Churches and the Crisis of Decline, Andrew Root
Churches and the Crisis of Decline, Andrew Root
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Churches and the Crisis of Decline
A Hopeful, Practical Ecclesiology for a Secular Age

Author: Andrew Root

Narrator: Mike Lenz

Unabridged: 12 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/28/2023

Synopsis

Congregations often seek to combat the crisis of decline by using innovation to produce new resources. But leading practical theologian Andrew Root shows that the church's crisis is not in the loss of resources; it's in the loss of life—and that life can only return when we remain open to God's encountering presence.

This new book, related to Root's critically acclaimed Ministry in a Secular Age project, addresses the practical form the church must take in a secular age. Root uses two stories to frame the book: one about a church whose building becomes a pub and the other about Karl Barth. Root argues that Barth should be understood as a pastor with a deep practical theology that can help church leaders today.

This book pushes the church to be a waiting community that recognizes that the only way for it to find life is to stop seeing the church as the star of its own story. Instead of resisting decline, congregations must remain open to divine action. Root offers a rich vision for the church's future that moves away from an obsession with relevance and resources and toward the living God.

About Andrew Root

Andrew Root is Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Faith Formation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Congregation in a Secular Age, Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Church after Innovation, and The End of Youth Ministry? Root is also coauthor (with Kenda Creasy Dean) of The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. He is a frequent speaker and hosts the popular and influential When Church Stops Working podcast.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Robert

Is the church experiencing a crisis of decline? As one who has spent a lifetime in the church, part of which has been spent in pastoral ministry, I can attest to the fact that things are not going well. I've had my hopes and dreams, I've even written about this in a variety of works including a book......more

Goodreads review by Dina

Root brings theology to life with an alternative to the same old story about a church in decline on the verge of closure. What if a church was renewed by a new visitor seeking to know God? Root weaves in some history with the parallel story of Karl Barth. It’s a lot of accomplish but instead of feel......more

Goodreads review by Conrade

Saying that the Church in the West is on the decline is nothing new. The Church at large is in a crisis. Even before the pandemic, many churches are already in dire straits. Older people are decreasing with attrition. Young people are leaving because of disillusion. The majority of the rest in betwe......more

Goodreads review by Steven

Essential reading for every pastor and ministry leader - from a trusted and creative scholar who gets ministry and brings theology to life. Love this book.......more

Goodreads review by Pam

This is a helpful and hopeful book for pastors and church leaders. This book requires some honest hard thinking about how churches see themselves and their work. It will not give you 5 Ways to Raise your Attendance. It will help you think about how your congregation can authentically show up for one......more

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