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Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission
How can we embody the values of love, grace, and justice? As faith communities, how can our collective embodiment of these values shine even brighter? The answers to these questions must always unfold right here, right now, exactly where God has planted us. Neighborhood Church acts as a resource to inspire churches to become a vibrant and engaging community partner with the families and neighborhoods living around them. The need for transformation is acute. Congregational decline continues across all mainline denominations. The abandonment of the church by the millennial generation is ubiquitous; no denomination is escaping it. This is, in part, a consequence of disconnection from our communities. Van Tatenhove and Mueller believe that, parish by parish, we can reverse this trend. They dare to have an audacious hope for local congregations not only as signs of Gods kingdom but as life-giving institutions that anchor their neighborhoods. Drawing on their combined sixty years of parish experience, wisdom from Asset-Based Community Development, and compelling case stories, Van Tatenhove and Mueller do more than just call us to incarnational ministry. They give practical, essential tools that lead to communal conversion, develop the DNA of listening, spur fruitful partnerships, promote integrated space, and sustain long-term visions. They believe these tools will spark true revival and unleash the power of incarnational ministry.
146 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 7, 2019
I loved the case studies in the book. To see real examples of real churches who are doing neighboring well was inspiring. It also made neighboring seem not completely out of grasp.
Another part that will stick with me is the power of listening. I was reminded of the power we hold when we listen and how that must always happen first. ‘the church should be leading the effort to listen attentively to others. This is a holy gift we offer to our communities in an era of rancorous social discourse.’
I loved this ‘i had to dive into the depths of their reality, a conversion to their experience, so that together we could find the available abundance that would make it possible to address an overwhelming deficiency.’
This book was hard to follow at times. It felt like a casual conversation at times and left me wanting a bit more from the book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Another part that will stick with me is the power of listening. I was reminded of the power we hold when we listen and how that must always happen first. ‘the church should be leading the effort to listen attentively to others. This is a holy gift we offer to our communities in an era of rancorous social discourse.’
I loved this ‘i had to dive into the depths of their reality, a conversion to their experience, so that together we could find the available abundance that would make it possible to address an overwhelming deficiency.’
This book was hard to follow at times. It felt like a casual conversation at times and left me wanting a bit more from the book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2026
I genuinely appreciate the theology behind Neighborhood Church. The heart for faithfully living out the Gospel in community resonates deeply with me, but I found the book itself difficult to read.
Words like indefatigable became fatigue inducing, and the authors frequently reference thinkers and writing without sufficient explanation, which made the experience feel disjointed rather than illuminating. It was like they wanted to name drop as much as they could rather than thoughtfully building their narrative.
Instead of being invited into a coherent argument, I often felt bounced from idea to idea in a way that leaned more toward virtue signaling than careful formation.
I love what they are aiming at, hate how they missed it. It’s a small book so at least I didn’t have to suffer long. Two tentative stars.
Words like indefatigable became fatigue inducing, and the authors frequently reference thinkers and writing without sufficient explanation, which made the experience feel disjointed rather than illuminating. It was like they wanted to name drop as much as they could rather than thoughtfully building their narrative.
Instead of being invited into a coherent argument, I often felt bounced from idea to idea in a way that leaned more toward virtue signaling than careful formation.
I love what they are aiming at, hate how they missed it. It’s a small book so at least I didn’t have to suffer long. Two tentative stars.
September 6, 2019
Excellent resource for church leaders
There's a lot of good food for thought, practical ideas and case studies to help shape how the church can be a resource for the community. What I really appreciated is the helps in shifting the culture of the church. We all know this has to happen, but this is the first book that helped me think through what this might look like in my own context.
There's a lot of good food for thought, practical ideas and case studies to help shape how the church can be a resource for the community. What I really appreciated is the helps in shifting the culture of the church. We all know this has to happen, but this is the first book that helped me think through what this might look like in my own context.
September 7, 2019
Once upon a time churches sat in neighborhoods and engaged with neighbors. Then came the automobile and people could pick from a wider range of congregations. Neighborhoods are filled with congregations inhabited by people who may or may not live within walking distance. More likely we commute, at least in metropolitan areas. This is also especially true in the age of megachurches. Nevertheless, many congregations still live within neighborhoods. The question is, how do you engage your neighbors?
"Neighborhood Church" seeks to provide guidance to congregations, helping them reimagine their ministries and use of buildings. The authors are both Presbyterians. They are pastors with a vision for revitalization and mission. Krin Van Tatenhove currently leads a nonprofit called Torch of Faith, which provides development services to nonprofits working on social justice. Rob Mueller is the pastor of an urban Hispanic congregation in San Antonio. His understandings of church life have been influenced by the Christian Base Community model developed in Latin America. Thus, the authors have a social justice, liberationist sensibility to their work.
