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Faith in Community

Practices that Stengthen Churches and Neighborhoods

Faith in Community cover

Description

In the face of polarization and disconnection in American society, congregations remain vital for helping people create authentic community. This resource teaches pastors and church members how to strengthen their congregations through practices such as hospitality and small-group sharing and how to build up their neighborhoods through public service and faith-based community organizing. Stiltner provides inspiration and advice for Christians who still have hope for community.

Stiltner argues that America's deepest crisis is a crisis of community. Drawing on six years of research in six congregations, Stiltner shows how churches can help rebuild social trust and strengthen civic life. Faith in Community offers a hopeful call for congregations to be the communities that God calls them to be, which will make their local communities stronger in the process.

Community is fragile these days, sometimes even in congregations. Stiltner contends that, in the face of political polarization and eroded social trust, Christians need to be very intentional about how they build community. What's most important for doing so, both within the congregation and as the congregation reaches out, is nurturing relationships. With numerous examples from his research, Stiltner develops strategies for community building that are doable for any church.

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  • PDF/UA-2, 1.4
  • accessibility@bloomsbury.com

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The publication contains no hazards

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Has alternative text descriptions for images

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Crisis and the Call
1. Created to Belong: Theology and Ethics of Community
2. From “I” to “We”: Congregations as Community Builders
3. A Home Away from Home: Hospitality and Small Groups
4. Called to Be Sent: Discipleship and Mission
5. Love Thy Neighborhood: Service and Partnerships
6. Living a Public Vision: Dialoguing and Organizing
Conclusion: Sharing the Joy of Community
Appendix: Methods Used in this Study
Discussion Questions
For Further Study
About the Author
Notes

Product details

Published 15 Oct 2026
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Pages 224
ISBN 9798765167915
Imprint T&T Clark
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Brian Stiltner

Brian Stiltner is Professor of Theology and Religi…

Author

Brian Stiltner

Brian Stiltner is Professor of Theology and Religi…

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