Energizing the Congregation: Images That Shape Your Church's Ministry / Edition 1

by Carl S. Dudley, Sally A. Johnson

Overview

According to Carl Dudley and Sally Johnson, the discovery of strong and compelling congregational self-images binds church members together and energizes ministry. They describe five images of churches' relationships to their communities over time—the Survivor, Prophet, Pillar, Pilgrim, and Servant styles—thus allowing churches to gain the knowledge necessary to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664253592
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	03/01/1993
Series:	Images That Shape Your Church's Ministry
Edition description:	1st ed
Pages:	132
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Carl S. Dudley was Professor of Church and Community at Hartford Seminary and co-Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research in Hartford, Connecticut. Dudley was nationally known for his work in mobilizing local churches for community ministries, and is recognized for his long history of working for such causes as the peace movement, civil rights for the incarcerated, and housing reform. He is the author, co-author, or editor of sixteen books, including, Basic Steps Toward Community Ministry and Carriers of Faith: Lessons from Congregational Studies.

Sally A. Johnson is an associate of the Center for Church and Community Ministries in Chicago and a consulting staff member of the metropolitan Chicago affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

Editorial Reviews

In an attempt to revitalize churches of different denominations, the authors describe characteristics of congregations and members' perceptions of their congregations using five images of the church community relationships: pillar, pilgrim, survivor, prophet, and servant. Articulating these images, which may otherwise be unconscious, leads to congregational empowerment and to new ministries within the congregation. The book focuses on five churches and their self-images and mixing of new images; the churches have diverse affiliations representing inner city, suburban, and rural environments. Highly recommended for seminary libraries.

Library Journal