A Church Drawing Near: Spirituality and Mission in a Post-Christian Culture

A Church Drawing Near: Spirituality and Mission in a Post-Christian Culture

by Dr. Paul Avis (Author)

Synopsis

The book begins by defining the core tasks (or mission) of the Church in biblical and theological terms, and then asks how these tasks can best be carried out in the conditions of modernity and post-modernity.Paul Avis describes and evaluates contemporary expressions of spirituality, drawing on many empirical studies; the functions of the Churchs occasional offices or rites of passage; the ways in which the Church and its ministers can engage constructively with the community and with civil society; the pastoral method in mission and its practical, policy consequences. Throughout the book Avis urges the imperative for the Church and its ministers to break out from the privatization of Christian values into full participation in contemporary social issues and public life.This book is an authoritative and interdisciplinary study of theology and practice: a much-needed applied theology of mission and ministry for today.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 240
Publisher: T & T Clark International
Published: 01 Jan 2004

ISBN 10: 0567089681
ISBN 13: 9780567089687

Media Reviews
'There is much here to provoke reflection....This book will speak to Church of England clergy who work with traditional conceptions of ministry and mission, and who seek an intellectual basis for its expression and development.' Mike McCoy, Journal of Theology for South Africa--Sanford Lakoff Journal Of Theology For Southern Africa
''Paul Avis is a prolific writer and is always worth reading. This is as true of this book as any other...a very worthwhile book.' Wesley Carr, Westminster Abbey, Ecclesiology--Sanford Lakoff
I would recommend this book to all those seeking to refresh their vision for parish ministry. To all those who wonder why we do what we do, this book provides some stimulating. Mark Hargreaves ANVIL Vol. 23 No. 4, 2006--Sanford Lakoff Anvil
The basic lines of Avis' theses are certainly straightforward, but the execution is highly elaborated and complex, which may be both the strength and the weakness of this very worthy piece of work...I found much encouragement and affirmation, as well as novelty and challenge, in these pages. I would recommend the book for serious pastors, for anyone interested in the interplay between faith and culture, and for those who might have misgivings about words like 'spirituality' or 'mission.' Avis shows that they can indeed be rehabilitated, as can we all. Anthony J. Gittins, Mission Studies, Fall 2007--Sanford Lakoff
Author Bio
Paul Avis is the General Secretary of the Church of England's Council for Christian Unity and convening editor of the journal Ecclesiology.