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Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community
G. Travis Norvell challenges church leaders and members--persistently asking them and their respective churches what they are doing to make a real difference in others' lives. The author proposes that the people of the "living church" start moving in, around, and with their communities to truly move toward renewal and social justice, drawing on his own experiences as a church pastor who walked, rode his bike, and took the bus as he went about his work. The book provides concrete, practical ways for the church body and individuals to begin implementing this movement, including study questions, suggested resources, and "experiments" between chapters that can help them find the ways that work best in their respective contexts.
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 13, 2022
Churches and religious institutions can easily become insulated from the surrounding world. They turn inward, especially when their future is uncertain. Many smaller churches are especially tuned in that direction. So, what is the answer? The truth is, there is no one answer to every question or concern. Every congregation lives in a different context. A suburban context is much different from an urban or a rural one. Nevertheless, we can always learn from the experiences of others.
I was asked to review Travis Norvell's book "Church on the Move." The title is intriguing, especially when you look at the cover and one of three pictures is of a man riding a bike. That should serve as a clue to what is found inside. The subtitle suggests that this is "a practical guide for ministry in the community." In other words, this is a book about getting out of the building or at least using the building for ministry that engages the large community.
Norvell is the pastor of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He also teaches at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. His church, affiliated with the American Baptists, is situated in an urban area, not far from where George Floyd was murdered by a police officer. Part of the goal of this book is to demonstrate how social justice and church renewal can go hand in hand.
I read the book from the perspective of a retired mainline Protestant pastor who served a small suburban congregation that has roots in the city and draws its members from across a metropolitan area. In other words, my recent experience has been with a congregation that is anything but a neighborhood congregation. In other words, using a bike to do my ministry is not possible. However, Norvell does have that opportunity and he demonstrates how a small congregation can become intimately involved in the life of the community, starting with riding a bike to work and worship.
Now, we should note up front that Minneapolis' weather is not balmy in the winter. I live in metro Detroit, which is quite wintery, but Minneapolis is even more wintery. Nevertheless, Norvell invited his congregation to join him in riding to worship, or if not riding a bike, walking, or riding public transit. Of course, that is not always possible, but in an urban area, it can be possible. With that, he invites us to consider what it means to be a "church on the move." He proposes that the church might metaphorically, promote "movement into the neighborhood/parish as a way to reconnect with neighbors and renew church mission and ministry" (p. xvii). Part of his message here is that a church needn't have a big parking lot to thrive, countering a message on of his predecessors at Judson had promoted. Perhaps there are other ways to thrive, and perhaps a big parking lot separates a congregation from its neighbors.
After his car broke down he faced the question of whether to replace it. As he pondered that question he discovered that his parish is quite bikable. He lived less than three miles from the church and most of his trips were less than three miles, which made his ministry rather bikable. That led to an evaluation of his neighborhood and its connection to the church. His reflections on the nature of his neighborhood (chapter 1) lead to an extended reflection on parking, and how parking lots function. He notes that parking lots are designed for temporary storage, so perhaps we don't need one or they can be utilized differently -- perhaps as the location of a community garden using straw bales. It's an intriguing conversation that raises again the connection of a congregation to its neighbors. He offers a variety of possibilities of how churches can become less dependent on parking lots/spots.
This isn't just a book about biking and parking. Norvell also addresses staffing (there may be gifted people within the congregation who can provide the kind of leadership needed without hiring additional clergy. He shares stories of how his congregation discovered just the right people in the pews. He discusses ways in which the building can be better utilized in service to the community. Of course, there's the question of money and how it is used (chapter 3).
You might think having a car would be a time-saving device, but perhaps not. Thus, Norvell reflects on his discovery that having car isn't necessarily a time saver, and that one can utilize biking for instance in double-duty ways -- if you're biking you're getting your daily exercise so that's one thing off the list. He also reflects on the concept of slow church that Chris Smith and John Pattison explored in their book Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus. But he also explores other ways of being present in the community such as using the local coffee shop as an auxiliary office so as to be available to the larger community.
Finally, we come to the challenge. That challenge is this -- are we willing to embrace risk. What he proposes is risky. Building a parking lot or relocating to the suburbs is the recommended means of renewing the church, but as some of us know, having a parking lot in a suburban community on a busy street doesn't guarantee success. So, are we ready and willing to take risks that might lead to renewal and ministry in the community?
