
Faith in Community
Practices that Strengthen Churches and Neighborhoods
Brian Stiltner(Author)
T&T Clark (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 12. November 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
216 pages
979-8-7651-6789-2 (ISBN)
Description
In the face of polarization and disconnection in American society, congregations remain vital for helping people create authentic community. This resource teaches pastors and church members how to strengthen their congregations through practices such as hospitality and small-group sharing and how to build up their neighborhoods through public service and faith-based community organizing. Stiltner provides inspiration and advice for Christians who still have hope for community.
Stiltner argues that America's deepest crisis is a crisis of community. Drawing on six years of research in six congregations, Stiltner shows how churches can help rebuild social trust and strengthen civic life. Faith in Community offers a hopeful call for congregations to be the communities that God calls them to be, which will make their local communities stronger in the process.
Community is fragile these days, sometimes even in congregations. Stiltner contends that, in the face of political polarization and eroded social trust, Christians need to be very intentional about how they build community. What's most important for doing so, both within the congregation and as the congregation reaches out, is nurturing relationships. With numerous examples from his research, Stiltner develops strategies for community building that are doable for any church.
Stiltner argues that America's deepest crisis is a crisis of community. Drawing on six years of research in six congregations, Stiltner shows how churches can help rebuild social trust and strengthen civic life. Faith in Community offers a hopeful call for congregations to be the communities that God calls them to be, which will make their local communities stronger in the process.
Community is fragile these days, sometimes even in congregations. Stiltner contends that, in the face of political polarization and eroded social trust, Christians need to be very intentional about how they build community. What's most important for doing so, both within the congregation and as the congregation reaches out, is nurturing relationships. With numerous examples from his research, Stiltner develops strategies for community building that are doable for any church.
Reviews / Votes
Brian Stiltner knows that the Christian faith is inherently communal: Jesus Christ saves us as a group. After carefully studying six diverse, vital congregations, Brian has written a compelling, research-driven, wise book for pastors and church leaders. He vividly shows how churches can be gifts of God to a culture suffering from great fragmentation, division, and vast loneliness. Here's a practical, encouraging book that's matters right now for those who are called to lead the church into the future -- Will Willimon * Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, United Methodist Bishop, retired, author of The Church We Carry: Loss, Leadership, and the Future of Our Church *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-6789-2 (9798765167892)
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
Person
Brian Stiltner is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University, USA. He is the author of Toward Thriving Communities: Virtue Ethics as Social Ethics and Religion and the Common Good, and coauthor of Faith and Force: A Christian Debate about War. He has published articles and books chapters in Christian ethics and numerous posts at the "Go, Rebuild My House" Substack.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Crisis and the Call
1. Created to Belong: Theology and Ethics of Community
2. From "I" to "We": Congregations as Community Builders
3. A Home Away from Home: Hospitality and Small Groups
4. Called to Be Sent: Discipleship and Mission
5. Love Thy Neighborhood: Service and Partnerships
6. Living a Public Vision: Dialoguing and Organizing
Conclusion: Sharing the Joy of Community
Appendix: Methods Used in this Study
Discussion Questions
For Further Study
About the Author
Notes
Introduction: The Crisis and the Call
1. Created to Belong: Theology and Ethics of Community
2. From "I" to "We": Congregations as Community Builders
3. A Home Away from Home: Hospitality and Small Groups
4. Called to Be Sent: Discipleship and Mission
5. Love Thy Neighborhood: Service and Partnerships
6. Living a Public Vision: Dialoguing and Organizing
Conclusion: Sharing the Joy of Community
Appendix: Methods Used in this Study
Discussion Questions
For Further Study
About the Author
Notes