"Janzen’s book is rightly titled as a handbook. It’s a reference guide for showing us how (to) nurture and grow intentional Christian community...I’m not sure that I’m ready to pack everything up, and move to a large piece of farmland with a bunch of other people who are committing to live, work, and worship together. But I am gleaning some incredible wisdom about how I can develop a stronger sense of Christian community right where I’m at. Janzen has me thinking long and hard about what it means to do life together with other Christians." —Dan King, author of The Unlikely Missionary: From Pew-Warmer to Poverty-Fighter
"Divided into six sections, Janzen takes us from the current desire for community, setting this yearning in context, to picturing what mature Christian community looks like. In between he helps readers discern whether intentional community is their calling, what they should know before moving in together, describes what the first year of community life looks like, and lays out the tasks that a young community might take up...Janzen combines narrative, biblical teaching, admonition, and storytelling. He shares his experiences and invites participants in community to share their own stories of both the blessings and the difficulties encountered...If you’re interested in intentional Christian community, this is an essential book. If you’re wondering what this ’thing’ is, you might want to pick up the book and read some of the more descriptive sections...Of course, if you’re engaged in intentional Christian community life – I’d say that this is an essential bit of reading." —Robert Cornwall, M.Div., Ph.D., pastor, author, and theologian
