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Full Description
The local church in the United States is at a crossroads. Declining attendance, aging congregations, and costly buildings are compounded by deep divisions over issues like sexuality, gender, race, and immigration. Generational gaps have widened, and many congregations lack diversity, becoming politically homogenous and fragmented. Amid these tensions, the sense that something is profoundly wrong is palpable.
Mending the Fracturing Church offers a way forward, inviting churches to confront and navigate the issues that divide them. By addressing relational challenges such as biases, communication styles, and conflict dynamics, this book provides tools to understand and respond to the cultural and theological polarization affecting so many congregations. Each chapter combines theological reflection, insights from social and cognitive psychology, and stories from real congregations. Group exercises and step-by-step guides help leaders put these insights into practice, transforming theory into action.
With a focus on connection, trust, and belonging, this book provides the tools to help churches build stronger relationships, engage their communities more effectively, and embrace a renewed vision for thriving together.
Contents
Introduction
Is the Church Irrevocably Fracturing?
Chapter One
Discovering Relationships Hidden Under Bylaws & Constitutions
Chapter Two
Into the Unknown
Chapter Three
Excavating the Minefield We Didn't Know Was
Chapter Four
Ain't No People Like Church People
Chapter Five
Research to Disprove Confirmation Bias Confirmed I Was Right All Along
Chapter Six
Change is Like Death, But It Doesn't Have to Be
Chapter Seven
I'll Commit to the Trust Fall Right After You
Chapter Eight
You're Gonna Need More than Water, Food & Shelter
Chapter Nine
Maybe the Greatest Thing to Fear is How We View Others
Chapter Ten
Why Are You The Way That You Are?
Chapter Eleven
The Greatest Single Cause of Atheism in the World Today is Political Idolatry
Chapter Twelve
Project Strength To Avoid Conflict—Peace Through Superior Firepower
Chapter Thirteen
Ground Control to Major Tom
Chapter Fourteen
How To Be Here, Here
Chapter Fifteen
Okay, Boomer!
Chapter Sixteen
Congregations That Play Together, Stay Together
Conclusion
The Thriving Church
Bibliography
About the Author
