The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church

Bass author of Grounded: Finding God in the World?A Spiritual Revolution, Diana Butler

ISBN 10: 1566993059 / ISBN 13: 9781566993050

Published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2004

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1566993059
• ISBN 13: 9781566993050
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

The conventional wisdom about mainline Protestantism maintains that it is a dying tradition, irrelevant to a postmodern society, unresponsive to change, and increasingly disconnected from its core faith tenets. In her provocative new book, historian and researcher Diana Butler Bass argues that there are signs that mainline Protestant churches are indeed changing, finding a new vitality intentionally grounded in Christian practices and laying the groundwork for a new type of congregation. The Practicing Congregation tracks these changes by looking at the overall history of American congregations, noting the cultural trends that have sparked change, and providing evidence of how mainline churches are reappropriating traditional Christian practices. The signs of life that Bass identifies lead the reader beyond the crumbling "liberal vs. conservative" dualities to a more nuanced and fluid understanding of the shape of contemporary ecclesiology and faithfulness. In so doing, she helps readers understand tradition in new ways and creates an alternative path through the culture wars that today arrest the energies of most denominations. Invigorated by stories from Bass's own experience, The Practicing Congregation provides a hopeful and exciting vision for the church. The imaginative "retraditioning" she identifies and celebrates will guide pastors and other leaders on this "pilgrimage of creating church" and convincingly counter the naysayers that long ago gave up on the viability of the mainline church.

About the Author

Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D. (Duke University) is an award-winning author of a dozen books, a speaker, preacher, and a trusted commentator on religion and contemporary spirituality. Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, CNN Opinion, On Being, and Readers Digest. She has appeared on CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, and other global news outlets. She currently writes The Cottage, one of the most widely-read Substack newsletters. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.