Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil

Theology and Practice

Christopher James

Uses a pioneering methodological approach by integrating sociological and theological perspectives
Offers practical proposals for churches rooted in robust theological reflection
Provides original data on churches that have recently been founded in Seattle, Washington

Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil

Theology and Practice

Christopher James

Description

National headlines regularly herald the decline of Christianity in the United States, citing historically low levels of confidence in organized religion, drops in church attendance, church closures, and the dramatic rise of the "Nones." Scarcely heard are stories from the thousands of new churches and new forms of church that are springing up each year across the country. In this book, Christopher James attends carefully to stories of ecclesial innovation taking place in Seattle, Washington-a city on the leading edge of trends shaping the nation as a whole. James's study of the new churches founded in this "post-Christian" city offers both theological reflection and pragmatic advice. After an in-depth survey- and -interview-based analysis of the different models of church-planting he encountered, James identifies five threads of practical wisdom: 1) embracing local identity and mission, 2) cultivating embodied, experiential, everyday spirituality, 3) engaging community life as means of witness and formation, 4) prioritizing hospitality as a cornerstone practice, and 5) discovering ecclesial vitality in a diverse ecclesial ecology. Stimulating, encouraging, and stereotype-shattering, this book invites readers to reconsider the narrative that portrays these first decades of the twenty-first century as a period of ecclesial death and decline, and to view our time instead as a hope-filled season of ecclesial renewal and rebirth.

Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil

Theology and Practice

Christopher James

Introduction: Looking for the Future of Church in the None Zone
Chapter One: The Lay of the Land: Seattle as a Future-Trending Context
Chapter Two: Surveying the Field
Chapter Three: Modeling Church
Chapter Four. Models of Practical Ecclesiology Among New
Chapter Five: Missional Theological Assessment
Chapter Six. Renewing Practice in the Models
Chapter Seven: Practical Wisdom from the Frontier of Faith

Notes
Appendix A. Research Methodology
Appendix B. New Seattle Churches Survey
Appendix C. Interview Guide
Interview Guide for Pastors
Selected Bibliography

Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil

Theology and Practice

Christopher James

Author Information

Christopher B. James is Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Missional Christianity at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, where he also directs the Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship.

Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil

Theology and Practice

Christopher James

Reviews and Awards

"Both theologically astute and empirically grounded - it is a rare combination, and it is that combination that allows Christopher James to draw practical wisdom from the experience of a diverse range of new Seattle churches. It is a story worth reading for anyone interested in the future shape of American congregations." --Nancy T. Ammerman, author of Pillars of Faith: American Congregations and Their Partners

"Among the very top works in its field to emerge in the past few years. It offers a major contribution to the fields of missiology, evangelism, ecclesiology, and theological ethnography."--The Reverend Christian Scharen, Vice President of Applied Research, The Center for the Study of Theological Education, Auburn Theological Seminary

"Seattle has been at the forefront in generating new forms of Church. Christopher James has produced an acute and nuanced study of the changing nature of churches in this important setting. This is a major contribution to the developing field of Ecclesiology and Ethnography and a must read for anyone interested in mission and the changing nature of the Church."--Pete Ward, Department of Theology and Religion, St. John's College, Durham University