Faith Works: How Faith-Based Organizations Are Changing Lives, Neighborhoods, and America

by Jim Wallis

Today more people than ever are hungry for spirituality and community. But the most powerful and meaningful spirituality shows itself in action. Jim Wallis leads Call to Renewal, a dynamic new movement that is uniting politics and spirituality to ignite social change and overcome poverty. In this timely, exciting book, he shows how we can enrich our own lives by serving our communities. He compellingly demonstrates that going out and putting your faith to work is what really counts.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Christianity, Spirituality, Christian Living

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

JIM WALLIS is a globally respected writer, teacher, preacher, justice advocate, regular international commentator on ethics and public life, and mentor for a new generation. He is a New York Times bestselling author of twelve books, including Christ in Crisis, America's Original Sin, God's Politics and The Great Awakening. Wallis is the Founder of Sojourners. He served on President Obama's White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and has taught faith and public life courses at Harvard and Georgetown University. "Coach Jim" also served for 22 seasons as a Little League coach for his two baseball playing sons.

Reviews

[Psanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reports of what other nonprofits are accomplishing, but Wallis gets on his soapbox & starts to repeat himself.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The US context of this book requires a certain amount of cultural translation for British readers. Written just after the millennium it feels both already dated and prophetic in parts. He picks up passionately on racism and parts of the book could easily be written in the light of the Black Lives Matter movement (but what, in the past century, couldn't?). Elsewhere his hopes that America might yet be able to move beyond political tribalism seems sadly unfulfilled in the age of Trump.

At its heart Faith Works is a manifesto with practical suggestions, much of which do still apply in the Twenty First century and in Britain.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallis has a positive message. Unfortunately, the election of The Orange Headed One makes it impossible to believe Wallis's path exists 18 years after the book was written.
A longer review is up at www.cloquetriverpress.com.
Peace.
Mark

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this the most important book Wallis has ever written, mainly because of the chapter "Listen To Those Closest To The Problem". Rarely do helpers consider hearing what those they propose to help think and want. Wallis gives compelling reasons and backs up those reasons with facts. I once spoke with him about this chapter, and he replied, "Once people decide to try forming their policy by listening to those on the bottom, they never want to go back to the authoritarian way. But getting them to try it is very difficult... they resist in every way they can."

[Joann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great points. Old research now, pre-9/11, and long. But still thought-provoking. Good.