Be Not Afraid! Building Your Church on Faith and Knowledge [Paperback]

Fredric M. Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2005

In this in-depth study of eight diverse mainline Protestant congregations, anthropologist Fredric Roberts finds that when local congregations are evaluated by spiritual and religious standards instead of corporate- or pop-culture-based values there remains much to celebrate. Roberts recommends that congregations work to discover their own uniqueness and to build upon the strength that already exist among its own members. Be Not Afraid! is a guide to help congregations rediscover their true calling to be nurturing faith communities, committed to spreading the good news and making disciples.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Robert's insights and penetrating questions offer an opportunity for congregations to know and appreciate who they are . . . ." -- Pastor James A. Schalkhauser, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lansing, Michigan

"This book challenges us to base our future decisions as the church out of faith, not fear." -- Pastor Dennis M. Bux, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Auburn Hills, Michigan

About the Author

Fredric Roberts is associate professor of anthropology at Michigan State University, where his teaching focuses on religion in North America, research methodologies, and writing about culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Alban Inst (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566993156
• ISBN-13: 978-1566993159
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,029,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by Corbin Davis, Lansing, Michigan, April 24, 2005

By 

Corbin Davis (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Not Afraid! Building Your Church on Faith and Knowledge (Paperback)

The fear referred to in the title of this book is the fear of failure. Alarmed by volumes of prediction of the impending doom of mainline Protestant congregations, our churches are increasingly tempted to apply worldly (corporate/business) measures of success when looking to the future. "Why aren't we growing?" "How will we pay the mortgage?" "What are our goals?" Our fears about those questions can cause us to concentrate upon solutions for "growing" our membership, as if swelling membership rolls and larger operating budgets have become ends rather than means.
Dr. Roberts provides a welcome antidote. His message is that first you must learn who you are, what you believe and how you serve. Then, by emphasizing its strengths and gifts and its uniqueness as a counter-cultural institution, your congregation may, regardless of its size or influence, become a vibrant community of praise, prayer and caring.

5.0 out of 5 stars Success for traditional protestant churches, April 18, 2005

By 

Barbara A. Beasley "book reviewer" (Portland, Or USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be Not Afraid! Building Your Church on Faith and Knowledge (Paperback)

Dr. Roberts gives us the benefit of his years of research but this book is readable for anyone interested in religious congregations. The book is open and encourages the reader to participate in the dialog. This material will assist us in understanding the dynamics and values of congregations. I recommend buying this book and studying it to expand your understanding of the modern congregation.