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Becoming a Blessed Church: Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose, Presence, and Power
Becoming an Intentional Congregation
by Teresa Blythe
One of the churches participating in Diana Butler Bass’ Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice is Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. Its pastor, Graham Standish, is a spiritual director and enthusiastic writer on spiritual practices, and he shares in this book some of his experiences and successes at Calvin—a growing and vibrant congregation committed to constant discerning of where God is leading them to be of service in their community. Standish sets the groundwork by explaining what he means by a “Blessed Church.” It’s not that the congregation is particularly financially wealthy or is experiencing such numerical growth that it’s bursting at the seams. A blessed church is one that is healthy and “grounded in relationship with God.” As simple and as difficult as that is.
This book is a gem for pastors, session members and governing boards because it tells enough stories and shares enough personal experience to be useful for support and encouragement as churches try on this new “intentional” way of being. Much of the book centers around strong spiritual leadership in churches—and he has sound advice for anyone attempting to introduce or incorporate Christian spiritual practices, especially contemplative ones, in congregations that have, in the past, been more functional and rational than mystical.
And, yes, there are some step-by-step guides for leading the “blessed church” in the spiritual practices. The Appendices include a possible session agenda, a discernment process, a budgeting process and stewardship materials.
The next time you despair over some pronouncement about the decline of mainline churches, or if you are tempted to believe that only the conservative “mega-churches” are thriving, grab this book, read a section of it and then say a prayer of gratitude because blessed churches are emerging all over the place. —Teresa Blythe
Becoming a Blessed Church: Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose, Presence and Power, by N. Graham Standish (The Alban Institute, 2005, 242 p; $18.00, paper; www.alban.org).
Reprinted with permission from Presbyterians Today magazine.
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