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Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People
Called to Community The Life Jesus Wants for His People Author:Charles E. Moore (Compiler) Why, in an age of connectivity, are our lives more isolated and fragmented than ever? And what can be done about it? The answer lies in the hands of God’s people. Increasingly, today’s Christians want to be the church, to follow Christ together in daily life. — From every corner of society, the... more »y are daring to step away from the status quo and respond to Christ’s call to share their lives more fully with one another and with others. As they take the plunge, they are discovering the rich, meaningful life that Jesus has in mind for all people, and pointing the church back to its original calling: to be a gathered, united community that demonstrates the transforming love of God.
Of course, such a life together with others isn’t easy. The selections in this volume are, by and large, written by practitionersâpeople who have pioneered life in intentional community and have discovered in the nitty-gritty of daily life what it takes to establish, nurture, and sustain a Christian community over the long haul.
Whether you have just begun thinking about communal living, are already embarking on sharing life with others, or have been part of a community for many years, the pieces in this collection will encourage, challenge, and strengthen you. The book’s fifty-two chapters can be read one a week to ignite meaningful group discussion.
Introduction / Charles E. Moore --
Part I A Call to Community --
The Great Idea / Fyodor Dostoyevsky --
Blessed Community / Rufus Jones --
Style of Life / Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt --
Embodiment / Gerhard Lohfink --
Brothers, Sisters / Hal Miller ; Joseph H. Hellerman --
Pentecost / C. Norman Kraus --
Christian Communism / Jose P. Miranda ; Helmut Gollwitzer --
A Visible Reality / Dietrich Bonhoeffer --
Counterculture / Howard A. Snyder --
The Way / Alden Bass --
Part II Forming Community --
A Vision / George MacDonald --
Life's Task / Eberhard Arnold --
It Takes Work / Charles E. Moore --
Communion / Jean Vanier --
Idealism / Dietrich Bonhoeffer --
Illusions / Arthur Katz ; Elizabeth O'Connor ; Jean Vanier --
Obstacles / Eberhard Arnold --
Poisons / C.S. Lewis ; Basilea Schlink --
Beyond Self / Jean Vanier --
Surrender / Arthur G. Gish --
The Center / Dietrich Bonhoeffer ; Friedrich Foerster --
God's Call / Henri J.M. Nouwen ; Jean Vanier --
Promises / Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove --
Part III Life in Community --
Love / Thomas Merton ; Søren Kierkegaard --
Deeds / Mother Teresa ; Jean Vanier ; John F. Alexander --
Vocation / John F. Alexander --
Acceptance / Jurgen Moltmann ; Adele J. Gonzalez --
Irritations / Anthony de Mello ; Roy Hession ; Thomas A. Kempis ; Eberhard Arnold --
Differences / Joan Chittister ; Henri J.M. Nouwen --
Conflict / David Janzen ; Jean Vanier --
Unity / Chiara Lubich ; Stephen B. Clark --
Dialogue / Elizabeth O'Connor ; Jean Vanier --
Leadership / Jean Vanier --
Submission / Richard J. Foster ; John F. Alexander --
Money / Jodi Garbison ; Jenny Duckworth --
Children / Charles E. Moore --
Family Values / Andy Crouch --
Solitude / Henri J.M. Nouwen ; Eberhard Arnold --
Transparency / Roy Hession ; Dietrich Bonhoeffer --
Repentance / Benedict of Nursia ; Johann Christoph Arnold ; J. Heinrich Arnold --
Forgiveness / Johann Christoph Arnold --
At Table / Leonardo Boff ; Dietrich Bonhoeffer --
Celebration / Jean Vanier ; Richard J. Foster --
Part IV Beyond the Community --
Revolution / John M. Perkins --
Comfort Zones / Eugene H. Peterson ; Elton Trueblood --
Good Fences / Elizabeth Dede ; Jean Vanier --
Next Door / Charles E. Moore --
Interruptions / Emmanuel Katongole ; Chris Rice --
Hospitality / Christine D. Pohl --
Welcome / Jean Vanier --
Wounds / Catherine de Hueck Doherty ; Ed Loring --