describes the dilemma and the distractions that currently prevent congregations from being the place where that sense of belonging can unfold and guide newcomers in the discovery of faith.
The authors argue that despite elaborate talk of change, spirituality, transformation, and conflict resolution, congregations are still mired in old patterns of belonging. Using broad-based career experiences, surveys of religious life, historical precedent, and insights from social psychology about what it means to belong today, the book suggests new and effective approaches to help churches make vital connections.
Author Bio
▼▲Editorial Reviews
▼▲"Bos and Sachs have given us a book that is timely, thought-provoking, and utterly engaging. Never before have I seen belonging and belief so beautifully described. Anyone who wants the church to become a true spiritual community where all are welcomed and faith flourishes needs to read this."
The Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, PhD, Canon to the Presiding Bishop Primate, The Episcopal Church
This is a superb book; it takes the sociological data about spirituality, believing, and modern life and explores the challenges and opportunities this data provides for a congregation. Underpinned by considerable learning, this is accessible, perceptive, and fascinating. Get your vestry to read this book.
Ian Markham, Dean President, Virginia Theological Seminary
In the tradition of Robert Bellahs Sheila and Sheilaism, Sachs and Bos here give us Ashley and Ashleyism. The result is an insightful, well-documented, and narratively presented portrait of todays young adults and of the spiritual and religious longings that drive them. All of this is accompanied by sharp-eyed and experienced analyses of both the limitations and possibilities of the congregations presently available to the Ashleys among us.
Phyllis Tickle, Author, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why
This book speaks powerfully and imaginatively to our context and times. In an age when many describe themselves as spiritual, but not religious, Sachs and Bos offer us an accessible, wise and creative book that engages faithfully and richly with the cultures that Christians and congregations seek to reach and transform. Beautifully written, this is a well-crafted book that will enable all kinds of congregations to move forward more confidently with their ministries and outreach. I cannot commend it highly enough.
Martyn Percy
Dean, Christ Church Oxford
Ask a Question
▼▲Find Related Products
▼▲Author/Artist Review
▼▲Ask a Question
What would you like to know about this product? Please enter your name, your email and your question regarding the product in the fields below, and we'll answer you in the next 24-48 hours.
If you need immediate assistance regarding this product or any other, please call 1-800-CHRISTIAN to speak directly with a customer service representative.