A guide to communal life. Completely revised.
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Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jean Vanier's Community and Growth sheds such light on the topic of community. The richness flows from years of keen observation, experience, reflection, and prayer on this issue. Vanier has lived and breathed community, not just studied it. Humility and grace flow from each page. Vanier's servant leadership in the l'Arche communities is a wonderful living witness to the world of what Christian love looks like fleshed out. A real strength in this book is Vanier's insight into human nature. Even as Christians we are a mixture of light and darkness. But God's grace shines through when we accept others as they are. Yet at the same time, the community beckons each individual member to grow more Christlike. This book teaches us how to live in any kind of community: the home, church, small group, or any gathering. Vanier writes that a true community "provides a sense of belonging and an orientation of life to a common goal and common witness" (p.10). With such clarity and perception Vanier paints a vivid picture of community for us: the importance of unity, forgiveness, mission, selflessness, communication, celebration, humility, and respect for authority. Community and Growth helps us along the journey of "life together." There are some books that are to be read once. And there are others to be read and reread. This book invites us to return to it over and over--like an old friend.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The profound wisdom in this book is born out of a lifetime of growth in the context of Christian community with the poor that Jean Vanier has been immersed in for almost 40 years. This book is not only interested in giving structural and personal tips for creating a healthy and God-centered community; it actually is like Jean Vanier's manifesto in terms of his paradigm of why community life is important and how God teaches special and beautiful things in the context of communities. He is such an effective writer. He is able to exhort the reader to want to pursue community life, but without being overly idealistic and ignoring the many complex difficulties that arise. Jean exhorts the reader to pursue community life not because it will be easy and always meet all our needs, but because it brings tremendous growth and because God's love and calling are bigger than the problems that come up in community. This is the best book I have ever read on community, and I will likely read it again.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Vanier takes an in-depth look at community life and living through his experiences with the L'Arche community in France.
This Biblically-based book offers excellent insights, tips, rules and suggestions for how to build a healthy community.
The book is a wonderful primer for anyone considering the possibility of living in Christian community.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Deep Respect for Community
Vanier's classic brilliantly demonstrates his faith that selfless love is at the heart of genuine community life. Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. K. Glidden
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good resource for developing your community
This book reads like a blog about the nature and development of community. If you are interested in how communities work, how to grow and develop community, or just want to think... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jeremy Myers
3.0 out of 5 stars
creepy response from actual experience
I have an early version of this book published in 1979. It was used for discussion of leadership with a group at a church in Minneapolis. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bruce P. Barten
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading!
I have read this book every year since I first read it in 1984. This book is a must read for all those who want to live in community with others.
Published on February 4, 2011 by Neil Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Jean Vanier shares the wisdom of years of experience in community and the sound reasoning of a Doctor of Philosophy. Read more
Published on January 23, 2011 by William B K
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Buy!
This book was just as the vendor advertised it--no markings, like new. I received it in less time than I expected. I will buy from this vendor again.
Published on January 22, 2011 by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Community Life
This book helps me to understand more how to build up the community life.
This is an excellent book for any community learning to accept and live together as a good... Read more
This is an excellent book for any community learning to accept and live together as a good... Read more
Published on November 9, 2006 by Quang Le Trinh
5.0 out of 5 stars
I can't put it in a short phrase...
I read this book about 15 years ago and am going through it again now. It could use some editing, in my opinion. He goes over certain topics again and again. Read more
Published on May 1, 2006 by DKDC
5.0 out of 5 stars
this is the "bible" for living in community
if you think the answer to Y2K is going through endless lines of computer code looking for "99" then you probably would not be interested in this book. Read more
Published on January 25, 1999 by martinsloveworks@yahoo.com
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