Looking for more perspective or details on the Neighborhood Church?
Our own pastor writes Wired for Urgency, exploring the Neighborhood Church, discipleship, leadership, change, and more. It's less a collection of answers than an ongoing conversation about what the Spirit might be doing in our churches and neighborhoods—and how we might respond. Come read, reflect, and add your voice.
Books we dig (from our book studies)
The New Anabaptists by Stuart Murray
Looking for more on Anabaptism? Murray offers an accessible and engaging exploration of how the convictions of the historic Anabaptist movement might take shape in the church today. A great introduction for anyone curious about what a distinctly Anabaptist way of following Jesus might look like in our contemporary world.
Faithful Presence by David E. Fitch
An engaging and practical exploration of how Christian community can take shape in a fragmented world. Fitch offers a vision for cultivating the presence of Christ through shared practices that move beyond the church gathering and into the neighborhood. A valuable read for congregations wondering what faithful presence might look like where they actually live.
Kingdom Conspiracy by Scot McKnight
As Kingdom of God people, we find this text to be quite informative in understanding what the Kingdom is and how it is developed.
How God Became King by NT Wright
A transformational read that challenges the ways we’ve reduced the Gospels to a message they weren’t primarily written to tell. Wright invites us to recover their larger story: how, through Jesus, God became King and inaugurated his Kingdom on earth. A compelling journey toward hearing the Gospels again on their own terms.
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
An accessible and deeply human exploration of the Gospel of grace and the unconditional love of God. Manning challenges our instinct to earn what God has already freely given, inviting us instead to receive grace as we actually are. A foundational read for anyone who struggles to believe that God’s love really is that good.
Gifts of the Dark Wood by Eric Elnes
An approachable read that challenges the modern assumption that the Dark Wood is a place to be avoided. Elnes offers a paradigm for seeing uncertainty, struggle, and disorientation not simply as obstacles to overcome, but as places where God may be encountered. A helpful read for anyone seeking purpose within the contexts and circumstances they did not choose.
Looking for more on Anabaptism? Murray offers an accessible and engaging exploration of how the convictions of the historic Anabaptist movement might take shape in the church today. A great introduction for anyone curious about what a distinctly Anabaptist way of following Jesus might look like in our contemporary world.
Faithful Presence by David E. Fitch
An engaging and practical exploration of how Christian community can take shape in a fragmented world. Fitch offers a vision for cultivating the presence of Christ through shared practices that move beyond the church gathering and into the neighborhood. A valuable read for congregations wondering what faithful presence might look like where they actually live.
Kingdom Conspiracy by Scot McKnight
As Kingdom of God people, we find this text to be quite informative in understanding what the Kingdom is and how it is developed.
How God Became King by NT Wright
A transformational read that challenges the ways we’ve reduced the Gospels to a message they weren’t primarily written to tell. Wright invites us to recover their larger story: how, through Jesus, God became King and inaugurated his Kingdom on earth. A compelling journey toward hearing the Gospels again on their own terms.
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
An accessible and deeply human exploration of the Gospel of grace and the unconditional love of God. Manning challenges our instinct to earn what God has already freely given, inviting us instead to receive grace as we actually are. A foundational read for anyone who struggles to believe that God’s love really is that good.
Gifts of the Dark Wood by Eric Elnes
An approachable read that challenges the modern assumption that the Dark Wood is a place to be avoided. Elnes offers a paradigm for seeing uncertainty, struggle, and disorientation not simply as obstacles to overcome, but as places where God may be encountered. A helpful read for anyone seeking purpose within the contexts and circumstances they did not choose.
podcasts & Other resources
Leaving Egypt by Alan Roxburgh & Jenny Sinclair
This podcast is a series of conversations about the modern church, the great "unwinding," and what it means to be faithful in a new place (one we've never been before).
Into the Gray by Benjamin R. Cremer
A series of Anabaptist(ish) conversations at the intersection of politics and Christianity.
This podcast is a series of conversations about the modern church, the great "unwinding," and what it means to be faithful in a new place (one we've never been before).
Into the Gray by Benjamin R. Cremer
A series of Anabaptist(ish) conversations at the intersection of politics and Christianity.