Scattering Seeds

Cultivating Church Vitality

By (author) Stephen Chapin Garner author of "Getting into Character" With Jerry Thornell

Paperback - £19.99

Publication date:

27 January 2010

Length of book:

190 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

215x140mm
6x8"

ISBN-13: 9781566994224

In Scattering Seeds: Cultivating Church Vitality, Stephen Chapin Garner and Jerry Thornell share the story of their home congregation, the United Church of Christ in Norwell, MA. This average congregation has approached congregational life in a not-so-average way. Each congregant is seen as a minister, bringing the good news of Christ to the community; the church has moved away from boards and committees, instead utilizing the people to form ministry teams; and they have revitalized the way they approach and practice worship and education. Garner and Thornell don't claim to have the secret to church growth and vitality, but in sharing the story of their simple church in New England, they give hope and innovative ideas to congregations in regions all over the country.
The religious landscape of our country today is a picture of general decline, but with pockets of vitality—dynamic congregations energized by the Holy Spirit in ways that are inspiring and instructive. They play the role the abbeys played during the Dark Ages, preserving the tradition and building upon it. Chapin Garner serves just such a faith community. There is so much we can learn from him and from the congregation he leads.