Faithful Presence

Seven Disciplines That Shape the Church for Mission

De: David E. Fitch

Narrado por: Jim Denison

In our quest to renew the church, Christians have walked through seeker-friendly, emergent, missional, and other movements to develop new expressions of the body of Christ. Now, in the post-Christian world in North America, we're asking the question again: Is there a way to be the church that engages the world, not by judgment nor accommodation but by becoming the good news in our culture?

In Faithful Presence, noted pastor and scholar David Fitch offers a new vision for the witness of the church in the world. He argues that we have lost the intent and practice of the sacramental ways of the historic church, and he recovers seven disciplines that have been with us since the birth of the church. Through numerous examples and stories, he demonstrates how these revolutionary disciplines can help the church take shape in and among our neighborhoods, transform our way of life in the world, and advance the kingdom. This book will help you reenvision church, what you do in the name of church, and the way you lead a church. It recovers a future for the church that takes us beyond Christendom. Embrace the call to reimagine the church as the living embodiment of Christ, dwelling in and reflecting God's faithful presence to a world that desperately needs more of it.

©2017 eChristian (P)2017 eChristian

Rich Spirituality for Church and Mission

Fitch's work here is phenomenal. To put it into a short summary, his practices give the church a way into spiritual depth while remaining fully missional and aware of the love and power already at work in the world we all inhabit. To say the least, Fitch walks a narrow road which avoids a variety of pitfalls evangelicals like myself fall into or inherit.

We evangelicals are often presented with options that make our missionary efforts about methods which promise the result of conversion decisions from unbelievers, but don't change the lives of the church in substantial ways. Or options that prioritize the community of the church, but do not connect our practices as communities with the work of mission (which is inclusive of, but not limited to, the work of witness for the conversion of the unbelieving). Or we fall into the trap of seeing ourselves as a sort of social service agency meant to meet the material needs of communities whether or not the spiritual ones are met (which is a statement I'm sure Fitch would nuance better than I did here).

Fitch successfully avoids all of these by arguing for a vision of church life that aggressively practices the presence of God. Fitch believes that God is a constantly present reality to all people acting for the salvation of all people at all times. God is bringing his kingdom now in the church, but all will eventually experience this reality (whether it is accepted or not). The work of the church, then, is to be present with this reality of God at work in our lives. He suggests we do this by embodying several disciplines that orient us toward God's presence, but each of which is framed in a way that makes them simultaneously spiritually formative for the community of the church and deeply missional. I strongly recommend this book for church leaders struggling with questions of how to integrate church life and mission in a way that deepens both.

Twisted Scripture

He twists Scripture to make his point rather than letting the text make the point in context. His agenda around 3 circles is the lense through which he interprets the Word, ancient fathers, other authors, events and life illustrations. Sadly, he provides a great example of what not to do with Scripture.

What a disappointment!

Would you try another book from David E. Fitch and/or Jim Denison?

No.

What could David E. Fitch have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Less judgmental for a start. Less blunt -- one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. More humility. More down to earth. Some of his examples were horrific.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jim Denison’s performances?

Not really

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Faithful Presence?

The overly long and overly judgmental chapter on reconciliation. There are much better ways to broach the subject. Probably the best way for a Canadian to talk about the racial issues is the US is to talk about racial issues in Canada only. While speaking on difficult topics is good, it is not his place as a foreigner (in my humble opinion and practice).

Any additional comments?

I listen to a lot of books about spirituality. Most of them are helpful to me. I would have never selected this book except a church class used this book. The three-circle motiff is okay but not applicable to me. I wish I had never purchased this Audible book. I have never returned an Audible book but I will see if I can return this one.

off puttingly simpleton logic for such a complex subject.

arguments don't work. not as cohesively thought out as the author thinks it is.