{"product_id":"community-as-church-church-as-community-paperback","title":"Community as Church, Church as Community - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMichael Plekon\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eJason Byassee\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParishes of all denominations are in decline, shrinking, closing, dying. We know that there are increasing numbers, young and older, who are religious \"\"nones\"\" and \"\"dones.\"\" This book explores why the decline is taking place, why the distancing is going on. But it goes on to examine parishes from all over the country and from various church bodies that are resurrecting. The central theme of death and resurrection shapes the analysis of parishes covered. Parishes are resurrecting by reinventing their ministries, by repurposing their building to better serve their neighborhoods, thus replanting and reconnecting with them. All of this is the Spirit's doing but through the community of sisters and brothers who make up each congregation of faith. Community as the core of church is the other reality shaping the book's reflection. And community, a parish being with those around, living for more than its own survival are visions for going forward. Other aspects of congregational life are also examined, most importantly the pastors--how they serve when budgets shrink, how they are trained, how pastors act with the community not above it. No recipes are suggested for parish resurrection, but the stories of the parishes that have revived bear within numerous lessons for us in the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMichael Plekon is Professor Emeritus, Baruch College of The City University of New York. He has served forty years as a priest in both the Western and Eastern churches and has authored numerous publications including \u003ci\u003eThe World as Sacrament, Uncommon Prayer, Saints as They Really Are, Hidden Holiness\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLiving Icons\u003c\/i\u003e, among others.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 272\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.62 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 22, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44289577910374,"sku":"9781725287532","price":46.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/7255\/0758\/files\/RElFWEdLRzJTV0duMUlQb0tBUnZ0UT09.webp?v=1766770995","url":"https:\/\/infinitylightwa.com\/products\/community-as-church-church-as-community-paperback","provider":"Infinity Light","version":"1.0","type":"link"}