[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”0830841156″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BDAf9EDKL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”douloschristo-20″ width=”107″]Page 2: The New Parish – Sparks, Soerens, Friesen
The rest of The New Parish looks at the practices, theory, leadership, and collaboration needed for the local church to practice faithful presence within a new parish. The book is deceptively short, but once you dig in you’ll find an incredible depth of ideas and wisdom that have vast implications for the shape and practices of the church. The book touches on everything from adaptive leadership, holistic worship, and the problem of technique to asset-based community development, urban planning, environmental care, and kingdom economics. Yet The New Parish manages to keep the context practical and the vision compelling for the local church.
Yes, You Should Read It
The New Parish is for all those who want to live a more integrated and connected life as they follow Jesus. For those who want to see the gospel lived in tangible presence in their neighborhoods. For those who want to see local churches collaborate for the economic, civic, environmental, and educational flourishing of their neighborhood. For all those who have known the only way to start is by listening to the stories of their neighborhood and learning from the wisdom of their neighbors. For all those who have rejected narrow definitions of leadership and want to mobilize all kinds of people to participate in God’s movement in their place. And The New Parish is for all those who want to see reconciliation and renewal in their neighborhood.
A Final Word
The New Parish is beautifully honest. I don’t know many other books on the church that start with three stories of how the authors experienced failure and missed expectations. Rooting the church in the neighborhood is difficult, often slow, and paradigm-shifting work. And the results need to be measured in meals together and lives slowly changed and moments of collaboration across organizations, not growing numbers at a Sunday service. But for those of us who want to see neighbors loving neighbors and the kingdom of God revealed in the places and lives that we love, the way forward is faithful presence in the neighborhood, and The New Parish helps point the way.
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
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