The Formative Power of Your Congregation

Rev. Dr. Christina Jones Davis is the Clinical Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). Dr. Davis’ research and teaching interests focus on spiritually integrated counseling, substance abuse and addiction, and relational psychoanalytic theory. Professor Davis has taught courses including Foundations of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Womanist Pastoral Theology, Theological Perspectives on Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Social & Cultural Dimensions of Counseling, Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy, and Psychodynamic Family Therapy. An ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Church, Dr. Davis also holds a Th.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Emory University Candler School of Theology where she was bestowed with the W.E.B. DuBois Noomo Award for Academic Excellence. In addition to teaching, Dr. Davis maintains a clinical practice as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Rev. Tim Shapiro is the president of the Center for Congregations in Indiana. He has served as pastor at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Indiana and Ohio respectively. He is the author of How Your Congregation Learns: The Learning Journey from Challenge to Achievement (R&L/Alban Books, 2017, over $45K net sales LTD). Shapiro is also the co-author of Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message (R&L/Alban Books, 2017) and Divergent Church: The Bright Promise of Alternative Faith Communities (Abingdon Press, 2017). As a keynote speaker at events sponsored by the Church Music Institute, the Christian Reformed Church, the Pentecostal Faith of the Apostolic Church, and for the Wabash Valley Presbytery, he has shared what the Center for Congregations is learning about congregational life from some 5,000 congregations Indiana. He is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary earning a M.Div. degree as well as a D.Min. He holds a certificate in Positive Deviance from Tufts University.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Framework

Human Development

Why This Book Matters To Us

The Primary Purpose of Congregations

Real Life Examples

Beyond Practical

The Formative Process

Questions for Reflection

Part I: Conceptual Understandings and the Curriculum Framework

Chapter 1: A Contextual Theology of Congregational Life

A Contextual Ecclesiology

A Contextual Practical Theology

Womanist Theology: A Model of Contextual, Practical Theology

A Practical Ecclesiology

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 2: Life Arenas

The Reality of Monday

Lifeworlds and Life Arenas

Life Arenas

Different Selves

Being Seen

Unlimited Conversation

Ultimate Concerns

Formative Assets

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 3: Congregational Practices

Introduction

Defining Congregational Practices

Musical Congregational Practices and Identity

Life Together

Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer and Congregational Practices

The Shadow Side of Congregational Formation

A Formative Theory of God

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 4: Trail Markers: How We Know When We Grow

Attachment

Emotional Regulation

Self-Differentiation

Initiative

Competence

Authority

Integration

Transcendence

Contemporary and Pastoral Reflections on Human Development

Part II: Stories of Formation

Chapter 5: Forming People of Racial Reconciliation

Two Congregations

The Life Arena of Social Justice

Attachment as Mutual Trust

The Trail Marker of Integration

The Power of Religious Conversation

The Trail Marker of Self-Regulation

Liminal Experiences

Pilgrimages as Congregational Activities

With Authority

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 6: Forming People of Connection

The Life Arena of Friendships

Making Pies

Five Trail Markers

Even Jesus Needs Friends

Formative Power is Overdetermined

Going Underground

Formative Impact

Impact Quotes

Postlude

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 7: Forming a Creative Congregation

Why Grow Creativity?

Cognition

Emotional Regulation

Attachment

Identity

Why Form a Creative Congregation?

Transcendence

Connection

Theological Reflection

Diversity

Social Change

Who is Witherspoon Presbyterian Church?

Witherspoon’s Formative Project

How Was the Pastor Formed?

Case Study Reflections

Trail Markers

Life Arenas

Congregational Practices

Questions for Reflection

Chapter 8: Formative Power Imagined – A Case Study and Project Guide

A Beginning

Congregation Implements Their Formative Process

Intergenerational Meet-ups Spark Connections and Conversations

News of the Day Events Spark Reflection and Dialogue

Fellowship Meals Unpack Experiences and Growth

Diverse Reactions and Growth Opportunities

Refocusing and Moving Forward

What About Your Congregation?

The Formative Power of Your Congregation: A Guide

Life Arena Examples

Congregational Query

Partial List of Congregational Practices

Connecting Life Arena and Congregational Practice

Trail Markers

Chapter 9: Transforming Individuals, Transforming Communities

Key Themes

You Are Invited

A Vision for the Future

Questions for Reflection

Bibliography

Index

About the Authors