How does the local church rise to the community engagement challenges of the current context, as we face major socio-cultural change, accelerated by the global pandemic, amidst deeply polarized societies? Just asking the same old “church questions,” such as how to fill empty pews, is no longer enough. We have to ask the “God questions,” such as how God is already at work in our local neighborhoods.What does it take for local churches to engage in more mutually respectful ways with our neighbors and local organizations? This book offers theoretical and theological reflections, distils wisdom from recent research and connects this with local case studies—which tell powerful stories drawn from both the US and UK.The authors provide a vision of Christian community engagement which places God’s reconciling work at the center. Successive chapters address the full spectrum of how congregations engage their communities—from meeting felt needs, to raising awareness, to advocating for change, to organizing with multiple organizational partners and community residents. This book resources congregational and non-profit leaders, in rural, suburban, and urban settings, to listen more deeply to the people in their local context, and to unearth new treasure together.
