DESCRIPTION
How might a church infused with missional theology change the way it approaches Christian practices?In this innovative book Benjamin Conner interacts both with the missional theology of George Hunsberger and Darrell Guder and with the theology of Christian practices laid out by Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass as he argues that bringing these two disciplines into dialogue with one another can empower the church's witness, enhance its congregational discipleship, and enliven its theological education.
Framing his discussion with real-world narratives and applications inspired by his ministry to adolescents with special needs, Conner shows how a practical missional mind-set can redefine and reinvigorate the spirit and purpose of a congregation.
REVIEWS
George R. Hunsberger
— Western Theological Seminary
"Combine equal parts of ecclesial practices and missional theology. Add Conner and stir. Bake for a few hours. Voila! Bread of renewal for the churches!"
Craig Dykstra
— Senior Vice President, Religion
Lilly Endowment Inc.
"Practicing Witness is a significant new contribution to contemporary practical theology and Christian ministry. The conversation between the 'missional theology' and the 'Christian practices' approaches to Christian faith, life, church, and mission that Ben Conner both advocates and launches in this book is very promising and long overdue. I am honored and grateful to have my own theological work taken so seriously here. I learned a lot from Conner's full, rich, and accurate rendering of it and from his promptings to make its implicit missional and ecclesial dimensions more explicit. This is an important and excellent book."
Religious Studies Review
"A thoughtful book. . . . This is a vital missional spirituality to read."
Reviews in Religion and Theology
"Conner's work is a helpful example of how missional theology and practical theology can work together in addressing issues of discipleship in today's culture."
Religious Studies Review
"Hovey has provided an engaging work that fluently brings philosophy, theology, and ethics into conversation with one another, and which thoughtfully conceptualizes Christian testimony in the wake of modernity."
Reviews in Religion and Theology
"A fine book and a welcome contribution to scholarship."
Modern Believing
"A valuable work. Hovey writes with vigour and clarity."