Fresh Expressions in the Sacramental Tradition: Ancient Faith, Future Mission

by Steven Croft (Editor), Katharine Jefferts Schori (Foreword), Ian Mobsby (Editor)

The spiritual practices and insights of the Anglican tradition make an extraordinary contribution to mission efforts in our postmodern, de-churched, never-churched, yet spiritually hungry society.

In this timely and practical book, pioneers, leaders and theologians from the US and the UK share their stories and offer reflections for building a future-focused, mission-shaped church that is deeply rooted in sacramental traditions.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian

182 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2009

Reviews

[Ryan]

This was a great book, and a good introduction to me, who has little experience with the "Fresh Expressions." Being Anglican myself (ESCUSA), I have as much, if not more, in common with Fresh Expressions than with the Emerging Church, although, there be no need to draw such a sharp distinction. But as an Anglican, there is something truly wonderful about these postmodern expressions of a traditional faith growing out of the Anglican spiritual and sacramental tradition. It makes me proud ;. The book covers a multitude of subject by various author/practitioners in the field of Fresh Expressions. Some of the highlights for me: Rowan Williams introductory chapter, Carl Turner's discussion on exploring essentials and non-essentials in worship, Michael Volland discussing the community Feig, Simon Rundell's chapter on Blesséd, and Karen Ward on COTA. Low-lights: unfortunately my distaste for authors like McLaren and Tickle was by no means challenged. McLaren displayed a classically liberal understanding of what is going on in the Church (as well as a strange affinity for categorizing people and explaining why the Brits are naturally emergent) and Tickle pushed her own reductionist project of denying any real dynamic to history other than according to her 500 year template. It also irritates me when authors describe trans-cultural phenomena in their own unique terms like "The Great Emergence." It seems silly. That aside, I would recommend this book.

[Michael Mayor]

A nice collection of essays that give insight into dynamics currently afoot in Anglicanism. My one critique, and it is significant, is that like most other works there is less insight and the breaking of new ground than is needed in the current environment. At times there is the sense of the comfortable complacency that allows for small changes to be seen as much more significant than they are.

[Kaylea]

Coming soon