Thoughts by a Fellow Blogger: A Book Review

I was searching on-line for information regarding reasons why mainline churches still matter and I stumbled upon an excellent review of Richard Hamm's book, Recreating the Church. This book has become a handy resource for churches like First Central and gives us some great food for thought.

The author of this blog is Pastor Bob Cornwall. Pastor Cornwall is the pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Troy, Michigan. He is also the editor of Sharing the Practice (Academy of Parish Clergy). Below you will find an excerpt from the blog, which summarizes Hamm's five reasons why mainline churches still matter:

"So, what are the values that the Mainline lifts up? First, there is the witness to the relationship of faith and reason. The mind and the spirit belong together, and this is a hallmark of the Mainline that Hamm sees being challenged by a creeping fundamentalism. Second, Mainline schools educate rather than indoctrinate. They allow freedom to explore and dissent – critical thinking is encouraged. Third, the Mainline perspective encourages the development of a world view that “analyzes reality both in terms of individuals and systems.” Sin, in essence takes on both individual and systemic form, and ultimately it is the systems that must be changed for progress to be made. Fourth, Mainline perspectives seek to be inclusive (though this is always a struggle) of persons, especially women and people of color. With regard to sexual orientation, a matter Hamm doesn’t speak to here, the Mainline is still struggling to know what to do. Finally, in terms of overseas involvements, the Mainline seeks to partner with indigenous people rather than deal with them in colonial fashion."


Click the following link to read a review of the book and learn more about the challenges and opportunities mainline churches face today:

http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com/2007/07/recreating-church-review.html

posted by the Blog Administrator