The development of meaningful relationships, where every member carries a significant sense of belonging, is central to what it means to be the church. So why do many Christians feel disappointed and disillusioned with their efforts to experience authentic community? Despite the best efforts of pastors, small group leaders, and faithful lay persons, church too often is a place of loneliness rather than connection.Church can be so much better. So intimate and alive. The Connecting Church tells you how. The answer may seem radical today, but it was a central component of life in the early church. First-century Christians knew what it meant to live in vital community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made "the body of Christ" a perfect metaphor for the church. What would it take to reclaim that kind of love, joy, support, and dynamic spiritual growth? Read this book and find out.
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"A way to structure your daily life that provides time for family and community. Excellent for both those thinking about small group community and those who are just overwhelmed with daily business. Our family got some good nuggets out of this. " — Deanna (4 out of 5 stars)
"A way to structure your daily life that provides time for family and community. Excellent for both those thinking about small group community and those who are just overwhelmed with daily business. Our family got some good nuggets out of this. "
" A LOT of good stuff here. "
" Love the theory. Wondering how practical it would be for people to live it out. "
" This is a great read for the relationship side of church small groups. So far, it provides a penetrating analysis of the reasons small groups are not working in many churches for many people. "
" A very helpful, practical book with a great vision for helping Christian re-connect with the community through their own neighborhoods. "
" Another book that has shaped my worldview. "
" Uh, we have light bulbs now. That would be just one reason we aren't keeping the same schedule as ancient Israel these days. "
" This is a great book for newlyweds or new families. It is a great book for prioritizilng your time. "
" Randy Frazee talks about simplifying our schedules, following a 6 am - 10 pm day, ending all work at 6 pm to spend time with family and friends. It's quite a challenge and interesting thought. "
" I love this book. Living life by the "Hebrew day planner" is just too good. Frazee rocks and I love his call to simplicity. "
Randy Frazee is the senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. A leader and innovator in spiritual formation and biblical community, Randy is the creator of The Story church engagement campaign. He is the author of The Heart of The Story, The Connecting Church 2.0, and The Christian Life Profile Assessment. He also coauthored Real Simplicity with his wife Rozanne.
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is a celebrated spiritual author and sought-after speaker. A native of North Carolina, he is a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School. In 2003 he and his wife founded the Rutba House, a house of hospitality where the homeless are welcomed into a community that eats, prays, and shares life together. He is also an associate minister at the historically black St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church. An evangelical Christian who connects with the broad spiritual tradition and its monastic witnesses, he is a leader in the New Monasticism movement. He speaks often about emerging Christianity to churches and conferences across the denominational spectrum, and he has given lectures at dozens of universities. He is a complier of the celebrated Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals and is the author of several books on Christian spirituality, including The Awakening of Hope, The Wisdom of Stability, and The New Monasticism.
Jonathan Peterson, a director of executive communications at AARP, is a longtime journalist who specializes in making complex issues easy to understand. His interest in Social Security began when he covered the political debate in Washington that led to major reforms in 1983. During his twenty-three year career with the Los Angeles Times, he explored the aging of America, domestic policy, and the US economy. He has won numerous awards for journalism and speechwriting. He was on the Los Angeles Times team that won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the LA riots and was awarded the Malcolm Forbes Prize by the Overseas Press Club for in-depth stories about the collapsing Soviet Union.
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