This is a brief, readable, thought-provoking book. Contexts are different and not everything suggested will work in every situation, but even if that's true we can learn from what Travis Norvell has discovered in his ministry in Minneapolis. Being that this is a practical guide, he includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter, along with a set of suggested readings that extend the discussion. Something you might not expect in such a guide is a recipe that might prove empowering for this work.
If you're intrigued and ready to take some risks, this might be a book for you!
I was asked to review Travis Norvell's book "Church on the Move." The title is intriguing, especially when you look at the cover and one of three pictures is of a man riding a bike. That should serve as a clue to what is found inside. The subtitle suggests that this is "a practical guide for ministry in the community." In other words, this is a book about getting out of the building or at least using the building for ministry that engages the large community.
Norvell is the pastor of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He also teaches at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. His church, affiliated with the American Baptists, is situated in an urban area, not far from where George Floyd was murdered by a police officer. Part of the goal of this book is to demonstrate how social justice and church renewal can go hand in hand.
I read the book from the perspective of a retired mainline Protestant pastor who served a small suburban congregation that has roots in the city and draws its members from across a metropolitan area. In other words, my recent experience has been with a congregation that is anything but a neighborhood congregation. In other words, using a bike to do my ministry is not possible. However, Norvell does have that opportunity and he demonstrates how a small congregation can become intimately involved in the life of the community, starting with riding a bike to work and worship.
Now, we should note up front that Minneapolis' weather is not balmy in the winter. I live in metro Detroit, which is quite wintery, but Minneapolis is even more wintery. Nevertheless, Norvell invited his congregation to join him in riding to worship, or if not riding a bike, walking, or riding public transit. Of course, that is not always possible, but in an urban area, it can be possible. With that, he invites us to consider what it means to be a "church on the move." He proposes that the church might metaphorically, promote "movement into the neighborhood/parish as a way to reconnect with neighbors and renew church mission and ministry" (p. xvii). Part of his message here is that a church needn't have a big parking lot to thrive, countering a message on of his predecessors at Judson had promoted. Perhaps there are other ways to thrive, and perhaps a big parking lot separates a congregation from its neighbors.
After his car broke down he faced the question of whether to replace it. As he pondered that question he discovered that his parish is quite bikable. He lived less than three miles from the church and most of his trips were less than three miles, which made his ministry rather bikable. That led to an evaluation of his neighborhood and its connection to the church. His reflections on the nature of his neighborhood (chapter 1) lead to an extended reflection on parking, and how parking lots function. He notes that parking lots are designed for temporary storage, so perhaps we don't need one or they can be utilized differently -- perhaps as the location of a community garden using straw bales. It's an intriguing conversation that raises again the connection of a congregation to its neighbors. He offers a variety of possibilities of how churches can become less dependent on parking lots/spots.
This isn't just a book about biking and parking. Norvell also addresses staffing (there may be gifted people within the congregation who can provide the kind of leadership needed without hiring additional clergy. He shares stories of how his congregation discovered just the right people in the pews. He discusses ways in which the building can be better utilized in service to the community. Of course, there's the question of money and how it is used (chapter 3).
You might think having a car would be a time-saving device, but perhaps not. Thus, Norvell reflects on his discovery that having car isn't necessarily a time saver, and that one can utilize biking for instance in double-duty ways -- if you're biking you're getting your daily exercise so that's one thing off the list. He also reflects on the concept of slow church that Chris Smith and John Pattison explored in their book Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus. But he also explores other ways of being present in the community such as using the local coffee shop as an auxiliary office so as to be available to the larger community.
Finally, we come to the challenge. That challenge is this -- are we willing to embrace risk. What he proposes is risky. Building a parking lot or relocating to the suburbs is the recommended means of renewing the church, but as some of us know, having a parking lot in a suburban community on a busy street doesn't guarantee success. So, are we ready and willing to take risks that might lead to renewal and ministry in the community?
This is a brief, readable, thought-provoking book. Contexts are different and not everything suggested will work in every situation, but even if that's true we can learn from what Travis Norvell has discovered in his ministry in Minneapolis. Being that this is a practical guide, he includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter, along with a set of suggested readings that extend the discussion. Something you might not expect in such a guide is a recipe that might prove empowering for this work.
If you're intrigued and ready to take some risks, this might be a book for you!
March 12, 2026
Finished this book tonight. Gave me a lot to think about with regard to how churches engage with their local neighborhoods.
