From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations [Paperback]

Diana Butler Bass (Editor), Joseph Stewart-Sicking (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2005

In The Practicing Congregation (Alban, 2004), Diana Butler Bass explored the phenomenon of "intentional congregations," an emerging style of congregational vitality in which churches creatively and intentionally re-appropriate traditional Christian practices such as hospitality, discernment, contemplative prayer, and testimony. Against the steady flow of stories highlighting "mainline decline," The Practicing Congregation suggested that there is a new and often overlooked renaissance occurring in mainline Protestant churches.

The success of The Practicing Congregation made it clear that the next step was to provide examples that would illustrate the concepts laid out in that initial work. In From Nomads to Pilgrims, the editors continue to build this narrative, gathering specific stories of congregational vitality and transformation from participants in their research at the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice, a Lilly Endowment Inc. funded study at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Including stories from a variety of faith traditions across the U.S., From Nomads to Pilgrims explores:

- how intentional congregations develop
- how they negotiate the demands of interpreting traditional Christian practices in a postmodern culture
- how these practices lead to congregational and personal transformation.

Each chapter is an instructive case study, illustrating a unique expression of the vitality experienced by a congregation that intentionally reclaims a traditional Christian practice. The pastors who have been involved in these congregations’ stories share their practical wisdom gained through the experience of leading these churches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diana Butler Bass directs the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. She is the author of The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church (Alban Institute, 2004).

Joseph Stewart-Sicking is the project associate for the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice, where he conducts field research on vital mainline Protestant congregations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Alban Institute (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566993237
• ISBN-13: 978-1566993234
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diana Butler Bass was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. For as long as she can remember, she's been interested in religion, history, and politics--the passions she intertwines in her books and writing. She holds a Ph.D. in American religious history from Duke University. After a dozen years teaching undergraduates, she became a full-time writer, lecturer, educator and consultant. Her work has been cited in the national media, including USA TODAY and the Washington Post, and she has appeared on CNN, FOX, PBS, and on Air America and NPR. For five years, she wrote a weekly feature on American religion for the New York Times syndicate. She currently blogs for Beliefnet at Progressive Revival and is a contributing editor at Sojourners magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some excellent ideas, May 11, 2006

By 

Susan Fiore (Verona, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations (Paperback)

Our entire parish has been reading this book together. Some of the practices the author describes are exciting to think about adopting. I am especially grateful to note that these practices are rooted in Christian tradition rather than church-marketing strategies. The greatest danger to mainline denominations today is striving to increase membership at the cost of faithfulness to the Gospel. The things that bring crowds into churches are not necessarily of God. Jesus wasn't popular in First Century Palestine, and faithfulness to the Gospel today can make Christians unpopular with those whose definition of Christianity has more to do with personal success and achievement than with compassion and sacrifice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT companion to Christianity for the Rest of Us, June 4, 2009

By 

Samuel B. Troxal "stroxal" (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations (Paperback)

This book is a GREAT companion to Christianity for the Rest of Us. These books are really inspiring me (and my congregation).

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking, August 14, 2006

By 

Timothy L. Mccollum "timthecleric" (canton, ohio united states) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations (Paperback)

After reading this book, I felt a renewed vigor for creating new hope and new ideas in my own church. I cannot say that I would use of these ideas specifically (they don't really fit my church), understanding the struggles and challenges of starting new things is vital. This book allows us to see the trials and the joys of successful idea planting and I really appreciate the way it is compiled and the submissions that were chosen.