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The decline this century in church attendance has been pronounced. And polls show disconcerting ignorance about religious matters even among churchgoers. Is there a path to spiritual and church renewal? And what will become the shape of American Christianity this century?

As an accompanying volume to James M. Dawsey’s Handbook for the Christian Faith, this workbook offers a summary of essential beliefs and practices of the faith; identifies significant terms, names, dates, and events in church history; lists themes and materials to be learned; provides exercises; and suggests additional readings to enhance understanding. The materials will prove of interest to all wanting to understand the role played by Christianity in western culture and to decipher the chaos of present-day American Christianity.

But the Study Guide and Workbook for Spiritual and Church Renewal will be especially useful to Christians working through the Handbook for the Christian Faith, reflecting more deeply on the meaning of the Christian heritage and seeking to discern a right path for contemporary Christianity. The exercises in this workbook extend beyond understanding Christianity as a religion to readers better understanding themselves as Christians. How shall we be faithful followers of Christ?

James M. Dawsey is professor and Wolfe Chair of Religious Studies at Emory and Henry College, Virginia. He is an ordained United Methodist minister and author of The Lukan Voice: Confusion and Irony in the Gospel of Luke (1986), Peter's Last Sermon: Identity and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark (2010), From Wasteland to Promised Land: Liberation Theology for a Post-Marxist World (1992), and more than eighty other monographs, novels, and articles in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.



Sharon E. Wright is the chaplain and director of spiritual life at Emory and Henry College and cominister of the Emory United Methodist Church, Virginia.






Scott Sikes is the director of Emory and Henry's Appalachian Center for Civic Life with expertise in building community and is pastor of the Rock Spring Presbyterian Church, Virginia.