Living into Community: Cultivating Practices that Sustain Us
Overview
Every church, every organization, has experienced them: betrayal, deception, grumbling, envy, exclusion. They make life together difficult and prevent congregations from developing the skills, virtues, and practices they need to nurture sturdy, life-giving communities. In Living into Community Christine Pohl explores four specific Christian practices—gratitude, promise-keeping, truth-telling, and hospitality—that can counteract those destructive forces and help churches and individuals build and sustain vibrant communities. Drawing on a wealth of personal and professional experience and interacting with the biblical, historical, and moral traditions, Pohl thoughtfully discusses each practice, including its possible complications and deformations, and points to how these essential practices can be better cultivated within communities and families.
Top Highlights
“They knew that their welcome had come at a great cost, and that to be members of God’s household, brothers and sisters of Jesus, they would need to practice the same kind of costly welcome. And so they welcomed one another into their homes when fleeing persecution or when traveling to share the gospel. They ate together regularly so that the poor would be fed and so that they could keep their new Christian identity alive in a hostile world (Acts 2:46).” (Page 161)
“How we live together is the most persuasive sermon we’ll ever get to preach.” (Page 2)
“reflection of a consumer mind-set that is always looking for a better deal? Are” (Page 20)
“The best testimony to the truth of the gospel is the quality of our life together. Jesus risked his reputation and the credibility of his story by tying them to how his followers live and care for one another in community (John 17:20–23).” (Page 2)
“Paul Tournier observed that ‘no gift can bring joy to the one who has a right to everything.’38” (Page 27)
- Title: Living into Community: Cultivating Practices that Sustain Us
- Author: Christine D. Pohl
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Christian life
- ISBNs: 9780802849854, 0802849857
- Resource ID: LLS:LVNGCMMNTYSSTNS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:25:07Z