Reconciling Mission: Realizing God’s Reign through Community Engagement
Autor Alastair McKay, David Brubakeren Limba Engleză Paperback – 22 ian 2026
What does it take for local churches to engage in more mutually respectful ways with our neighbors and local organizations? This book offers theoretical and theological reflections, distils wisdom from recent research and connects this with local case studies-which tell powerful stories drawn from both the US and UK.
The authors provide a vision of Christian community engagement which places God's reconciling work at the center. Successive chapters address the full spectrum of how congregations engage their communities-from meeting felt needs, to raising awareness, to advocating for change, to organizing with multiple organizational partners and community residents. This book resources congregational and non-profit leaders, in rural, suburban, and urban settings, to listen more deeply to the people in their local context, and to unearth new treasure together.
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Specificații
ISBN-13: 9781538190517
ISBN-10: 1538190516
Pagini: 184
Ilustrații: 21 b/w photos
Dimensiuni: 150 x 226 x 14 mm
Greutate: 0.3 kg
Editura: Bloomsbury Publishing
Colecția T&T Clark
Locul publicării:New York, United States
ISBN-10: 1538190516
Pagini: 184
Ilustrații: 21 b/w photos
Dimensiuni: 150 x 226 x 14 mm
Greutate: 0.3 kg
Editura: Bloomsbury Publishing
Colecția T&T Clark
Locul publicării:New York, United States
Cuprins
UK Foreword: Samuel Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, UK
US Foreword: Nancy Ammerman, USA
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Big Picture and Foundational Stories
2. Applying Reconciling Mission Insights in England
3. Collaborating to Meet Community Needs in Arizona
4. Raising Awareness and Pursuing Justice in Wisconsin
5. Neighborhood-Based Community Development in Montana
6. Applying an Asset-Based Approach in England
7. Concluding Threads
Notes
Recommended Further Reading and Resources
Index
US Foreword: Nancy Ammerman, USA
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Big Picture and Foundational Stories
2. Applying Reconciling Mission Insights in England
3. Collaborating to Meet Community Needs in Arizona
4. Raising Awareness and Pursuing Justice in Wisconsin
5. Neighborhood-Based Community Development in Montana
6. Applying an Asset-Based Approach in England
7. Concluding Threads
Notes
Recommended Further Reading and Resources
Index
Recenzii
In recent years there has continued to be much talk about church growth, not least in response to a narrative of decline in church attendance. However, growth is not all about numbers - it is about the flourishing of interdependent individuals of all ages and backgrounds in an adventure of encounter, rooted in Jesus Christ. We are created for relationship and community, and this book focuses on the growth of the local church's engagement with neighbours and community organisations. Through deepening those relationships and finding ways to work collaboratively in partnership with people and organisations of peace, there is exciting potential to see more of God's reconciling kingdom being made real in our local communities. This book offers encouragement, practical insights and hopeful examples in the adventure of joining in with God's kingdom transformation. I am delighted to commend this book.
The future of churches in the western world rests on their ability to create a two-way flow across their boundary with whatever people they discern are their "community". McKay and Brubaker know this and offer us in this excellent book sound theological and biblical foundations for making the move into being an "open system" which expands the reign of God. Reconciling Mission is also a deeply practical work, you will read here of churches on both sides of the Atlantic who have sought out God beyond themselves in the fine (and often fraught) detail of the craft of working in partnership. Study and digest this book, and then work out what reconciling mission will look like in your place; I can guarantee it won't look like any of the initiatives described here, but you can be sure from what is written here that it is entirely possible.
McKay and Brubaker shift our focus away from fear of decline in our churches, to noticing the signs of God at work beyond, sometimes in places and among people we least expect. In this missionary movement outwards, we shouldn't be surprised that we will find Jesus, working in and through the angels that we entertain. These angels can often take the shape of apparent strangers outside the church. The authors re-open our eyes to ways that God's Kingdom is breaking in all around us. In so doing, they help us to know and grow the beautiful blessing of God upon our local neighbourhoods.
Reconciling Mission is a timely, hopeful, and practical contribution to conversations about the church's future in the West. Instead of recycling old strategies or succumbing to decline narratives, the authors call congregations into Spirit-led discernment, rooted in local context, genuine relationships, and collaborative community engagement. Drawing on experience, theological depth, and real case studies, they offer a refreshing alternative to anxiety-driven growth models and invite churches into imaginative, justice-seeking, community-centred renewal. I recommend this book as a great resource to all people engaged in mission, whether in situations of conflict or not.
This book clearly names and provides evidence of what so many of us have seen firsthand: when congregations turn toward their neighborhoods with humility, curiosity, and courage, the Spirit does astonishing work that renews both the church and the community, often at the same time.
The future of churches in the western world rests on their ability to create a two-way flow across their boundary with whatever people they discern are their "community". McKay and Brubaker know this and offer us in this excellent book sound theological and biblical foundations for making the move into being an "open system" which expands the reign of God. Reconciling Mission is also a deeply practical work, you will read here of churches on both sides of the Atlantic who have sought out God beyond themselves in the fine (and often fraught) detail of the craft of working in partnership. Study and digest this book, and then work out what reconciling mission will look like in your place; I can guarantee it won't look like any of the initiatives described here, but you can be sure from what is written here that it is entirely possible.
McKay and Brubaker shift our focus away from fear of decline in our churches, to noticing the signs of God at work beyond, sometimes in places and among people we least expect. In this missionary movement outwards, we shouldn't be surprised that we will find Jesus, working in and through the angels that we entertain. These angels can often take the shape of apparent strangers outside the church. The authors re-open our eyes to ways that God's Kingdom is breaking in all around us. In so doing, they help us to know and grow the beautiful blessing of God upon our local neighbourhoods.
Reconciling Mission is a timely, hopeful, and practical contribution to conversations about the church's future in the West. Instead of recycling old strategies or succumbing to decline narratives, the authors call congregations into Spirit-led discernment, rooted in local context, genuine relationships, and collaborative community engagement. Drawing on experience, theological depth, and real case studies, they offer a refreshing alternative to anxiety-driven growth models and invite churches into imaginative, justice-seeking, community-centred renewal. I recommend this book as a great resource to all people engaged in mission, whether in situations of conflict or not.
This book clearly names and provides evidence of what so many of us have seen firsthand: when congregations turn toward their neighborhoods with humility, curiosity, and courage, the Spirit does astonishing work that renews both the church and the community, often at the same time.