Small Christian Communities Today: Capturing the New Moment (Paperback)

~ Joseph G. Healey (Editor), Jeanne Hinton (Editor) "Base Christian Communities (BCCs) have been recognized in Bolivia, as in other Latin American countries, as a source of joy and hope, and as a..." (more)
Key Phrases: initiation ministry, doing initiation, small faith communities, United States, Catholic Church, Small Christian Community (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (October 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157075618X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570756184
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #853,201 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Faith-Sharing Groups around the World, October 11, 2005

By	Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In 1991, the editors met at the first international gathering of small Christian communities (SCCs) as part of the African and European delegations. Since then, both have been heavily involved in SCC work on the local, national, and international level. In 2003 they began planning this work, with the support of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the cardinal archbishop of Westminster, England, and the commitment of SCC leaders throughout the world.

The contributors, men and women, ordained, religious, and lay, represent a variety of denominations. Together, their voices give evidence of what the editors call a "prophetic moment, challenging the Christian churches to new ways of being and living church and new ways of ministry and service." They provide snapshots of faith-sharing communities in Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, touching on such topics as diocesan training, the role of small groups in adult initiation and youth ministry, and promoting SCCs via the Internet. In addition, the editors offer suggestions for using this work in an SCC and extend permission to make photocopies for that purpose.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Way of Being Church, November 23, 2007

By	Xavier Thelakkatt (Rush City, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book on Small Christian Communities attracted by special attention, since I have been a facilitator of those during my ministry in India. It is my firm faith that such Small Communities is the future way of being Church. I was delighted to see my faith being articulated much more clearly and forcefully in the different articles in the book. The editors have pooled together a wealth of information from different continents and cultures.

The book is composed of 26 articles divided into six parts with a very personal forward by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor. The representatives from different cultures capture the life and spirit of their respective Communities. In each culture they work a little differently and, at the same time, one is astonished to see how similar they are. Each community can learn from the other a lot; therefore twinning of communities, also suggested in the book, opens up newer avenues. The various attempts at bringing together the Small Christian Communities through internet are also discussed. In the contemporary world of communication explosion online Communities could also become a reality.

This book is a timely contribution to the Christian ministry in the twenty-first century. Across the world people are looking for a new Pentecost in our Christian churches, and it is going to happen through small communities rather than mega churches. This book provides the basic tools for that renewal.