It was recommended by @breenwithab who "Loved it". That was enough for me to find a copy at the @hclib.
Travis Norvell ( @thepedalingpastor) and I met through biking connections. The funnest part of reading the book was getting to know Judson Memorial Baptist Church ( @judsonchurch41) in South Minneapolis (41st & Harriet). Also getting more insight into the heart of their Pedaling Pastor. The hardest part of reading this book was how challenging it is. Change doesn't just happen. It takes intention, and it takes risk.
It was also fun to see @crankyruby mentioned in the book more than once! Hi Michele!
If you're looking for a good affirming church in South Mpls that rejects Christian Nationalism and leans into issues of justice, check them out. Don't let the "B" word in their name scare you. They're American Baptist, not Southern Baptist. It's a world of difference.
It was recommended by @breenwithab who "Loved it". That was enough for me to find a copy at the @hclib.
Travis Norvell ( @thepedalingpastor) and I met through biking connections. The funnest part of reading the book was getting to know Judson Memorial Baptist Church ( @judsonchurch41) in South Minneapolis (41st & Harriet). Also getting more insight into the heart of their Pedaling Pastor. The hardest part of reading this book was how challenging it is. Change doesn't just happen. It takes intention, and it takes risk.
It was also fun to see @crankyruby mentioned in the book more than once! Hi Michele!
If you're looking for a good affirming church in South Mpls that rejects Christian Nationalism and leans into issues of justice, check them out. Don't let the "B" word in their name scare you. They're American Baptist, not Southern Baptist. It's a world of difference.
March 3, 2022
As a retired pastor with decades of pastoral ministry, I decided to read this new book by Judson Press about community ministry. What a gem this story of ministry is! Pastor Norvell has a vision for reviving/renewing/restoring congregations among us who had seen better days long ago. And the vision IS very practical!
I have read many books about church growth and church renewal over the years, but this one stands out as an active pastoral approach that grabbed my attention and has me thinking about the possibilities within a stagnant community. It is visionary and also, very practical! Each chapter concludes with questions for thought/discussion, resource suggestions for further reading, and a RECIPE to make just for delicious fun!
For those pastors and congregations who think there is nothing left to do, for the discouraged who can't see a way to build the community of faith where they are right now, here is the book you need to inspire and motivate the church, with "God doing a new thing"! Thank you, Pastor Norvell! This book is a breath of FRESH AIR that is much needed!
I have read many books about church growth and church renewal over the years, but this one stands out as an active pastoral approach that grabbed my attention and has me thinking about the possibilities within a stagnant community. It is visionary and also, very practical! Each chapter concludes with questions for thought/discussion, resource suggestions for further reading, and a RECIPE to make just for delicious fun!
For those pastors and congregations who think there is nothing left to do, for the discouraged who can't see a way to build the community of faith where they are right now, here is the book you need to inspire and motivate the church, with "God doing a new thing"! Thank you, Pastor Norvell! This book is a breath of FRESH AIR that is much needed!
April 15, 2022
This is an excellent overview of connecting with your neighborhood in ministry. Walking, biking, and taking public transit remind us that church is not just someplace we go to for worship or for our job, it is a community that is part of a greater community. Getting to know the community well will make us better pastors and churches. Surprisingly, I received a mention in the book for setting up "The Pastor Is In" signs at a local coffee shop, and during the pandemic, holding outdoor office hours on the lawn of the church with a card table and chairs. Norvell shares more ideas and insights since he started riding his bike instead of driving. I ended up buying a bike last week and am now commuting more often by bike to the office than by car, and feel more connected to nature and myself. This is a fun inspirational book about small church ministry and connecting the community, participating in social justice, and listening to those around us.
March 19, 2022
Church on the Move is very well written with so much wisdom and inspiration. As a retired pastor, I think of the church's I served over the years and wish I had this book! Yes, Pastor Norvell's focus is on neighborhood-city churches, but there is much wisdom for suburban and small-town congregations/ministries, as well. I know Pastor Norvell, personally, and as I was reading, I could see and feel his presence "on the move," along with Judson Church and the whole neighborhood.
June 10, 2022
life giving book
This book gives practical advice and sparks new ideas about moving outside the church doors. Simple ideas that are relatively easy to put into practice. Good for small churches
This book gives practical advice and sparks new ideas about moving outside the church doors. Simple ideas that are relatively easy to put into practice. Good for small churches
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews