To Whom Shall We Go: Faith Responses in a Time of Crisis
Ebook
Overview
With the world turned upside down by the global pandemic, people of faith aligned to the upside-down kingdom of Jesus, are asking, how do we sing the Lord’s song in these times? How do we now live, worship, and serve amid such upheaval, insecurity, fear, grief, and social isolation? Is it just to endure the worst, or to seek the best by walking the way of the cross? Is there an invitation to renewed kingdom citizenship of heaven and earth? Our backgrounds will impact our responses as will our prayers, our scripture reflections, our worship, and our willingness to put the center of ourselves outside, to offer unlimited space for others. With backgrounds in medicine, physics, economics, missiology, theology, social activism, pastoral care, and spiritual companioning, these writers engage such questions. There is a cruciform shape to their reflections, and to the prayers and liturgies they include. We glimpse the One who is with us and for us in these troubled times, sharing our laments, fostering kingdom-heartedness, igniting our passions, offering tender mercies, decluttering our hearts, making peace, instilling courage, and inviting our participation. Though in crisis times our poverty of spirit is amplified, the kingdom of heaven is wide open.
With contributions from:
Terry Gatfield
Athena Gorospe
Ross McKenzie
Tim MCowan
Paul Mercer
Sarah Nicholl
Charles Ringma
“This is a book like no other! It offers a deep spirituality of hope when we are stuck in a crisis. But it does much more. These authors woo us into the presence of the God of hope through ancient and modern spiritual practices. . . . A rich breviary for today and tomorrow. Read it and learn to pray.”
—R. Paul Stevens, Professor Emeritus, Regent College, and author of Down-to-Earth Spirituality
“In a time when we are forced to live in suspension, out comes this book of signposts on how to navigate through the deep and dark ambiguities of the current pandemic. . . . This book is a most helpful companion for the journey, a precious keepsake we can take with us as we struggle for insight, for ways of critiquing systems and structures we have come to accept as normal because regnant with power and routinized.”
—Melba Padilla Maggay, president, Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture
“Covid-19 has swept like a scythe through the world. What was normal in every aspect of life in every part of the globe has been impacted. Here is a welcome potpourri of thoughtful reflections and prayers, along with questions for groups, based around the profound wisdom of the Beatitudes. It is an excellent and timely resource for this extraordinary time of social disruption, spiritual disorientation, and deep personal grief.”
—Tim Costello, executive director of Micah, Australia
“This book is a challenging gift. . . . The authors reflect on the Covid crisis through the lens of their own spirituality, their reflections on the Beatitudes, and their spiritual readings of the sages of the church. . . . To Whom Shall We Go is provocative, eliciting careful thought, reflection, prayer, and action, teaching us to broaden our hearts and strengthen our commitment to each other and to God.”
—Alan Gijsbers, former president, Healthserve Australia
“This is a book for those seeking substance for their souls. The authors come from different disciplines but share a strong but light-touch commitment to spiritual direction. This is expressed in a sustained engagement with our interior lives. Prayers, poems and liturgies bring reflectivity to the chapters. A substantial bibliography and helpful indexes round it off. A solidly satisfying meal for the whole person—truly a blessing.”
—Gordon Preece, director of Ethos: Evangelical Alliance Centre for Christianity and Society
- Title: To Whom Shall We Go: Faith Responses in a Time of Crisis
- Authors: Irene Alexander, Christopher Brown
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 198
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781725289574, 9781725289550, 1725289555, 9781725289567, 1725289563, 1725289571
- Resource ID: LLS:9781725289574
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T17:20:00Z
Irene Alexander has a background in psychology, missions, and tertiary education, and is an Honorary Research Fellow of Trinity College Queensland.
Irene has taught counseling and spiritual companioning related courses in Brisbane, Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Irene is adjunct faculty at Asian Theological Seminary in Manila, and is part of Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor. She has written several books, (Dancing with God; How Relationships Work; Awakening Desire), mostly in the interface between spirituality and psychology, and is a grandmother.
Christopher Brown is qualified in psychology, social policy, and social work, and is an Honorary Research Fellow of Trinity College Queensland. Chris taught social work at the University of Queensland (twenty-five years), and counseling/spiritual companioning at Christian Heritage College (twelve years). Now semi-retired, he offers spiritual direction (for the past twenty-three years), supervision, and formation of spiritual directors. He has written a number of articles on Christian spirituality and spiritual direction, and is the author of several books including Guiding Gideon: Awakening to Life and Faith.