For insightful understanding of the emerging church movement, all of Diana Butler Bass’ books are strongly recommended.  Many in the parish have already read Christianity for the Rest of Us. And some have read A People’s History of the Church as well as Imagining the New and Old Church.  Dr. Bass explores the recent phenomenon of the emerging church and historic church to discern the characteristics of growing, energized churches in complex cultural environments.

In their book The Hospitality of God, Bishops Mary Gray-Reeves and Michael Perham share their understanding of  emerging churches in the Anglican communion.  Specifically Bishops Mary and Michael investigated 16 emerging Anglican churches (8 in the UK and 8 in the United  States).  Their writings have been useful input for  the Committee on Growth (COG)

Bishop Ernest Shalita traces his life journey in his autobiography From Goatskin to Woolen Suit.  Bihsop Shalita was raised in a home without a wooden floor and was first sent to school with a goatskin as his only piece of clothing.  He would later be instrumental, as Dean of the Cathedral in Kampala, Uganda, in negotiating the difficult relationship between the Church of Uganda and the dictator Idi Amin.  Bishop Shalita witness phenomenal growth in the church.  In his diocese the number of churches grew from 3 congregations to over 140 churches during his ministry as bishop.  Bishop Shalita’s ministry has always placed a priority of reaching out to the marginalized in society.  Particularly significant was Bishop Shalita’s inclusion of Pygmy people into the life of the church and the building of orphanages and schools. All of these books will be available at our Coffee Hour book table.  See Al Reetz or Patrick Dexter.