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Why Liberal Churches are Growing is a fascinating journey through different case studies, social science reflection, and theological analysis. The contributors include sociologists, theologians, and practical theologians. The book has four sections. The first, ''defining themes'', looks at the social justice witness (community organizing), church growth as conversational, and the challenge of turning liberal churches around.The book then looks at three case studies - starting with congregations and moving to a denomination. Under the heading ''macro issues'' it explores in more detail the underlying disposition of liberal churches and revisits such themes as social justice, homosexuality, and alternative indicators of vitality. The book concludes with three essays on ''clergy and growth''.>
List of contents
ForewordHeidi Hadsell IntroductionIan Markham and Martyn Percy Defining Themes Chapter 1 Community Organizing as Lived Faith Patrick T. Gray Chapter 2Conversational Church Growth John Thomson Chapter 3Reorganizing the Chairs on the Titanic Ian Jones Case Studies Chapter 4The Lord is Here: The Nine o' Clock Service John Rogerson Chapter 5The Shape of Things to Come Simon Taylor Chapter 6It's, Not All About Uus Terasa Cooley Macro Issues Chapter 7Paradox and Persuasion Martyn Percy Chapter 8Social Justice and Church Court Ben Watts Chapter 9Open and Affirming of Growth Scott Thumma Chapter 10Oldline Protestantism David Roozen Clergy and Growth Chapter 11Theological Match between Pastor and Congregations Adair Lummis Chapter 12Two Conditions for a Growing Liberal Church Ian Markham Chapter 13A View from the Pew Martyn Percy and Emma Percy
About the author
Ian Markham
