Christianity for the Rest of Us

  • Author: Diana Butler Bass
  • Narrator: Karen Saltus
  • Publisher: HarperCollins USA
  • Duration: 10:52:12
preview

Synopsis

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.

Chapters

  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_01_Intro

    Duration: 28min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_02_Pt1Ch1

    Duration: 28min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_03_Ch2

    Duration: 33min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_04_Ch3

    Duration: 31min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_05_Ch4

    Duration: 38min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_06_Pt2Ch5

    Duration: 36min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_07_Ch6

    Duration: 33min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_08_Ch7

    Duration: 28min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_09_Ch8

    Duration: 29min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_10_Ch9

    Duration: 32min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_11_Ch10

    Duration: 32min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_12_Ch11

    Duration: 31min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_13_Ch12

    Duration: 32min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_14_Ch13

    Duration: 36min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_15_Ch14

    Duration: 34min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_16_Pt3Ch15

    Duration: 53min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_17_Ch16

    Duration: 38min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_18_Ch17

    Duration: 57min
  • ChristianityForTheRestOfUs_19_Epilogue

    Duration: 13min
  • sample

    Duration: 01min