Bass, Christianity for the Rest of Us

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Diana Butler Bass, Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith. HarperOne, 2007. 

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Referenced in: Research and Case Studies on Effective Churches

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This volume is the third book by Bass that reflects the findings of “The Project on Congregations In Intentional Practice” out of Virginia Theological Seminary, which studied fifty mainline denominational congregations that were experiencing revitalization. Ten of these were chosen for more in-depth study. The first volume that came out of this project was Practicing Congregation, followed by the second, From Nomads to Pilgrims.

In this work, Bass focused more specifically on the ten “Signposts of Renewal” that were found consistently in these churches:

  • Hospitality
  • Discernment
  • Healing
  • Contemplation
  • Testimony
  • Diversity
  • Justice
  • Worship
  • Reflection
  • Beauty

From the Publisher

For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America’s mainline Protestant churches are in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true, and this book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the opposite—that many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.

Christianity for the Rest of Us describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager to remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. As Butler Bass delved into the rich spiritual life of various Episcopal, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran churches, certain consistent practices—such as hospitality, contemplation, diversity, justice, discernment, and worship—emerged as core expressions of congregations seeking to rediscover authentic Christian faith and witness today.

This hopeful book, which includes a study guide for groups and individuals, reveals the practical steps that leaders and laypeople alike are taking to proclaim an alternative message about an emerging Christianity that strives for greater spiritual depth and proactively engages the needs of the world.

About the Author

Diana Butler Bass is the author of seven books, including Christianity for the Rest of Us and The Practicing Congregation. She earned her Ph.D. in church history from Duke University and has taught at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Rhodes College, and Virginia Theological Seminary. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.


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