This is part church-growth manual for progressive congregations, especially those who continue to inhabit urban spaces. As the pastor of a small suburban congregation with certain space issues, some of what they suggest is unworkable. Had we remained in our former space, we would be in a different position. Nonetheless, for those congregations with space available their words of guidance as to how to make good use of space and when offering space to outside groups finding ways of partnering with them is valuable.
The authors present what they view is incarnational ministry, a vision of living out God's kingdom in this space. They desire to encourage a quest for a new kind of relevancy, "especially in a country where Christianity is too often a civic religion, supporting a nationalistic worldview out of sync with biblical admonitions for justice. If we are to change, it will require listening to some painful questions and their prophetic challenges" (p. 5).
The book begins with a chapter on communal conversion. This involves moving from a vision of abundance, from scarcity, and a conversion to looking outward rather than always inwardly. This involves taking notice of and engaging with the neighbors of the congregation. This leads in chapter two to a conversation about listening, not only within the congregation but also with one's neighbors. What is happening in the neighborhood? How might the congregation engage?
Listening leads to transforming partnerships. That is, once we engage the neighbors, that will lead to important changes to both parties. There are, of course, pitfalls to avoid, but also great possibilities. As a congregation engages the community, it may find that it has an opportunity to share space or at least make space available. The authors take note of conversations about repurposing church buildings but want to push things further. It's not just about making space available, but engaging with those who would come into the building. Not every opportunity is the right opportunity. The idea here is to move toward forms of cross-fertilization. This involves understanding the question of ownership. Do we own the building, or does it belong to God. If the latter, then how would God have this bounty used?
The final chapter is titled "Sustaining the Vision." How do we move forward and sustain the work begun? This is a question of planning and stewardship. It is also a question of leadership development and what they refer to as "Spirit-filled worship." It is worship and mentoring that they wish to focus on. This is a good word, as we tend to struggle with both. Worship can become routine, and we can forget to bring along new leaders. All of this requires understanding one's context.
Having laid out their vision in relatively brief form, including in their presentations case studies of congregations that have demonstrated the principles they espouse, they provide four appendices. One is a Sample Asset Mapping Workshop, which will assist in the listening process. They provide suggestions for joint use agreements in appendix 2. Appendix two lists six dimensions of a partnership: 1) A clear definition of the target; 2) A Clear definition and recognition of each partner's contributions; a defined process for negotiating interdependencies; 4) the ability to manage crisis and change; 5) the ability to manage conflict; 6) taking time to pray. Regarding the final dimension -- there is a need to celebrate and enjoy one's company outside the working relationship. Finally, they offer a bibliography of asset-mapping resources.
This should be a helpful book for many congregations. I struggled at times knowing how it might work with my congregation and both its location and its building. Not all suburbs are alike, and many are not designed for community building. In addition, many suburban congregations are made up of people who do not live in the neighborhood, or even the city, and have few connections there. Nevertheless, there are possibilities for mission. Thus, we listen.
"Neighborhood Church" seeks to provide guidance to congregations, helping them reimagine their ministries and use of buildings. The authors are both Presbyterians. They are pastors with a vision for revitalization and mission. Krin Van Tatenhove currently leads a nonprofit called Torch of Faith, which provides development services to nonprofits working on social justice. Rob Mueller is the pastor of an urban Hispanic congregation in San Antonio. His understandings of church life have been influenced by the Christian Base Community model developed in Latin America. Thus, the authors have a social justice, liberationist sensibility to their work.
This is part church-growth manual for progressive congregations, especially those who continue to inhabit urban spaces. As the pastor of a small suburban congregation with certain space issues, some of what they suggest is unworkable. Had we remained in our former space, we would be in a different position. Nonetheless, for those congregations with space available their words of guidance as to how to make good use of space and when offering space to outside groups finding ways of partnering with them is valuable.
The authors present what they view is incarnational ministry, a vision of living out God's kingdom in this space. They desire to encourage a quest for a new kind of relevancy, "especially in a country where Christianity is too often a civic religion, supporting a nationalistic worldview out of sync with biblical admonitions for justice. If we are to change, it will require listening to some painful questions and their prophetic challenges" (p. 5).
The book begins with a chapter on communal conversion. This involves moving from a vision of abundance, from scarcity, and a conversion to looking outward rather than always inwardly. This involves taking notice of and engaging with the neighbors of the congregation. This leads in chapter two to a conversation about listening, not only within the congregation but also with one's neighbors. What is happening in the neighborhood? How might the congregation engage?
Listening leads to transforming partnerships. That is, once we engage the neighbors, that will lead to important changes to both parties. There are, of course, pitfalls to avoid, but also great possibilities. As a congregation engages the community, it may find that it has an opportunity to share space or at least make space available. The authors take note of conversations about repurposing church buildings but want to push things further. It's not just about making space available, but engaging with those who would come into the building. Not every opportunity is the right opportunity. The idea here is to move toward forms of cross-fertilization. This involves understanding the question of ownership. Do we own the building, or does it belong to God. If the latter, then how would God have this bounty used?
