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Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith Audiobook
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(3.04) - 489 listener ratings
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For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America's mainline Protestant churches are in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true, and this book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the opposite—that many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.
Christianity for the Rest of Us describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager to remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. As Butler Bass delved into the rich spiritual life of various Episcopal, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran churches, certain consistent practices—such as hospitality, contemplation, diversity, justice, discernment, and worship—emerged as core expressions of congregations seeking to rediscover authentic Christian faith and witness today.
This hopeful book, which includes a study guide for groups and individuals, reveals the practical steps that leaders and laypeople alike are taking to proclaim an alternative message about an emerging Christianity that strives for greater spiritual depth and proactively engages the needs of the world.
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"I thought this book was important enough to buy several extra copies to share with friends at church. It reaffirms much of what we do and hold important in my own church. Our pastor of 37 years is retiring and I think this book will help us formulate a vision for ourselves as a transformative church and assist us in the process of calling a new pastor to share that vision. Discernment as a Christian practice will be critical, and we may need some training in this area."
— Karin (4 out of 5 stars)
Christianity for the Rest of Us Listener Reviews
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" There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, and parts which really bothered me. By and large, I found myself agreeing with the author, if annoyed by some of the folks profiled. I guess it just feels like sometimes people tend to become very self-righteous when talking about what worship, or church community, or pastoral responsibility should or shouldn't look like, rather than traveling the journey that is theirs to travel with as much integrity as they can. If that makes sense. "
— Erica, 2/17/2014 -
" This is a scholarly, but not dry, examination of thriving mainline Christian congregations. "
— Linda, 2/3/2014 -
" This is a great look at renewal and revival in mainline churches. I found it encouraging and full of challenge. "
— Winton, 1/23/2014 -
" Strong start, but the rest of the book/research seems to repeat itself. Still, a great starting point for discussion in non-fundamentalist churches. "
— Deirdre, 1/23/2014 -
" I decided to stop reading it; not what I expected - but great book "
— Krista, 1/19/2014 -
" Have used this book as a tool for discussion in our Christian Education class at church. It's been very good. "
— Phil, 1/8/2014 -
" This is a good resource for (formerly) mainline churches. "
— Jan, 1/3/2014 -
" I have to think about this, will back later "
— Pam, 11/2/2013 -
" boring at times, but a good look at how the neighborhood church is making a comeback. "
— Diane, 11/2/2013 -
" We are reading this book for church council. I've only read 1 chapter, but really want to go back and read the rest. "
— Katie, 8/23/2013 -
" Our study/supper group at church is reading this book, a very interesting qualitative study of progressive congregations (like ours) around the country - complete with well-articulated methodology section. "
— JoBeth, 8/23/2013 -
" Very good overview of why many mainline Christian churches have become stagnant and why growing churches have succeeded (think roots). My former priest in Newport News, VA, is cited (currently rector at Epiphany, Washington, D.C.)...nice to see old friends. "
— Jaci, 6/6/2013 -
" A very interesting look at vital, mainline Protestant churches. Extra-interesting because it features my church. "
— Janie, 4/21/2013 -
" I am generally not a church "strategy" guy, and that is still true. This book brings up some important points however on issues within the current state of the church that all leaders should be aware of, important for self and church assessment. "
— Sean-david, 2/5/2013 -
" I'm enjoying this. I'm reading bits and pieces between the fiction I'm reading. I like the approaches some of the churches take. There is alot we can use, I think. "
— Jo, 5/23/2012 -
" This is a fantastic resource for progressive lay-leaders and clergy. "
— John, 4/16/2012 -
" Great book! Gives mainline protestants the encouragement needed to keep living out the Kingdom of God! "
— Brad, 11/23/2011 -
" This book gave me hope for the mainline Christian churches, one of which I belong to. We no longer have to take a back seat to our conservative brethren. "
— Ann, 10/27/2011 -
" This Baltimore native did study on Pew Grant of mainline churches which were "making it," thriving, and not ultra-conservative mega churches. Very interesting insights, author very winsome in person, heard her speak last week and read book in advance. Thought provoking as well. "
— Rhonda, 10/23/2011 -
" Gives wonderful alternatives to the mega-church movement and the take-over of the Religious Right. Very interesting to read what other churches are doing. "
— Crystal, 9/25/2011 -
" Great presentation that mainline Christianity isn't dying and is being transformed one little neighborhood church at a time. A must-read for any mainline leaders who want to broaden their church's presence. "
— Sherri, 9/6/2011 -
" boring at times, but a good look at how the neighborhood church is making a comeback. "
— Diane, 5/11/2011 -
" Great presentation that mainline Christianity isn't dying and is being transformed one little neighborhood church at a time. A must-read for any mainline leaders who want to broaden their church's presence. "
— Sherri, 9/8/2010 -
" I'm enjoying this. I'm reading bits and pieces between the fiction I'm reading. I like the approaches some of the churches take. There is alot we can use, I think. "
— Jo, 11/30/2009 -
" This book gave me hope for the mainline Christian churches, one of which I belong to. We no longer have to take a back seat to our conservative brethren. "
— Ann, 9/17/2009 -
" We are reading this book for church council. I've only read 1 chapter, but really want to go back and read the rest. "
— Katie, 4/20/2009 -
" Our study/supper group at church is reading this book, a very interesting qualitative study of progressive congregations (like ours) around the country - complete with well-articulated methodology section. "
— JoBeth, 3/17/2009 -
" This Baltimore native did study on Pew Grant of mainline churches which were "making it," thriving, and not ultra-conservative mega churches. Very interesting insights, author very winsome in person, heard her speak last week and read book in advance. Thought provoking as well. "
— Rhonda, 2/22/2009 -
" Gives wonderful alternatives to the mega-church movement and the take-over of the Religious Right. Very interesting to read what other churches are doing. "
— Crystal, 11/4/2008 -
" Very good overview of why many mainline Christian churches have become stagnant and why growing churches have succeeded (think roots). My former priest in Newport News, VA, is cited (currently rector at Epiphany, Washington, D.C.)...nice to see old friends. "
— Jaci, 10/11/2008 -
" This is a great look at renewal and revival in mainline churches. I found it encouraging and full of challenge. "
— Winton, 3/6/2008
About Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass is the author of numerous books on American religion, including Christianity after Religion, Christianity for the Rest of Us, and A People’s History of Christianity. She holds a PhD in religious studies from Duke University, has taught at the college and graduate level, and is an independent scholar. She was a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate and blogs for the Huffington Post and the Washington Post on issues of religion, spirituality, and culture. She is a popular speaker at conferences, colleges, universities, and churches across North America. Her website is DianaButlerBass.com and she can be followed on Twitter at @dianabutlerbass.
About Karen Saltus
Karen Saltus has narrated television and radio commercials, audiobooks, textbooks, multimedia, film, and voice prompts for interactive telephone applications. She began her career thirty years ago at a radio station in Portland, Maine. She later became a creative director for a station in Massachussetts. In 1994 she became a full-time freelance voice-over talent.