Re-Pitching the Tent: Re-Ordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission [Paperback]

Richard Giles (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Pr; Rev Exp edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814627099
• ISBN-13: 978-0814627099
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #745,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For churches that really want to re-pitch their tent!, May 23, 2000

By 

Ronald A. McCreery - See all my reviews

This review is from: Re-Pitching the Tent: Re-Ordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission (Paperback)

"Re-pitching the Tent, reordering the church building for worship and mission" is not just a good book for those who want to re-design, or design, their worship space - it's a great book. Written by an Englishman, Richard Giles, it is primarily for liturgical churches, but can be used by any worshipping Christian community. It is liberally illustrated with many color pictures and written in an open, sprightly, and sometimes bitingly observant manner. Our church, an Episcopal Church, is using it to re-evaluate our worship space. A member of the committee charged with leading this re-evaluation said in a recent meeting that she hated reading religious books, books on architecture, and books on church history. She went on to say that this book fit all three categories and was absolutely fantastic, and that every member of the congregation should read it! If you fit the re-evaluation category, get it. You won't regret this great process in re-pitching your worship space!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunate Purhase, July 1, 2009

By 

B. McFarland (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Re-Pitching the Tent: Re-Ordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission (Paperback)

As an architect involved in the design of sacred spaces, I am extraordinarily disappointed. "Re-ordering" should be replaced by Dis-ordering". Insufficient appreciation of liturgical forms veiled behind an appeal to primitivism is an old and not very sustainable saw.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Even traditionalists will learn a thing or two!, May 7, 2002

By 

Fr. Robert F. Lyons "Priest / Sci-Fi Buff" (Bargersville, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Re-Pitching the Tent: Re-Ordering the Church Building for Worship and Mission (Paperback)

Richard Giles' "Re-Pitching the Tent" will be a read that is very intimidating to the traditional Anglican/Catholic/Lutheran who is used to (and attached to!) the traditional Sanctuary, Chancel, Choir, Nave arrangement of our Churches. The Parish I pastor meets in a small space, so making the most of what we have is important. Giles shows us through his insight ways of making your space count, and how to arrange for worship in such a manner that we express a theology that highlights the participation of the people of the Congregation while still having a very distinct president of the Assembly to lead the Liturgy.

Not all traditionalists will find themseves warming to his ideas at once, but I think, when they compare this book to the modes of the early Church, they may well find some use for the author's suggestions. I know our parish did!