The final chapter is titled "Sustaining the Vision." How do we move forward and sustain the work begun? This is a question of planning and stewardship. It is also a question of leadership development and what they refer to as "Spirit-filled worship." It is worship and mentoring that they wish to focus on. This is a good word, as we tend to struggle with both. Worship can become routine, and we can forget to bring along new leaders. All of this requires understanding one's context.
Having laid out their vision in relatively brief form, including in their presentations case studies of congregations that have demonstrated the principles they espouse, they provide four appendices. One is a Sample Asset Mapping Workshop, which will assist in the listening process. They provide suggestions for joint use agreements in appendix 2. Appendix two lists six dimensions of a partnership: 1) A clear definition of the target; 2) A Clear definition and recognition of each partner's contributions; a defined process for negotiating interdependencies; 4) the ability to manage crisis and change; 5) the ability to manage conflict; 6) taking time to pray. Regarding the final dimension -- there is a need to celebrate and enjoy one's company outside the working relationship. Finally, they offer a bibliography of asset-mapping resources.
This should be a helpful book for many congregations. I struggled at times knowing how it might work with my congregation and both its location and its building. Not all suburbs are alike, and many are not designed for community building. In addition, many suburban congregations are made up of people who do not live in the neighborhood, or even the city, and have few connections there. Nevertheless, there are possibilities for mission. Thus, we listen.
May 9, 2019
I thought this was a great book. Very pragmatic advice for ways to engage a congregation to read a community, listen to it's needs, integrate their space and sustain new worship approaches. I think the Case Studies are moving to read and inspiring.
April 21, 2019
Excellent book to help churches ready to shake things up and help them find a way forward. Can’t wait to use with my congregation!
Want to Read
April 8, 2020free church study guide available on the Thoughtful Christian website
October 3, 2021
Reading this alongside church leaders. While I don't agree with every point, it challenged my thinking.
May 1, 2026
Read this as a group study for session to brainstorm ideas for our church.
October 1, 2019
This book is one that has the potential to inspire enthusiasm and spark excitement in the targeted audience, of which I am most certainly included. As a pastor of an established congregation, I am frequently troubled by questions of the cultural and community relevance and impact of the church I serve. In an age when church participation in our nation continues to decline and denominations are experiencing losses of people, money, and facilities (or ABC: attendance, buildings, and cash), it behooves every "neighborhood church" to examine itself to determine if they are accomplishing their goal of transforming lives.
The authors share a vision for designing our worship communities for maximum effectiveness in a rapidly changing culture. With practical ideas for community engagement, facility usage, strategic partnerships, and leadership development, readers will find a wealth of ideas for sustaining the vision of expanding the kingdom of God through the local church, regardless of the specific contemporary challenges. Included are many detailed case studies of neighborhood churches, large and small, that have overcome the exact same difficulties most readers will have experienced in their home congregations. Struggling churches are mentioned by name, and their leaders share how these congregations transitioned from dying to thriving, utilizing similar and/or identical strategies to those shared in the book.
The overall emphasis of Neighborhood Church is on Spirit-empowered, God-centered, Christ-focused worship. Within that focus, readers are encouraged to learn and implement the principles of asset-based community development in their congregations and communities in order to experience the life-changing blessing of transformed lives on a kingdom scale. I'm excited about beginning to implement these ideas in my own congregation and sharing this book with our leadership team.
Thank you to Netgalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the electronic advance reader copy that made this review possible.
The authors share a vision for designing our worship communities for maximum effectiveness in a rapidly changing culture. With practical ideas for community engagement, facility usage, strategic partnerships, and leadership development, readers will find a wealth of ideas for sustaining the vision of expanding the kingdom of God through the local church, regardless of the specific contemporary challenges. Included are many detailed case studies of neighborhood churches, large and small, that have overcome the exact same difficulties most readers will have experienced in their home congregations. Struggling churches are mentioned by name, and their leaders share how these congregations transitioned from dying to thriving, utilizing similar and/or identical strategies to those shared in the book.
The overall emphasis of Neighborhood Church is on Spirit-empowered, God-centered, Christ-focused worship. Within that focus, readers are encouraged to learn and implement the principles of asset-based community development in their congregations and communities in order to experience the life-changing blessing of transformed lives on a kingdom scale. I'm excited about beginning to implement these ideas in my own congregation and sharing this book with our leadership team.
Thank you to Netgalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the electronic advance reader copy that made this review possible.
May 23, 2019
This book is definitely oriented towards those serving in mainline denominations - however many of the principles are relevant to those serving in any kind of church. The idea of incarnational mission and truly being part of your neighbourhood is convicting. I appreciated the case studies and questions for thought along with the principles being explained.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews