The Congregation in A Secular Age
(Baker, 2020)
Churches often realize they need to change. But if they’re not careful, the way they change can hurt more than help.
In this culmination of his well-received Ministry in a Secular Age trilogy, leading practical theologian Andrew Root offers a new paradigm for understanding the congregation in contemporary ministry. He articulates why congregations feel pressured by the speed of change in modern life and encourages an approach that doesn’t fall into the negative traps of our secular age.
Living in late modernity means our lives are constantly accelerated, and calls for change in the church often support this call to speed up. Root asserts that the recent push toward innovation in churches has led to an acceleration of congregational life that strips the sacred out of time. Many congregations are simply unable to keep up, which leads to burnout and depression. When things move too fast, we feel alienated from life and the voice of a living God.
The Congregation in a Secular Age calls congregations to reimagine what change is and how to live into this future, helping them move from relevance to resonance.
PRAISE FOR THE CONGREGATION IN A SECULAR AGE:
“Required reading for the next generation of Christian leaders”
“Root is one of our leading practical theologians. In this book he continues his ongoing dialogue with Charles Taylor, providing us with a fascinating and timely exploration of time, church, and culture. Root clearly lays out the implications of thinking about time and speed and the ways in which we build communities, think about theology, and ultimately become more faithful disciples. A book well worth reading.”
—John Swinton, University of Aberdeen
“Root serves as a guide for current congregations often lost in the time and space of the wilderness of high modernity. He shows us how to suspend the relentless rush of time and points the church toward a path from our present captivity in the rat race of modernity to the life-giving vitality of the love of God. This book is required reading for the next generation of Christian leaders. Root provides a clear and resounding perspective on why and how the church matters in a secular age.”
—Pamela Ebstyne King, Thrive Center for Human Development, Fuller Theological Seminary
“The pressure is on to accomplish as much as we can, as quickly as we can, which generates a constant anxiety that fuels depression. Not only does this pressure terrorize the secular world, it also menaces the many congregations that are fighting for survival in the so-called secular age. This book offers a fresh, timely, and powerful reminder of the hope of all hopes–the one true hope–to which the gospel witnesses. As such, it made me a happier person, authentically so!”
—Andrew Torrance, University of St. Andrews
“Root is an expert reader of contemporary church life. He deftly distills complex philosophical, historical, and sociological scholarship and delivers what his readers need to know. And Root’s constructive proposals challenge churches and individuals to rethink their relationship to time and busyness. This book is a valuable resource to anyone who has the nagging feeling that there’s never enough time.”
—Ryan McAnnally-Linz, Yale Center for Faith and Culture