The Prodigal Project [Paperback]

Cathy Kirkpatrick (Author), Mark Pierson (Author), Mike Riddell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2000

At last, written by and for those who love God but struggle to belong to the church, comes a book which breathes excitement and hope. Why, the authors ask, are Christians across the Western world leaving the church in such alarming numbers? Could it be that God is using discontent to nudge us towards change? The Prodigal Project argues passionately that we need to revitalise our worship, our spirituality and our theology if the church is to remain faithful in the third millennium. Mark Riddell, Mark Pierson and Cathy Kirkpatrick have discovered in 'alternative worship' a movement which is culturally relevant, creative and community-based. Here mystery encounters multi-media, the radical is infused with the old and familiar, the traditional and contemporary are combined. The ideas and resources contained in the Project explode into spectacular life when viewed on the accompanying CD-ROM, which contains music, video, animations and extras.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Riddell, author of Threshold of the Future (SPCK, 1998) is a theologian, freelance writer and speaker, based in New Zealand. He was previously lecturer in Practical Theology at Carey Baptist College and Otago University, and has written several other books. His thinking has been influenced by his years in urban mission work in Central Auckland and his involvement in the alternative worship movement.

Mark Pierson is minister of Cityside Baptist Church in central Auckland, and initiator of Parallel Universe, a widely respected alternative worship venture (described in some detail in Threshold of the Future.)

Cathy Kirkpatrick is one of the prime movers behind CafU Church, a new worship venture in the community of Glebe in central Sydney. She has extensive experience in graphic design, including CD-ROM production, and has worked on projects such as the Shaping a Future resource from the National Church Life Survey in Sydney.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: SPCK Publishing (April 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0281052506
• ISBN-13: 978-0281052509
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 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: #1,492,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to alt.worship, June 14, 2001

By 

"rushan" (Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prodigal Project (Paperback)

This book is one of the best around for anyone interested in setting up an alternative worship service/experience. The companion CD-Rom has loads of useful resources and suggestions to help. I would recommend this book to anyone who knows they are unhappy with "trad" worship but don't know how to go about exploring alternatives to the old forms of worship.

5.0 out of 5 stars How to start alt worship - very practical, good stories, March 31, 2010

By 

Darren Cronshaw (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prodigal Project (Paperback)

Michael Riddell, Mark Pierson and Cathy Kirkpatrick The Prodigal Project: Journey into the Emerging Church (London: SPCK, 2001)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

While more and more prodigals do not go to church any more and some who do go find it boring and disconnected to life, these alt.worship practitioners describe their journey of discovering authentic ways of encountering the adventurous God. They obviously love creativity, community and culture, and have tried new things and learned some lessons about bringing those elements into worship. From their experiences with Parallel Universe in New Zealand and Glebe Café Church in Sydney they describe the features of emerging culture that alt.worship connects with: relationality, participation, spirituality, holism, multimedia, play and immediacy. Rather than `run a show for others' they suggest creating space for yourself and some friends, starting small, sharing stories over food, laughing and praying, artistically providing space for people to experience God, and seeing what develops. Further resources are available on the wonderfully creative CD that comes with the book. See also Riddell's Threshold of the Future: Reforming the Church in the Post-Christian West (London: SPCK, 1998).

Originally appeared in Darren Cronshaw, `The Emerging Church: Introductory Reading Guide', Zadok Papers, S143 (Summer 2005).