
The Precarious Church
Redeeming the Body of Christ
Martyn Percy(Editor)
Canterbury Press Norwich
Published on 19. May 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-78622-511-5 (ISBN)
Description
What is the biggest threat facing churches today? Not enough young people? Too little mission and evangelism? Unsustainable buildings? Unappealing styles of worship? Not enough diversity? Whatever the reasons, the church today seems to exist in a state of anxiety, concerned with its self-preservation.
In this bold and hopeful book, Martyn Percy argues that a being a broken church is in fact good news, as it is only through the cracks that the overwhelming abundance of God can shine through. This collection of essays and reflections considers what it means to be a precarious church. The term suggests uncertainty and peril, yet it is rooted in the Latin precatio, meaning prayer.
It argues that the Church's vocation is not to be successful or even to survive but to be precarious, liminal, unpredictable and mysterious - a place of encounter with the holy. The questions that should consume us are not, "how shall we remove the risks and alleviate our anxieties?", but rather "how shall we live in this age of uncertainty?" Every age has had its uncertainties and this inspiring volume explores what faithfulness to each other and to God looks like in an age of anxiety.
In this bold and hopeful book, Martyn Percy argues that a being a broken church is in fact good news, as it is only through the cracks that the overwhelming abundance of God can shine through. This collection of essays and reflections considers what it means to be a precarious church. The term suggests uncertainty and peril, yet it is rooted in the Latin precatio, meaning prayer.
It argues that the Church's vocation is not to be successful or even to survive but to be precarious, liminal, unpredictable and mysterious - a place of encounter with the holy. The questions that should consume us are not, "how shall we remove the risks and alleviate our anxieties?", but rather "how shall we live in this age of uncertainty?" Every age has had its uncertainties and this inspiring volume explores what faithfulness to each other and to God looks like in an age of anxiety.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
369 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78622-511-5 (9781786225115)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2023
Canterbury Press
€29.99
Available for download
Person
Martyn Percy is a striking prophetic voice in today's church and is in demand internationally as a speaker. He was formerly Dean of Christ Church, Oxford and Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon.