Foolish Church: Messy, Raw, Real, and Making Room

by Lee Roorda Schott

Messy, raw, and real aren't the words most of us use when we say what's good about our churches. But what if they were? Author Lee Schott found out, serving a beautiful church inside the Iowa women's prison. A lifelong church person, she discovered more church, and greater faithfulness, in this most unlikely setting, with room for people the church has often overlooked. She shares the lessons she has learned there, with the hope that church leaders outside of prison might be inspired, equipped, and encouraged to loosen the fetters that keep our churches so closed off. We'll explore church characterized by honest relationship, protection of the vulnerable, radical welcome, and healthy boundaries. Practical application for the local church context and discussion questions for group study are included throughout. ""A renewed concern for imprisoned persons often marks times of religious revival. While Lee Schott's fine book is about a church within a women's prison, the subject is the church itself. It is a plea for congregations to move beyond an assembly of the most respectable to make room for those on the edges of respectability for whom Jesus had such an open heart."" --Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC ""Lee's intimate conversations from 'the Well' give this writing real emotional depth and become the background for challenging questions for the church. A must read and practical process that can be implemented by a committed group of church leaders. The ministry of 'the Well' has the power to transform the ministry of the church everywhere. But beware, church growth may take on a totally different meaning."" --Bill Selby, President, Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies ""In my forty years living at the intersection of the church and the criminal justice system, few people have taught me as much as Lee Roorda Schott. The lessons range from the distinct issues facing women in prison to the challenge of forming community in a correctional institution. But no greater lesson have I learned from her than this--and it is the central thesis of this book--that the church exists behind the prison walls, and that any theology of prison ministry that is totally missional falls short of the truth. Incarcerated people are more than just objects of outreach. They are the church, and no ecclesiology is fully orbed without them. Foolish Church makes this point clearly and thoughtfully, humanizing and giving voice to our sisters invisible to the rest of the church. Foolish Church is now required reading in my classes."" --Harold Dean Trulear, Associate Professor of Applied Theology, Howard University School of Divinity Lee Roorda Schott is a United Methodist elder and pastor of Women at the Well, a church inside the women's prison in Mitchellville, Iowa. She is a graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology and Harvard Law School and worked as a lawyer for fifteen years before becoming a pastor. She is the author of Job, in the Immersion Bible Study series (2011).

148 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2019

Reviews

[Tammy Hickman-Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is primarily addressed to mainstream Christian church leaders, I feel it has powerful, yet simple, messages that applies to all of us. I loved how the author uses stories from her experiences as a women’s prison minister to explain how churches (and individuals) need to change to truly follow Jesus’s teachings.

I have lived most of my life as an unchurched person, so I appreciate her limited use of biblical scripture. The simplicity of the writing made it easy for me to recognize myself in the different roles throughout the book. I am someone who has been marginalized as a child of mentally ill parents that self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. I am someone who has sat in judgment of others, building strong walls to keep control, however I am also someone who at times has gotten it right by loving my neighbor as myself even when it wasn’t easy.

The author’s message that it all begins with relationships hit home with me. One quote that really resonates with me is “how do we become churches that build boundaries, but not walls”. I’m trying to figure out how to do this with family members that struggle and at times make poor choices.
This is a relatively short book that is long on wisdom about how we might build more caring communities. It is a timely, much needed, message for our churches and society.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pastor Lee," as the inmates at the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women at Mitchellville call her, gets down to the raw and messy parts of being part of a church today. Are we welcoming? Inclusive? Judgmental? Do we accept one another's scars (and our own), or are we looking for a sanitized community that looks like an idealized version of ourselves? In clear, direct and inspirational prose, Schott shows us the way to the church community we could be, using her relationship with women inmates as a model. A book well worth reading for any faith community.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very wonderful spirit here teaching about true inclusiveness and how to have a welcoming spirit. Really helpful insights on what church should look like and how to operate with authenticity and compassion toward ourselves and others. I enjoyed reading it immensely, despite that I think those who would most benefit would be church leaders. Made me want to go and start my own!

[Kathy Knutsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic churches require risk, faith and down right dirty. Examples of recognizing the limitations of a prison ministry result in a more clear road for Christian growth. Neat stories

[Linda Oleson-King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thought provoking read! Lee has hit on a topic that is so relevant for our time! She reminds us that the people most in need of love and support are often the ones who we are least likely to see at a formal church. I encourage you to read it!