Living the Faith Community: The Church That Makes a Difference (Seabury Classics)

By John H. Westerhoff III

"Well-known educator in the church, John Westerhoff examines the Church as family and the nature and need for community. His section on alternative consciousness is excellent: 'If we can change a people's consciousness, we can change the world.' --The Living Church Living the Faith Community is an eloquent summary of all that the church is called to be, an exploration of the reasons why Christians long to be in community, and the quality of the communities they need. In this systhesis of family, story, ritual, and church, Westerhoff shows how it is possible to find identity in a "faith family" that has been formed by the story of God, both Scripture and creed. The book begins with Christians' basic need for those communities without which they cannot receive, sustain, or deepen their faith. The four essentials of religious community are a common story and memory, a common authority, common rituals, and a fulfilling common life. Successsive chapters describe with clarity and insight the narrative characters of church life, the role of worship, the importance of liturgy to Christian nurture, and the role of catechesis in forming Spirit-filled community.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596280034
• ISBN13: 9781596280038
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Seabury Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.6" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Integrated Christian Education

"Each new book of John Westerhoff's cements my belief that he is one today's prophets. This latest work is an exciting synthesis of family, story, ritual, and church that shows us what we can be as a people of God when we integrate our ministries. I highly recommend it for all in parish ministry who are trying to put it all together and create the living faith community for which we yearn." -- Delores Curran (from the back cover of the book)