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Fragile Hope: Your Church in 2020
Is your congregation concerned primarily with health and stability, or mission and outreach? Does it always or usually seek a pleasant sense of harmony and fellowship, or does it vibrate with an edgy energy?
Are the members risk-averse, or risk takers? In this innovative book, Tom Bandy explains how harmony--the desire to minimize conflict and change--can deaden our discernment of the leadership of the Spirit, and render us blind to the needs of the world into which Jesus would lead. With the visionary sweep that has become his trademark, Bandy explains how congregations can leave behind their preoccupation with a false harmony and follow Jesus into the mission field of contemporary North American culture.
Are the members risk-averse, or risk takers? In this innovative book, Tom Bandy explains how harmony--the desire to minimize conflict and change--can deaden our discernment of the leadership of the Spirit, and render us blind to the needs of the world into which Jesus would lead. With the visionary sweep that has become his trademark, Bandy explains how congregations can leave behind their preoccupation with a false harmony and follow Jesus into the mission field of contemporary North American culture.
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
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May 11, 2014
Tom Bandy is a serious visionary. I admit that sometimes I find him to be way outside the box for my own comfort, but I read him because I think he sees clearly where the church needs reforming. I don't think his is the only way, but it needs to be seriously considered. Two quotes that are worthy of memorization are:
"What is it about our experience with Jesus that this community cannot live without?"
"They never did anything to benefit another human being without sharing their faith motivation for doing it. They never shared their faith without doing something to benefit another human being."
He calls the church to personal mission, an organic mission that arises from the pews and deconstructs the calcified accoutrements that prevent the church from being the church.
This is a good, but not an easy, read.
"What is it about our experience with Jesus that this community cannot live without?"
"They never did anything to benefit another human being without sharing their faith motivation for doing it. They never shared their faith without doing something to benefit another human being."
He calls the church to personal mission, an organic mission that arises from the pews and deconstructs the calcified accoutrements that prevent the church from being the church.
This is a good, but not an easy, read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review