Invisible Divides: Class, culture and barriers to belonging in the Church
Ebook
Overview
We’re called to be like Jesus, not like each other – so why are most Western churches predominantly middle class? Could it be that we’re reaching out to people in poverty, but struggling to connect them into church life?
Natalie Williams and Paul Brown know all too well that those saved from working-class backgrounds often find themselves discipled effectively – but into middle classism rather than authentic Christianity. Drawing on their own experiences, and mixing theory with practical application, they explore the invisible divides that prevent churches from becoming places of true inclusion and keep poor and working-class people on the edges of faith.
Packed full of surprising insights and helpful advice, Invisible Divides will change the way you see church life. Essential reading for anyone concerned with the class divide within the church, it will challenge you to look at the ways in which we inadvertently exclude, alienate and offend people who aren’t like us, and equip you to start working towards making church a more open, inclusive space for everyone.
Jesus calls for us all to follow him, no matter our background; together, we can break down the invisible divides between us so that people from all walks of life can come to know Christ and find family in our churches.
Contents
Acknowledgements vii
Part 1
IS CLASS AN ISSUE? Introduction 3
1 The missing class 17
2 The call to discipleship 32
Part 2
DIFFERENT WAYS WE THINK AND ACT
3 Faith 43
4 Communication 52
5 Hospitality 61
6 Money and generosity 71
7 Community 80
8 Us and them: attitudes to authority 91
9 Motivations 100
10 Aspirations 108
Part 3
CHURCH LIFE
11 Diverse, not divided 121
12 Meetings 125
13 Leadership 138
Conclusion 151
About Jubilee+ 155
Notes 156
Bibliography 163
Invisible Divides is a book for this time. I found myself nodding in agreement at so many points, shocked at some observations and recognising echoes of how the church can ‘other’ working class people, often unwittingly. Natalie and Paul speak powerfully and honestly about the challenges in the church, and what we can do to correct some of our mistake. - Rosie Hopley ― Founder and former CEO of Beloved
"I have worked with Natalie and Paul for twenty years, witnessing first-hand all the ways in which they have learned to cross divides that other people don’t even see. I encourage you to read this book and to learn from their enormous store of wisdom. You will be inspired by their infectious passion and equipped by their practical know-how to cross those invisible divides too." - Phil Moore ― author of the Straight to the Heart series of Bible commentaries
If I were to cut myself in half, like a stick of rock, to reveal my greatest passions, you’d see the words; discipleship and prayer. Having read Invisible Divides, I was reminded again of the prophetic challenge of the church to recognise the many ways we need to develop community. As we emerge from our current challenges, there is a need for the church to have a honest conversation in these areas. This book is a must read especially for leaders looking to be stirred to the many challenges of how we serve, prophetically in community. New ways need to be found. The words contained in this book prompted me to pray and ask questions for my own area of ministry and I would invite readers to do the same. This book spoke powerful and simply to many areas and I’ll be coming back to this text again and again. This is needed for such a time as this. -- Adam May ― UK Director, Neighbourhood Prayer Network
- Title: Invisible Divides: Class, culture and barriers to belonging in the Church
- Authors: Paul Brown, Natalie Williams
- Publisher: SPCK Publishing
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Pages: 192
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9780281085217, 0281085218
- Resource ID: LLS:9780281085217
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2026-02-01T11:17:49Z